Follow the steps in our VMSDEP/Chapter 35 brochure or below to setup VMSDEP at JMU:

Step 1: Apply through the VMSDEP portal.

• More informatoin found on VMSDEP website link
• Follow their application deadline guidelines to ensure you are approved for the semester you want to start the benefit.
• The application process can take up to 45 business days to be fully approved. The Veteran AND the student must both be approved.
• The student's VMSDEP portal will show "application accepted" once approved. 
• Follow these steps for the term you want to start the benefit. Only one term in the VMSDEP portal is open at a time. Incoming freshmen need to wait until 7/1 to add the Fall semester. 
  • The Fall term opens on 7/1 each year.
  • The Spring term opens on 11/1 each year. 
  • The Summer term opens on 4/1 each year.
• JMU does not apply VMSDEP retroactively to semesters once a specific semester has ended. For example, In order to use VMSDEP for the Fall 2024 semester, the student must be approved by 12/13/2024. If approved after that date, the student can start VMSDEP with Spring 2025. 

Are you also eligible for Chapter 35 DEA through the Federal VA?

• Monthly stipend benefit paid directly to the student; up to 36 months
• Apply through va.gov with VA Form 22-5490 application
• Provide copy of Certificate of Eligibility when it is received. Email to veteran@jmu.edu
• Can be used in conjunction with VMSDEP if eligible for both benefits

Step 2: Complete JMU Veterans Education Benefits Request form

• Complete and submit online. Must complete at one time; no save option
• We recommend completing this form with a parent if you are a military dependent
• Requires student to login with their JMU credentials and Duo authentication. 
• Complete after you have participated in orientation and finalized your upcoming semester schedule
  • For incoming JMU students - complete after you have participated in orientation and your class schedule is set and will not change. 
  • For current JMU students - complete once upcoming class schedule is set and will not change; or complete once you are approved for VMSDEP if you already began at JMU. 
• Enrollment in courses must meet major, GenEd, elective, or degree requirements, or an approved certificate or teacher licensure program to qualify. All majors and minors must be declared on the transcript.
• All transfer credit needs to be submitted to VA for evaluation too
• If also eligible for Chapter 35 DEA, select "Chapter 35 and VMSDEP" for your eligible benefits on this form. 

Additional steps, if applicable:

• Request all Institutions of Higher Learning transcripts be sent directly to JMU if you've taken classes at another college, including dual enrollment. Opened transcripts will not be accepted. (Mainly pertains to undergraduate students; graduate school may require certain transcripts too)
• Submit any AP or IB scores directly to JMU (Undergraduate students)
• Apply for financial aid through the FAFSA application: Financial Aid & Scholarships - JMU

• It can take up to 45 business days for VMSDEP to process the original application. 
• JMU is not notified of approval until your name appears in the portal for the upcoming semester. Follow the term window (Fall opens 7/1, Spring opens 11/1 and Summer opens 4/1) for adding the correct term. 
• You must be approved and have added your intended term (ex - Fall 2024) by the first week of the semester for JMU to wait on the tuition/fee waiver; otherwise, tuition/fees in addition to the room/board charges must be paid upfront to JMU. 
• Even if you qualify for VMSDEP, you must pay any room/board charges upfront to JMU. VMSDEP does not cover room/board charges. 
• JMU does not apply VMSDEP waivers retroactively. Eligible waivers are applied to current and/or future terms as determined by DVS. Student's name must be on the semester roster in the VMSDEP portal by the last day of the current term in order for the waiver to be applied to that term. Follow their application deadline guidelines to ensure you are approved for the semester you want to start the benefit.

 Additional Information:

• If you are also eligible for Chapter 35, Step 2 only need to be completed once for both benefits.
• It takes roughly 6-8 weeks each semester for the VMSDEP tuition/fee waiver to be applied to student accounts. JMU will wait on this portion of the bill while a student is eligible for the benefit. All other charges, including room rent and meal plan charges, must be paid upfront to JMU by the first Friday of each semester.
• All questions regarding the application, required documents and application status should be directed to the VMSDEP office.
• VMSDEP and Financial Aid Impact: As a state veterans’ benefit, the VMSDEP will be included as a financial resource in your overall financial aid package (does not appear on the financial aid offer) and may reduce state grants, university grants or scholarships, federal loans, federal work-study, and private loans. Each financial aid offer type is different, so the benefit may affect each person's offer differently. Contact the JMU Financial Aid office with any questions: fin_aid@jmu.edu or 540-568-7820.