In a ceremony last Thursday in Richmond, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed HB 6004 and SB 6012, legislation to repeal eligibility changes made to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program and other tuition waiver programs. VMSDEP waives state tuition for spouses and children of Gold Star families and families where a veteran was at least 90 percent permanently disabled because of their military service, as well as families of first responders killed in the line of duty. In its 2024 session, the General Assembly severely cut eligibility as part of the budget process. Following a public outcry, the General Assembly was called by the governor back into session, where the two houses voted to repeal the changes. Among those lobbying for this action was Jenna Rowe of Mathews, whose oldest daughter Cora is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University and whose next oldest Laura begins her studies at Radford University in the fall. Rowe (standing at left, wearing a “Save VMSDE...
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