Choice Act

In accordance with Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act, the University establishes the following guidelines on in-state tuition for eligible veterans and dependents. 

Eligibility for In-State Tuition for Veterans, Spouses, and Children Using Educational Benefits

You may be eligible for in-state tuition if you meet all the following requirements:

• You’re receiving benefits under one of the following programs:
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

  • Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)

  • Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)

  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35; effective August 1, 2022)

• You qualify as a “covered individual” (explained below for Veterans, spouses, and children).

• You live in the state where your school is located at the time of enrollment (regardless of your formal state of residence).

Eligibility Requirements for Veterans

To qualify as a "covered individual" as a Veteran, you must:

• Have served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 10, 2001.

Note: Coverage under Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act only applies after discharge. It does not cover active-duty members or those in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR).

Eligibility Requirements for Spouses and Children

To qualify as a "covered individual" as a spouse or child, one of the following must apply:

• You’re using education benefits transferred from an active-duty servicemember or Veteran.

• You’re using benefits under the Fry Scholarship, and the Veteran served on active duty for at least 90 days before their death.

• Starting August 1, 2022, if you’re using DEA benefits under Chapter 35, you’re also eligible for in-state tuition.

Keeping Your Covered Status

You will retain your “covered individual” status and in-state tuition eligibility as long as you remain continuously enrolled at the same institution, aside from standard breaks between courses, semesters, or terms. However, if you withdraw and re-enroll, your covered status may be impacted.

Demonstrating Eligibility

To demonstrate eligibility for in-state tuition rate, a student must:

1. Indicate intent to use the Choice Act when submitting a Military Educational Benefits Request Form (MEBR). 

2. Submit one of the required documents listed below:
   • DD Form 214 discharge document which must indicate: at least 90 days of Net Active Service; and honorable discharge

   • DD Form 1300 Report of Casualty document, if student is using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.

   • Copy of active military orders, if student is using transferred benefits and transferor is on active duty.

3. Provide proof of Commonwealth of Virginia address.

Student is responsible for demonstrating eligibility for in-state tuition under the Choice Act.

Questions

Active duty servicemembers should work with the Office of Virginia Status for in-state privileges.

More information on establishing Virginia domicile for military-affiliated students can be found on the Office of Virginia Status website: Active Duty, Retired and Discharged Military Members | Office of Virginia Status.