21-05-2025
High school senior says changes to VMSDEP program now disqualifies her for benefits
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — MaKayla Bemley is set to graduate with honors Friday from Suffolk Christian Academy, but as the 18-year-old prepares to walk across the stage, her excitement is tempered by the anxiety she feels about paying for her education.
Part of that anxiety stems from Bemley no longer being eligible to receive a monthly stipend from the government.
Through her mother, a retired and 100% disabled veteran, Bemley is eligible for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which helps survivors and dependents of qualified veterans or service members reach their educational goals.
However, a recent change to the program makes the educational resource for Bemley null and void.
'My mother was on the phone trying to get all of my financial situations in order for college, and she received a message verbally saying that the new executive orders are making it harder for people to receive their benefits,' she said, 'including Article 35, which is the every-month stipend, which would be $2,500 a month.'
While her tuition for James Madison University is covered through the GI Bill, not having the stipend piles on additional expenses.
'There's always hidden fees,' Bemley said. I have the meal plans, I have my books. I have small class charges and stuff like that, dorm charges.'
Per the correspondence, those still eligible would have been enrolled or committed to an institution by May 15, 2024, which leaves her out of the monthly funding. She said students like herself who applied for college before Jan. 1 are no longer eligible for the benefits.
'If you haven't lived in Virginia for five years, they said that, 'Hey, you won't be able to receive these benefits,'' she said. 'So my mom went down the list and she was like, 'Whoa, we have been living here for five years,' and then they hit us with, 'Well, you would have had to apply for college in May of 2024 for me to receive those benefits. But I'm like as a student, as a junior, why would I like, you know, 2025?
Bemley says the whole situation has been stressful. She will most likely have to seek employment to cover the extra fees during her freshmen year opposed to solely focusing on her studies.
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