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/or dependents.

Eligible Students

• A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 who lives in Virginia while attending a school located in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• An individual using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the state in where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• An individual using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Servicemember’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits who lives in Virginia while attending a school located in Virginia (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.

Demonstrating Eligibility

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

1. Submit a Veterans’ Educational Benefits Request Form. Indicate intent to use the Choice act on the form.
   • Web submit form: Veterans' Educational Benefits Request Form
   • Pdf format: Veterans' Educational Benefits Request Form
2. Submit a DD Form 214 discharge document. (Dependents must submit DD214 of transferor).
   The DD Form 214 discharge document must indicate:
   1. Net Active Service – Must be at least 90 days of service
   2. Separation Date – Must be within 3 years of the first day of the student’s term
   3. Character of Service – Must have honorable discharge
3. Submit a DD Form 1300 Report of Casualty document, if student is using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
4. Submit a copy of active military orders, if student is using transferred benefits and transferor is on active duty.
5. Provide proof of Commonwealth of Virginia address.

To demonstrate eligibility, documentation must be received by the dates indicated below:

• Fall semester - September 1.
• January Term or Spring semester - February 1.
• Summer Session - May 1.

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

Questions

If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran who was honorably discharged more than 3 years before your enrollment, please contact the Office of Virginia Status for questions on in-state eligibility.