Ch 35 is the benefit from the actual VA. So for this, this is why you submit your classes to us via VA Works and we verify everything and then submit it to the VA for payment. They pay you a monthly stipend which deposits directly to your chosen bank account. Usually you'll see your first stipend check pay out 4-8 weeks or so after you submit your VA Works form. Or the nearest "first of the month" after that and every first of the month for the rest of the semester. Ch 35 never pays anything directly to the school.
The Military Dependent Scholarship or MDS* is a scholarship through the State of Arkansas or ADHE. This is again verified by the university (not in teh VMSC but in the financial aid office) and then ADHE pays the school and the scholarship will reflect on your student account on Workday. This scholarship is manually applied by one person for over 250 recipients so it takes longer to show up. Usually October in the Fall and March in the spring. Remember the MDS pays the balance above and beyond the equivalent of 3 months of ch 35 stipend or about $4500. So you are still responsible for paying part of the bill. We usually recommend ch 35 families sign up for the payment plan through the treasurer's office. (You can do this until the 3rd or 4th week of classes. Check the TO website for the exact date.) This will break up your bill into 3 or 4 equal payments/payment deadlines. You just need to pay what you can (even just $1!) by each deadline to avoid a late fee. Then you will need to settled up by the end of the semester which should give time for your stipends to come in and your MDS to apply to your account so you can see what you actually owe.
Starting in Fall 2026, the MDS will be called the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship.
If you ahve questions about your ch 35 stipend or the MDS/AHS, please reach out to us anytime at vmsc@uark.edu.
Loading...