What is Dependents’ Educational Assistance?

If you’re the child or spouse of a veteran or service member who has been permanently disabled due to a service-related condition, then you might be eligible to receive Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

DEA benefits are a great way to help fund your college education. In fact, according to the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Annual Benefits Report, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) made over $2 million in DEA payments last year.

As a former recipient of DEA benefits, I can personally speak to the advantages of the DEA program. So, let’s explore what the DEA program is, who is eligible for it, and how eligible dependents can apply for benefits.

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program

The Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, also called Chapter 35, provides education and training opportunities to a child or spouse of a veteran or service member who meets specific criteria. 

Eligible dependents can receive monthly payments to help them pay for approved school programs or cover expenses the dependent has incurred while completing approved training or apprenticeships.

Generally speaking, as a dependent, you can receive benefits until your eligibility period ends or you use up your entitlement (the number of months of benefits you can receive).

Are You Eligible to Receive DEA Benefits? 

You may be able to receive DEA benefits if one of these statements is true for the veteran or service member: 

• The Veteran or Service member is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
• The Veteran or Service member died in the line of duty, or
• The Veteran or Service member died as a result of a service-connected disability, or
• The Veteran or Service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force for more than 90 days, or
• The Veteran or Service member was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days, or
• The Service member is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.

And if one of these statements is true for you, the dependent:

• You are 18 years old or older, or
• You completed high school or secondary education

How Can You Use Your DEA Benefits? 

Students can use DEA benefits to advance their education and training in four key ways: 

• To work toward a degree: DEA benefits can help you pay for your college education, pay for a tutor, and cover the costs of national tests and preparation courses.
• To train for a career or trade: Use DEA benefits to pay for vocational or technical training and non-college degrees, cover your living expenses for on-the-job training, and cover the costs of licensing and certification tests.
• To work while studying: DEA benefits can cover some of the costs of your co-op training and help you earn money through the Veterans work-study program.
• To take classes from home: Use your DEA benefits to help pay for correspondence training as well as independent and distance learning. 

What Are the Rates for DEA?

The following Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance rates are for the period October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. 

For example, if you’re enrolled full-time (taking at least 12 credits per semester), you’d get paid $1,536 for each full month. By full month, we mean if you start classes on the 20th, you’d only get paid for 10 days of enrollment that month.

Note that these rates apply only to colleges and universities. You can find the rates for non-college degree programs, on-the-job training and apprenticeships, correspondence training, and more by visiting the VA's Chapter 35 rates webpage. 

How to Apply for DEA Benefits in 5 Steps

You can apply for DEA benefits online or by mailing a completed Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490) to the regional processing office in your state. 

Since applying online is the simplest option, we’ve listed the steps for it below: 

1) Verify That Both You and Your School Are Eligible 

Check that you’re eligible for Chapter 35 benefits by reviewing our eligibility criteria or visiting the official Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance webpage. 

You should also make sure your school or program is approved for the use of VA benefits. That’s where the WEAMS Institution Search tool comes in handy. 

2) Collect Your Information

Before you apply for benefits, gather information from the veteran or service member you’re the survivor or dependent of. This includes their name, date of birth, social security number, and military service history. 

You’ll also need your current address, contact information, and bank information. 

3) Complete Your Application

Now, it’s time to complete your application. You’ll need to log in with a verified account. Or you can create a Login.gov or ID.me account. 

The application process will take you around 15 minutes, and you may receive an automatic decision. If approved, you can download your award letter, or Certificate of Eligibility. If denied, you can download your denial letter. VA will also mail you a copy of your decision letter.

In the case that you don’t get an automatic decision, VA will mail you one within 30 days. 

4) Submit Your Certificate of Eligibility

Before you start classes, you must submit your Certificate of Eligibility to your school’s certifying official or VA representative. 

If you’re not sure who that is, visit your college’s military and veteran services office. Representatives there will likely provide useful certification checklists and other resources.

For example, I used this checklist to make sure I received Chapter 35 benefits while working toward a certificate at Central Carolina Technical College. 

5) Verify Your Enrollment Every Semester 

According to the VA website, if you receive DEA benefits and are enrolled in a college degree program, you don’t need to verify your enrollment. 

However, this wasn’t the case for me. I received Chapter 35 benefits throughout my Bachelor’s degree program, but I still had to verify my enrollment each semester. 

So, to be on the safe side, check with your school’s military and veteran services office every semester to make sure you get certified and receive your monthly payments on time. 

Also, remember to submit a certification request if your enrollment status changes or if you enroll in, withdraw from, or drop a class. 

Discover More Ways to Fund Your Education With Appily  

DEA benefits can help you save money as you work toward a college degree. So, check your eligibility, apply, and verify your enrollment each semester to receive monthly payments. 

It’s important to note, though, that VA only allows you to use one education benefits program at a time. So, it’s best to combine your DEA benefits with outside scholarships and financial aid.  

You can use Appily to discover more scholarships and financial aid options. That way, you can fund your college education in full!