Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA / Chapter 35)
Direct monthly payment for approved education; rate and months vary with course load, level, and eligibility date.
About Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA / Chapter 35)
Chapter 35 provides education payments to family members who meet VA criteria tied to a parent’s or spouse’s military service.
VA lists situations such as permanent and total service-connected disability, death from a service-connected cause, death in the line of duty, or missing/captured status lasting more than 90 days. The beneficiary must also meet relationship, age, and date rules; eligibility periods differ for spouses, children, and cases before or after statutory changes. Request an individual review before planning a timeline.
Submit VA Form 22-5490 online or by mail, and ask the school to certify enrollment in an approved program. Prepare the student’s and Veteran’s information, proof of relationship, and relevant VA decision. Check remaining months before comparing DEA with Fry, since benefits interact and should not be combined without VA approval.
Who it serves and what it can cover: Direct monthly payment for approved education; rate and months vary with course load, level, and eligibility date.
How to apply or get help: Submit VA Form 22-5490 online or by mail, and ask the school to certify enrollment in an approved program. Prepare the student’s and Veteran’s information, proof of relationship, and relevant VA decision. Check remaining months before comparing DEA with Fry, since benefits interact and should not be combined without VA approval. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Public student financial-aid program