Dependents’ Educational Assistance Benefits and Eligibility Overview

If you’re like many vets we talk to, you might look at the Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program and think, “It’s not worth jumping through one more set of hoops.” Some veterans even skip pursuing the 100 percent disability rating they qualify for because they don’t see the point for themselves. But here’s the part most people miss: DEA can open life-changing educational benefits for your spouse and kids – benefits that disappear without that rating in place. Once veterans realize their effort can translate into tuition, books, or career training for their loved ones, they usually decide the fight is worth it.

This quick guide breaks down how DEA works, who qualifies, and why locking in the right disability rating today can mean college or trade-school funding tomorrow. If helping your family move forward matters to you, read on.

Spouse & Kin

If you are the spouse or child of a veteran, you may be able to get help paying for college or job training through Dependents’ Educational Assistance. This program can give you money for school and other education expenses if your loved one is a veteran who meets certain requirements. The benefits can help ease the cost of education while you work toward a degree or learn skills for a new career.

You might qualify if your parent or spouse is a veteran who is permanently disabled or has passed away because of service. Many people do not know about these opportunities or how to get started. Learning more about Dependents’ Educational Assistance can help you decide if you should apply.

Key Takeaways

• You may get help with school costs if your parent or spouse is a qualifying veteran.
• There are steps and requirements to qualify for this assistance.
• The program offers money and support for many types of education and training.

Overview of Dependents’ Educational Assistance

Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) helps eligible family members of certain veterans pay for school or career training. If you are the spouse or child of a veteran who is disabled or deceased due to service, you may qualify for these education benefits.

Purpose and Scope

DEA is designed for the dependents and survivors of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of service-connected conditions, or who died in service or from service-related causes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs manages this benefit to support the education and training of eligible spouses and children.

You can use DEA for a wide range of programs. Covered options include college degrees, technical or vocational courses, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training programs.  Eligible recipients may get a monthly payment to help cover enrollment and living costs while attending approved schools or training facilities.

If you are a spouse, benefits may last for up to ten years from the date of eligibility. If you are a child, you may receive benefits between ages 18 and 26, depending on your circumstances. Exact timelines can vary if your parent died on active duty.

DEA and Related VA Education Benefits

DEA is part of a group of education assistance programs from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These include benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill.

You cannot receive funding from both DEA and the Fry Scholarship for the same period. However, you may be able to use part of both programs at different times. It’s important to review which program provides the most help for your situation, as each has its own eligibility rules and payment rates.

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program can be used for undergraduate or graduate degrees, certificate courses, and some apprenticeships or on-the-job training. However, benefits cannot be used for entrance exams or non-degree sports or recreation programs.

Comparison to Other Education Programs

DEA is different from the GI Bill programs, which usually support veterans themselves or, in some cases, allow them to transfer benefits to their dependents. With the GI Bill, there’s a finite number of months (typically 36) that must be split between dependents if transferred – so if a veteran has multiple children, they’d have to divide those months among them. The DEA program works differently: it’s specifically for dependents and survivors, and each qualifying dependent gets their own full 36-month allowance. This means if a veteran had 10 children, each child would be eligible for the complete DEA benefit package – not a fraction of it. DEA eligibility is not based on the military service of the applicant but on the veteran’s service and disability status.

Payment amounts under DEA typically differ from those under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. DEA pays a monthly set amount directly to the dependent child or spouse – not to the veteran or the school, while the GI Bill can offer higher payments for tuition, housing, and books.

DEA’s eligibility and duration rules are also more limited compared to the GI Bill. For instance, you must use the benefit within a certain time frame and cannot combine it with other VA education benefits during the same period. For a deeper look at how DEA compares to other options, see the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet specific criteria to qualify for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. Eligibility is determined by your relationship to a veteran, the veteran’s service-connected status, and details about the veteran’s service or disability.

Eligible Dependents and Survivors

You may be eligible for Dependents’ Educational Assistance if you are the spouse, son, daughter, or certain surviving family members of a qualifying veteran.

Dependents include:

• Spouses of veterans who are disabled or deceased due to service-connected causes.
• Children (including adopted children or stepchildren under certain conditions) of veterans as outlined by the program rules.

Surviving spouses and children qualify if the veteran died as a result of a service-related condition or is missing in action. Age limitations often apply, especially for children, who typically must use the benefit between ages 18 and 26. The VA education and career benefits page provides more detailed information regarding qualifications.

Service-Connected Disability Criteria

To qualify, the veteran whom you are related to must meet certain disability requirements.

The veteran must be permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or the disability must have led directly to their death. The disability must be officially recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs or another appropriate body as being connected with service in the armed forces. Temporary injuries or conditions that are not connected to military service do not meet the standard.

This program also applies when the veteran is rated less than 100% disabled, but the veteran qualifies for total disability rating, if they are unable to work because of their disability (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU). More about these requirements can be found on the DEA Program information page.

Service-Related Conditions and Active Duty Status

Eligibility can also depend on the veteran’s service status and type of service-related condition.

Benefits may be available if the veteran died during active duty, is missing in action, held as a prisoner of war, or hospitalized with a disabling condition connected to official duty. The cause must be directly connected to military service as recognized by law.

Active duty status often affects when benefits can be used, especially for children and spouses. In many cases, benefits for surviving spouses are subject to different time limits than those for children, depending on the veteran’s service dates and the type of qualifying event. You can read further details on the VA Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance page.

Benefits and Education Opportunities

With Dependents’ Educational Assistance, you can access many programs designed to help you build skills, earn credentials, and prepare for the workforce. These benefits and opportunities can support your education, training, and even help cover extra costs.

Types of Education and Training Programs

Dependents’ Educational Assistance gives you access to many different programs. You can use the benefits for college degrees, certificate courses, technical or vocational schools, and even some online education programs.

Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are included. Certificate programs let you gain new skills in faster, focused classes. For those interested in healthcare, technology, trades, or other special areas, technical and vocational programs are covered.

You may also use your assistance for correspondence courses and certain licensing tests.

Here’s a quick list of options:

• College and university degree programs
• Vocational or technical training
• Certificate programs
• Distance learning or online courses
• Career and licensing exams
  For more details about the range of education and training opportunities available, visit the VA website.

Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training

If you want to learn while you work, Dependents’ Educational Assistance also supports apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs. These options allow you to earn money while gaining work experience in real jobs.

Examples include skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and other hands-on careers. You get paired with experienced workers who teach you the job step by step. Many apprenticeships lead to certifications or licenses required for the job.

You may get a monthly allowance during your training, which helps cover living expenses. These programs can help you start a new career without going to a traditional college. Learn more about apprenticeship and on-the-job training benefits.

Special Restorative Training and Refresher Courses

Dependents’ Educational Assistance includes special programs if you need extra support in school. Special restorative training is designed to help those with disabilities or special challenges get ready for regular classes and training.

You may get tutoring in reading, math, speech, or other subjects if you need extra help. Refresher courses let you review and strengthen skills you have not used in a while, making it easier to start a new education path or career program.

These supports make it possible to succeed even if you have unique learning needs or have been out of the classroom for a long time. This type of help ensures that every eligible student can benefit from education benefits for dependents.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Along with monthly payments through Dependents’ Educational Assistance, you may qualify for financial aid and scholarships. VA benefits can be used with federal financial aid, state grants, and private scholarships, as long as the funding rules allow.

You should apply for federal student aid (FAFSA) each year to see if you qualify for grants, loans, or work-study programs. Many schools also offer scholarships just for military families and dependents.

Try looking for scholarships that do not need to be paid back. Some states, such as Florida, also waive out-of-state tuition for eligible veterans and their families, helping reduce costs. See more about education benefits from the VA and from your own state for more details on applying for aid.

How to Apply and Program Details

You need to follow specific steps to get started with Dependents’ Educational Assistance. Knowing which forms to use, what laws apply, and how long the program lasts is important for making the most of your benefits.

Application Process and Form 22-5490

To apply for the Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, you must complete VA Form 22-5490. This form is required for those who are spouses or children of veterans aiming to use education benefits from the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. You can submit this form online through the VA website or print and mail a paper version.

To fill out Form 22-5490, you will need details about your veteran family member, including their service details and type of eligibility. Supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate, may be required for your claim. For guidance, the VA has step-by-step instructions on applying with Form 22-5490.

Some applicants may already be enrolled in a program like a college or vocational school. If so, submit the form as soon as possible to avoid delays in benefit payments.

Chapter 35 and Relevant Legislation

Dependents’ Educational Assistance is delivered mainly under Chapter 35 of Title 38, United States Code. This law supports spouses and children of veterans who are permanently disabled, died during service, or passed away because of service-related causes. Chapter 35 is separate from other VA education programs.

For example, Chapter 33 handles the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Chapter 30 covers the Montgomery GI Bill. There are also Chapters 1606 and 1607 for the Selected Reserve and Reserve Educational Assistance Program. You cannot use Chapter 35 benefits at the same time as Post-9/11 GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment under Chapter 31, but you can choose the program that fits your needs best.

The focus of Chapter 35 is on helping eligible family members of veterans. It supports studies at colleges, technical schools, correspondence courses, and sometimes apprenticeships.

Understanding Program Limits and Term Length

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program sets clear limits on how long you can use the benefits. Typically, you can receive up to 36 months of full-time education benefits at an approved school or training program.

Benefit Period:

• Most children must use their benefit between ages 18 and 26.
• Spouses usually have 10 years from the date they become eligible.

If a veteran died while on duty, the spouse’s eligibility window can be 20 years.

You cannot use Chapter 35 if you are already using another VA education benefit, such as the Montgomery GI Bill or a Selected Reserve benefit like Chapter 1606. Before enrolling, check your eligibility and make sure you are not overlapping with other programs.

Don’t Let DEA Slip Through the Cracks

Dependents’ Educational Assistance isn’t a hand-out – it’s a hard-earned benefit that can change the financial future of your spouse or kids. Yet every year we see families leave tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, books, and training funds sitting on the table because:

1. The veteran never pushed for the permanent & total (100 %) rating they already qualified for.
2. Dependents didn’t realize DEA exists – or assumed the paperwork would be a nightmare.
3. Nobody connected the dots between the service-connected rating and the education dollars that flow from it.

If you’re the veteran, the lesson is simple: your disability rating isn’t just about you. Reaching the right rating today could be the difference between your child graduating debt-free or taking on loans they’ll feel for decades. If you’re a spouse or child, know that Chapter 35 can fund college degrees, trade certifications, apprenticeships, and even refresher courses – up to 36 months’ worth – so long as you claim it in time.

Your Next Steps

1. Lock in the Rating – If you believe your service-connected conditions qualify for a higher rating, pursue it.
2. Get DEERS and VA Records in Order – Accurate paperwork now saves months of delay later.
3. File VA Form 22-5490 – Submit it online or by mail as soon as you choose a program.
4. Stack Other Aid – Combine DEA with federal grants, state waivers, and school-specific scholarships.
5. Ask for Help – If the forms or the rating process feel overwhelming, reach out.

At ProVet Legal, we fight for the ratings and benefits that empower military families. Whether you’re starting a new claim, appealing a low rating, or just need guidance on DEA paperwork, we’re ready.

You served. They sacrificed. Now let’s secure the education they deserve. Contact ProVet Legal today and put every earned dollar of DEA to work for your family’s future.