Survivors & Dependents Benefits

Dependents Educational Assistance

The Survivor’s and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) program provides up to 45 months of educational benefits to eligible dependents of veterans.

To be eligible you must be a child or spouse of a veteran who:

• Died or is permanently disabled as a result of a service-related injury.
• Died while suffering from a service-related disability.
• Is missing in action or was captured during the line of duty.

If you are eligible, you can use your educational benefits toward degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you can enroll in correspondence courses. However, certain restrictions apply.

If you are a son or daughter who wishes to use your benefits for attending school or on-the-job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. If you are a spouse, your benefits end 10 years after the date which the VA found you eligible for benefits. Whether you are the veteran’s child or spouse, you must make sure that the program you wish to use is approved for VA training. If you’re not sure, the VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.

If you are applying for Dependents’ Education Assistance before enrolling in a degree program, fill out a VA Form 22-5490 and send it to the VA regional office in the state where you are going to be attending school. If you are applying after already being enrolled, still fill out VA Form 22-5490, but also have your school or employer complete VA Form 22-1999. Send these forms to your VA regional office.