How does Chapter 35 (DEA) work?

Chapter 35, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), pays a fixed monthly amount directly to you, and you pay your tuition and fees to the school. It is for family members, not the veteran. When a DEA student comes to my office, the first thing I explain is that it works like a monthly stipend, not like the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Who may be eligible

• Spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition.
• Spouses and children of veterans who died from a service-connected condition, or who died on active duty.
• Spouses and children of service members who are missing in action or were captured.

Time limits to know

• Children generally use DEA between ages 18 and 26, with some exceptions.
• Spouses generally have a window of 10 or 20 years, depending on the circumstances.
• Total entitlement is 36 or 45 months depending on when you became eligible.

How to apply

Apply with VA Form 22-5490. Dependents usually wait longer for a Certificate of Eligibility, often 30 to 60 days, because the VA has to verify the sponsor record. Apply well ahead of your first term, then bring your COE to your school certifying official.

Monthly rates change each year, so check the current DEA rate on VA.gov rather than relying on an old handout.