Chapter 35 DEA: education benefits for military surviving dependents
DEA (Dependents' Educational Assistance) provides up to 45 months of VA education benefits to surviving spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans. Most eligible families don't know it exists.
6 min read VA Form 22-5490 For veteran and active-duty families Last reviewed August 2026
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DEA stands for Dependents' Educational Assistance — it is VA education benefit program Chapter 35. It provides up to 45 months of monthly education benefits to eligible surviving spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died from a service-connected condition.
DEA is not the same as the GI Bill. The GI Bill is a benefit earned by the veteran's own service and is primarily intended for the veteran's personal education — though it can be transferred to dependents in some cases. DEA is a survivor benefit that exists independently of any GI Bill transfer, and is available even when no GI Bill has been transferred.
DEA exists even without a GI Bill transfer
Many families assume that education benefits for dependents are only available if the veteran transferred GI Bill benefits before death. That is not true. DEA is an independent program — no prior transfer is required. If the veteran's death or disability meets the eligibility criteria, DEA is available to eligible dependents regardless of whether GI Bill benefits were ever transferred.
Who qualifies?
Veterans whose family may be eligible
Veterans who died from a service-connected condition
Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition (whether or not they have died)
Veterans who died while rated permanently and totally disabled
Service members listed as missing in action or prisoners of war
Eligible beneficiaries
Surviving spouses — eligible from any age. A surviving spouse who remarries loses DEA eligibility from the date of remarriage (regardless of age). If that remarriage ends, eligibility is restored.
Dependent children — eligible between ages 18 and 26. Children may begin DEA before age 18 in some training programs. The upper age limit can be extended in limited circumstances (e.g., military service during the eligibility period).
Order tracks DEA alongside DIC, CHAMPVA, burial benefits, and state programs — one shared list your whole family can work through together.
DEA pays a monthly stipend based on the type of training program. The rates adjust annually with COLA. 2024 approximate monthly rates:
Full-time institutional (college/university): approximately $1,370/month
¾-time enrollment: approximately $1,028/month
½-time enrollment: approximately $685/month
Farm cooperative, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training: different rate schedule based on training hours
Correspondence courses: 55% of approved charges
Total benefit duration is 45 months (equivalent to 9 semesters of full-time enrollment). This can be spread across multiple programs or institutions.
Eligibility window
For surviving spouses, DEA must generally be used within 10 years of the date the VA establishes eligibility (typically within 10 years of the veteran's death or the VA's determination that the veteran is permanently and totally disabled). For children, the benefit must be used between ages 18 and 26 (with some extensions).
Applying early and establishing eligibility on record is important — the 10-year clock begins from the date the VA establishes eligibility, not from when the beneficiary starts using the benefit.
Approved programs
DEA can be used for a broad range of educational and training programs, including:
College and university programs (associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees)
Vocational and technical training programs
Apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs
Correspondence courses
Farm cooperative training
Special restorative training (for veterans and some dependents with disabilities)
The program must be VA-approved. Most accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools are already on the VA's approved list. The school's veterans certifying official (a school staff member) can confirm whether a specific program qualifies.
How to apply
Application form: VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits)
Online: apply at VA.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/5490
By mail: mail the completed form to your regional VA processing office
In person: any VA regional office can accept and process the application
What to include with the application:
Proof of the veteran's qualifying status (VA rating decision or death certificate)
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificate for children)
Proof of enrollment in an approved program (the school will certify enrollment separately after approval)
After the VA approves the application, the beneficiary provides the school's certifying official with the certificate of eligibility. The school certifies enrollment each semester; payments are made directly to the student each month.
Interaction with other education benefits
DEA and transferred GI Bill (Chapter 33): a dependent who is entitled to both a transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill and DEA must choose which to use for each enrollment period — they cannot use both simultaneously. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is generally more valuable (it pays tuition directly plus a housing allowance). DEA may be better in specific situations (e.g., when the housing allowance is less relevant).
DEA and Fry Scholarship: the Fry Scholarship is a separate Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement for surviving spouses and children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. If eligible for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA, the beneficiary must elect one — they cannot use both for the same enrollment period.
DEA and state tuition waivers: many states offer additional tuition waivers for dependents of disabled or deceased veterans, which can be stacked on top of DEA. Check your state's veterans benefits programs.
Common mistakes
Not knowing DEA exists. Many eligible families — especially those who receive a transferred GI Bill — assume that covers all education benefits. DEA is a separate program with its own 45-month entitlement. Even if GI Bill benefits were never transferred, DEA may be available.
Waiting to establish eligibility. The 10-year window for surviving spouses starts from the date the VA establishes eligibility — not from when the benefit is first used. Applying as soon as possible after the veteran's death (or disability determination) starts the clock and locks in the maximum window.
Choosing DEA when the Fry Scholarship would be better. For eligible children and spouses of post-9/11 in-service deaths, the Fry Scholarship (Post-9/11 GI Bill) typically provides higher total benefits than DEA. Compare both options carefully before electing one.
Not coordinating with state education waivers. State-level tuition waivers for military dependents are often available on top of federal DEA benefits. These are not automatically applied — check your state's programs and apply separately.
Frequently asked questions
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