Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)

Dependents’ Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits, which may be used for degree or certificate programs, apprenticeship and on-the-job training. Spouses may take correspondence courses

Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance Program Eligibility

You must be the son, daughter or spouse of:

• A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
• A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
• A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.

Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance Program Eligibility Period

Sons or daughters who wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In some cases, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit.
For spouses, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran. If the VA rated the veteran permanently and totally disabled with an effective date of 3 years from discharge a spouse will remain eligible for 20 years from the effective date of the rating.

How to Apply Survivors & Dependents Educational Assistance Program

The selected program must be approved for VA training. For eligibility requirements and to apply, please visist www.gibill.va.gov.