Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
Brief Description
- Dependent/Spouse of Veterans that are 100% service-connected disabled/deceased/MIA
- Entitlement is generally 45 months of full-time benefit payments, if the person began using the program before August 1, 2018. If the person began using the program on August 1, 2018 or after, then entitlement is 36 months.
- Benefit cannot be used after 10 years from the date of eligibility for spouses
- Benefit cannot be used after 8 years from the date of eligibility for dependents (not beyond age 26)
- Effective October 1, 2013, some DEA beneficiaries may be eligible for up to 81 months of GI Bill benefits if they use the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program in conjunction with an entitlement from another VA Education program.
Benefits Include
In order to calculate your benefits, please feel free to use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
This benefit does not include payment for tuition and fees. Payment for tuition and fees are expected by the payment deadline.
This benefits includes a monthly stipend based on the number of credit hours certified per term.
Please be mindful that you cannot use Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance for the same courses which Federal Tuition Assistance is being paid.
Rates are subject to change annually. The rate change is usually effective October 1st of each year.
Chapter 35: Dependent Education Assistance
The following rates reflected below are effective October 1, 2022
| Training Time | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Full Time | $1401 |
| ¾ Time | $1107 |
| ½ Time | $812 |
| Less than ½ Time, but more than ¼ Time | Payment does not exceed the listed amount. One-time amount during the term (not monthly) of $812 or Tuition & Fees (whichever is less) |
| 1/4 Time or less | Payment does not exceed the listed amount. One-time amount during the term (not monthly) of $350.25 or Tuition & Fees (whichever is less) |
Payments are based on the previous month’s enrollment. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs no longer pays for break pay, benefits for courses out applies when courses are in session. Consider this when taking courses with different beginning and ending dates.
Changes to eligibility, enrollment, schedule, attendance, programs of study and such like can affect your VA Educational Benefits.
Changes to Degree program:
- After the change in degree program is approved by the Department, please submit a VA Form 22-5495
- If the change in the degree program is effective during the current term, please be sure that your current courses are required for the new degree program. If not, your enrollment certification has to be adjusted.
- If the change in degree program is effective the next term, please be sure to register for classes that pertain to the new degree program.
- Consider the remaining eligibility time and determine if you will be able to complete the program in the remaining time.
If you have any further questions or concerns about eligibility or payments, please
feel free to contact the Veterans Affairs Processing Center at 1-888-442-4551.
View instructions on How to Receive VA Education Benefits at Clayton State University