Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA, Chapter 35) provides educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service.
Effective 8/1/2018, the DEA program entitlement was reduced from 45 months to 36 months for first time users. Individuals who first enrolled in a program of education prior to August 1, 2018, would still qualify for a maximum of 45 months of entitlement.
For more information on Chapter 35 benefits, please visit the Veterans Affairs website or call VA at 1-888-442-4551.
