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.
Effective 10/1/2018, the amount of educational assistance payable for pursuit of institutional courses and institutional courses under the DEA program. An eligible person will be entitled to a monthly allowance of $1,224 for full-time coursework, $967 for three-quarter time, and $710 for half-time coursework.
For more information on Chapter 35 benefits, please visit the Veterans Affairs website or call VA at 1-888-442-4551.
