Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35 Program offers education and training opportunities to the survivors or dependents of veterans who are disabled due to a service-related condition or who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. Eligible dependents can get up to 36 months of educational benefits. To qualify, you must be the child or spouse of:
- A veteran who died or is disabled or died from any cause while disabled as the result of a service-connected disability.
- A veteran who is rated at 100% permanent and total service-connected disability.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-related disability who is likely to be discharged.
2024 to 2025 Chapter 35 benefits rates
Effective October 1, 2024
The DEA rates listed here are for October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. VA will make the payments directly to you.
For institutions of higher learning
These monthly rates are for courses at colleges and universities. The amounts listed here are for a full month of enrollment. VA will pay you a percentage of the full month’s rate based on the number of days that you’re enrolled in the month. VA calls this a prorated payment. For example, if your school starts on the 20th, you would get a payment for ten days of enrollment that month. Your payment would be 1/3 of the monthly rate.
VA will pay you up to the rate listed here based on how many courses you’re taking:
- Full-time enrollment: $1,536.00 for each full month
- 3/4-time enrollment: $1,214.00 for each full month
- 1/2-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month
If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time, VA will pay you up to the amount listed here for every month you’re enrolled—but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees:
- Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $890.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
- 1/4-time enrollment or less: $384.00 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly rate, VA will send you a lump sum (1 payment) at the start of each term.
Example: If you’re enrolled less than 1/2 time and more than 1/4 time, and you attend a 90-day term, you may get up to $2,670.00 for the term ($890.00 per month x 3). But if your tuition and fees are less than $2,670.00, then VA will send you the amount of your tuition and fees at the start of the term instead.
*VA UPDATE FOR NEW CH 35 DEA STUDENTS MAY 2025 AND ON*
Starting May 2025, the new processing system for CH 35 DEA using students will be Benefits Manager (BM). All new CH 35 students/beneficiaries must verify their enrollment monthly to receive their monthly stipend. Students/beneficiaries are encouraged to call the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 to ensure that the VA has their most up-to-date contact information, including their cell phone number and/or email address.
Enrollment Verification options include text, email, or contacting the VA through Ask.VA.gov.
By text
VA will send you a text when you start your program. VA will ask if you want to verify your enrollment by text. If you respond “yes,” VA will send you a text every month asking you to verify your enrollment.
By email
If you choose not to get text messages or you don’t use texting, VA will email you instead to verify your enrollment each month. VA will send a message to the email address they have in their records for you.
Online through Ask VA
You can verify your enrollment through Ask VA. In your message, be sure to include the dates of your enrollment in school or training.
