Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35 Program provides education and training to survivors or dependents of veterans disabled by service-related conditions or who died on duty or from such conditions. Eligible dependents receive up to 36 months of educational benefits. Qualification requires you to 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 will be Benefits Manager (BM). First-time CH 35 students must verify their enrollment monthly to receive their stipend. They should call the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 to ensure the VA has their current contact information.
Enrollment verification options include text, email, or contacting the VA via Ask.VA.gov.
By text: VA texts you when your program begins. You can verify your enrollment by responding “yes,” which prompts monthly verification texts.
By email: If you prefer not to receive texts, VA will email you monthly verification at the address on record.
Online through Ask VA: Verify your enrollment on Ask VA by including your school or training enrollment dates in your message.
