You are here

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

For more information on Chapter 35 DEA benefits, please visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs Education and Training information portal http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/DEA.asp

Program Details/Course Requirements

Benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Get the DEA pamphlet.

Who's Eligible?

You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of an individual meeting one of the following criteria:

  1. A Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the armed forces.
  2. A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
  3. A Servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
  4. A Servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
  5. A Servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective Dec. 23, 2006.

Special factors impacting eligibility

  1. If a child and you wish to receive benefits, you must be between 18 & 26 years old *some exceptions apply
  2. Cannot be used while currently on active duty in armed forces
  3. Must not be dishonorably discharged from military service

How it works - Steps to Approval:

  1. Determine if program of study is eligible for funding. (All approved programs of study are located on the VA’s WEAMS Report  (Approved UGA Continuing  Education Programs listed below)
    1. If program is already approved, go to step 3
    2. Program of interest not approved, go to step 2
  1. Contact the office providing the training and speak to their military education specialist to seek program approval. For Georgia Center for Continuing Education Programs, contact our military education specialist Suzanne Beckham and she will work with you to apply for program approval.
    1. Upon program approval proceed to step 4
  1. Obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490 (Dependent Application for VA Benefits)
  2. Send VA Form 22-5490 to VA regional office with jurisdiction over the state you are seeking to participate in an educational program
  3. Provide school with your certificate of eligibility (email/fax)
  4. Contact School to register for approved program
  5. School will update student enrollment into VA Once
  6. Chapter 35 Post 9/11 GI Bill® will pay the student directly for the student’s tuition cost. Students will be responsible for paying the school directly for the cost of program attendance.

Approved Courses for Post 9/11 GI Bills®

Let’s get started …

Return to Index to See More Military Assistance Options