The Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) offers education and training opportunities to dependents and spouses of veterans or active service members. The program allows up to 45 months of benefits which can be used towards degrees, apprenticeships, certificate programs and on the job training opportunities. Options of correspondence, remedial and refresher courses are also available for children and spouses of active or retired service members.
Am I Eligible?
In order to be eligible you must be the daughter, son or spouse of:
- A veteran who has died or is completely disabled due to an active service related disability that occurred while serving in the Armed Forces.
- A veteran who has died from a service related disability.
- A service member who is missing in action or has been captured by a hostile oppressor during active duty.
- A service member who has been forcibly detained by a foreign government during active duty.
- A service member who has been hospitalized or is receiving home health care due to an injury or disability sustained while serving an active duty.
The dependent of a service member must be between the ages of 18-26 to qualify. Individuals currently serving an active duty are unable to receive benefits.
Military spouses may obtain aid for 10 years from the death of the veteran, and surviving spouses of service members that died while serving active duty may receive benefits of DEA for 20 years from the date of death.
How to Apply
In order to apply, individuals must make sure their chosen program is approved for VA training.
Once the program is selected, the Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance VA Form 22-5490 must be completed and sent to the regional VA office according to the State where the training will take place.
