Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program (Chapter 35)
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.
Deadline
Rolling
Est. Time
30-60 minutes to complete application
Source
Department of Veterans Affairs
Eligibility Requirements
Spouses and children of Veterans or service members who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.
Who Can Apply
Eligible children (ages 18-26, though exceptions exist) and spouses of qualifying Veterans.
Application Instructions
Applications can be submitted online via the VA.gov portal or by mail using VA Form 22-5490.
Required Documents
- VA Form 22-5490
- proof of relationship
- service member documentation
Geographic Restrictions
United States
Required Essays
- none
How to Stand Out
Ensure you have your sponsor's social security number and military service details ready before beginning the online application.
Risk Warnings
Beware of third-party sites charging fees for VA application assistance; the official VA application process is always free.