Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

Basic Eligibility

  • Dependents of a veteran who died in service or is totally and permanently disabled as a result of service.
  • Eligibility typically ends at age 26 for dependent children. Spouse eligibility typically ends 10 years after the date eligibility is determined. If the Veteran died on active duty or was rated permanently and totally disabled within 3 years of discharge, spouse eligibility ends 20 years after the date of death or date of the rating.

Payments

  • Monthly stipend, paid to the student, based on level of enrollment and prorated for the number of days in the month. See payment rates.

For more information

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.