Chapter 35
The Dependents Educational Assistance Program is the only benefit for individuals without military service. It is for the spouse and/or child of a member of the Armed Forces who has died while on active duty or as the result of a disability that VA has determined in service-connected, or is 100% permanently and totally disabled for a service-related reason.
Dependents receive up to 45 months of full-time benefits and are generally eligible for the benefits between the ages of 18 and 26.
For a Spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date that the DVA declares eligibility or from the date of death of the veteran.
Summary
| Common Name: | Dependents and Survivors Educational Assistance |
| Eligibility Requirements: | Surviving spouse and/or child of a veteran with service connected disability or service connected death or died of any cause while rated "PT" service connected. |
| Cutoff Dates: | Spouse: 10 years from “PT” service connected rating or death. 20 years if vet rated permanent and total disabled within three years of discharge. Child: By 26th birthday or 8 years from date of eligibility established. |
| Tutorial Assistance: | Yes |
| Miscellaneous: | Child between the ages of 18 and 26 (except in certain instances). Child is not eligible prior to 18 years old unless he/she has passed the age of compulsory education and is not in a program to obtain a HS diploma. |
| Dependent Eligibility: | No (If you are the Dependent student receiving the benefit your children are not eligible.) |
