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The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, or Chapter 35 VA Benefits, is a component of the overall GI Bill or VA Education Program that provides education and training opportunities to dependents of permanently and totally disabled Veterans with a VA rating of 100% due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. Dependents can utilize up to 45 months of educational services from the VA Chapter 35 program for degree and diploma programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. Specific situations may grant access to remedial, deficient, and refresher courses. You can apply these advantages to degree and diploma programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. Depending on eligibility and service requirements, Veterans’ spouses, children, and previous spouses occasionally receive free courses through Chapter 35 VA Benefits.
Eligibility for Dependents’ Benefits
Chapter 35 Benefits for Dependents is only one segment of the overall GI Bill, an umbrella term for the various educational programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program aims to finance the educational costs for dependents and survivors of Veterans and Servicemembers who suffered disabilities or lost their lives while serving. To qualify for VA Education Dependent Benefits, the dependent (surviving spouse, child, adopted child, or stepchild) must meet the following requirements:
- The Veteran connected to the dependent is rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related injury.
- The Veteran was permanently and totally disabled by a service-related condition at the time of death and died from a service-related cause or any other cause.
- The Veteran died as a result of active duty combat or military service.
Not all listed as “dependents” of a Veteran or Servicemember qualify for Chapter 35 VA Benefits. Eligible dependents include a spouse, biological son or daughter, stepchild, or adopted child. Eligibility begins for the children of Servicemembers at age 18 and ends at age 26, with no penalties if the dependent marries. Spouse eligibility starts at the date the Veteran received the disability rating and lasts for 10 years. If you have any questions, be sure to speak with the educational officer at your local VA office to clarify any questions might have about your eligibility.
Benefits of Chapter 35
The various benefits provided under Veterans Affairs Chapter 35, such as financial assistance, educational support, and other perks, vary depending on your Servicemember’s situation and service. Learn more about the full range of benefits at this link, but in general, the following general benefits can assist dependents and spouses in their education and career goals.
- Full-time enrollment: $1,488 for each full month
- 3/4-time enrollment: $1,176 for each full month
- 1/2-time enrollment: $862 for each full month
- Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $862 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
- 1/4-time enrollment or less: $372 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
- If tuition and fees are less than a monthly rate, you receive a lump sum at the start of each term
There are also other parts of the GI Bill that offer scholarships to the dependents of Servicemembers outside of the Chapter 35 VA Benefits. Read more about the Fry Scholarship at this link and the Post-9/11 GI Bill at this link to learn more about these programs.
How to Apply for Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits
As with other forms of VA assistance, to apply for Chapter 35 VA Benefits, you should first ensure that you have copies of:
- Your Social Security Number
- Sponsoring Servicemember’s Social Security Number
- Information about the school or training facility you want to attend.
- Your education history
- Bank account information and routing number for direct deposit.
- To begin the online application process, click on this link, or
- Visit your local VA office to initiate the process with the assistance of a VA officer.
- Download a copy of VA Form 22-5490 and mail it to your local VA office. Read more about this form here.
- If your sponsoring Servicemember does not currently receive VA benefits, you must first obtain a certificate of eligibility before applying for DEA Chapter 35. You can do this by visiting this link or by downloading the VA Form 26-1880 and mailing it in. Learn more about this process at this link.
- Tell the Veterans certification official at your school or training establishment that you have applied for VA education benefits. Ask him or her to submit your enrollment information using VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification.
- Await the VA’s confirmation that they have processed your application and approved your Chapter 35 VA Benefits. This should take 30 days or less.
Choosing the Right Schools for Benefits Eligibility
It is important to select schools or educational programs that are eligible for Chapter 35 VA Benefits, as not all schools or universities qualify. If you want to inquire if a school accepts Chapter 35 Benefits for Dependents, follow these steps:
- To inquire about a specific school, call 1-800-827-1000 and follow the prompts for educational benefits.
- Visit this link to search by state for participating schools.
- Call VA toll-free at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and ask a representative to search for a particular school.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chapter 35 VA Benefits
A full-time student’s maximum monthly allotment for both college and non-college programs is currently $1,488 per month. It is $945 a month for on-the-job training apprenticeships.
A full-time student’s maximum monthly allotment for both college and non-college programs is currently $1,488 per month. It is $945 a month for on-the-job training apprenticeships.
Yes, benefits extend to online and distance learning programs.
You can begin receiving Chapter 35 Benefits for Dependents at the age of 18, up until age 26, and/or a maximum of 45 months (3 years and 9 months) of full-time benefits.
If your spouse or dependents receiving Dependents’ and Survivors’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) move schools or take a break from school for more than a year, fill out VA Form 22-5495, Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training.
Survivors of active duty veterans and their dependents are eligible for veteran education benefits under Chapter 35, but only service members who served on active duty are eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 33.
Students should call the VA Education Call Center at (888) 442-4551 to find out the status of their application or benefits. You can also use the internet to check the status of your VA claim, appeal, or decision review. First, you must log in using My HealtheVet, DS Logon, ID.me, or Login.gov. You can register for a free ID.me or Login.gov account if you don’t already have one of these accounts.
You have the option to file a Board Appeal, a Higher-Level Review, or another Supplemental Claim if your application is denied. You may also speak with a VA education officer.
If any of the mitigating circumstances listed at this link force you to drop out of school, you will likely receive a dispensation. However, if you drop out without a mitigating cause, you will be responsible for repaying some or all of the VA Education Dependent Benefits you have already received.
While other portions of the GI Bill do cover education abroad, this one does not, unless the study abroad course is part of a stateside education program requirement.
Visit this link to learn more about education benefits for the dependents and survivors of Veterans and Servicemembers.
