Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance is an education benefit for eligible spouses and children of certain veterans. Spouses and children can receive education benefits even if the veteran is not deceased.
Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits for:
College, business, technical, or vocational courses; high school diploma or GED; independent study; or distance learning courses
Correspondence courses (spouses only); apprenticeship/on-the-job training
Remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases)
The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job
To be eligible for this education program, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
A veteran who is rated by the VA with a 100 percent service-connected disability.
A veteran who died from any cause while such a service-connected disability was in existence.
A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected, 100 percent permanent disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
After finding a program approved for VA training, complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. The form is available at VA regional offices and online at the VA's website.
You should submit the form to the VA regional office that serves the state where you will train.
How much does the VA pay for survivor's education?
The amount the VA pays is based on the type of training program and training time (full time, half time, so on). This program works much like the military GI Bill. You receive 45 months of full-time benefits. If you go to school half time, you receive 90 months of half-time benefits, and so on.
These tables show the education rates, effective October 1, 2008, depending on the type of training.
| Training Time | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Full time | $915.00 |
| Three-quarters time | $686.00 |
| Half time | $456.00 |
| Less than half time, more than one-quarter time | $456.00 |
| One-quarter time or less | $227.75 |
When you train at less than half time, you’ll be reimbursed for tuition and fees only, up to the maximum monthly amounts shown on the chart. When you are enrolled in college at least half time, you’re paid the monthly amount shown, regardless of the cost of your college courses.
| Training Time | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Full time | $737 |
| Three-quarters time | $553 |
| Half time | $368 |
Full time means taking at least 12 credit hours in a term, or 24 clock hours per week. Three-quarters time is defined as at least 9 credit hours in a term, or 18 clock hours per week.
Half time means taking at least 6 credit hours in a term, or 12 clock hours per week. One-quarter time means taking at least 3 credit hours in a term, or 6 clock hours per week.
| Training Period | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| First six months of training | $666 |
| Second six months of training | $499 |
| Third six months of training | $329 |
| Remaining pursuit of training | $166 |
Rates change October 1 of each year. For current rates, visit the GI Bill’s website.
Expiration of the VA survivor education benefits
Spouses and surviving spouses have ten years from the date the VA establishes eligibility to use the benefit. Surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty have 20 years from the date of the veteran’s death to use the benefit.
Children may use the benefit while they are between the ages of 18 and 26.