VA Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents

What Is the DEA Program?

The DEA program offers education and training opportunities, including college degrees, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training, to eligible spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition. The VA provides a monthly payment that helps offset education-related costs for up to a set number of months of training.

Who May Be Eligible?

A spouse or child may qualify if the veteran:

• Is rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition.
• Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.
• Is currently missing in action or a prisoner of war.

For children, benefits are generally available between ages 18 and 26. For spouses, benefits are typically available for up to 10 years from the date the VA determines eligibility (or 20 years in certain cases involving service members who died on active duty).

What Costs May Be Covered?

The DEA program provides a monthly monetary allowance that can help pay for tuition, fees, books, and supplies, as well as some housing-related costs. The payment is sent directly to the student and the amount depends on the type of education program, enrollment intensity, and length of training. DEA benefits do not directly pay the school, so students are responsible for managing their education expenses.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online through the VA website or by mail. You will need to provide information about the veteran's service and disability status, along with your relationship to the veteran. A VA-accredited representative can help you understand the process and required documentation at no cost.

Education Benefits vs. Private Life Insurance

DEA education benefits help dependents and survivors pursue schooling during a defined eligibility window. Private life insurance, by contrast, provides a financial death benefit to named beneficiaries that can be used for any purpose, including ongoing family income, debt repayment, or education costs that fall outside the DEA program's coverage period or amount limits.