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Chapter 35
Dependents and Survivors Educational Assistance
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. 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 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.) |
