Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents 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 related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible if the veteran
Is found by VA to be totally and permanently disabled from
a service-related disability, OR
Died because of a service-related disability
AND
You meet one of the following conditions:
You are married to the veteran, OR
You are the deceased veteran's surviving spouse, and you
haven't remarried, OR
You are the veteran's child and you're at least 18 years
old.
Generally, you must use this benefit within the following time
periods:
Spouse/surviving spouse: 10 years from the date VA finds
you eligible
Child: until age 26
Note: These time limits can be extended under certain
circumstances. Call the Atlanta RPO at 1-888-GIBILL1 for more
details.
How Much Does VA Pay?
The amount VA pays is based on the type of training program you're
in, and your training time. Click
here for payment chart.
How Can I Apply? When you find an approved training program, bring a copy of your Birth Certificate (dependent) or Marriage License (Spouse), copy of the Death Certificate or 100% disability letter to the Veterans Affairs Office. Complete the VA online application , Application for Education Benefits. The VA office will send your paper work to the Atlanta RPO for processing.
Related Benefits
Tutorial Assistance
Work-Study Benefits
Champ VA
R.E.P.S.
For more information contact us at:
University of Florida Veterans Affairs
Office
222 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000
Gainesville FL, 32611-4000
Phone: 352-392-1374, ext. 7413
Fax: 352-846-1126
Email: Vacounselor@ufl.edu
jgebhar@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu
Coordinator: John Gebhardt