What Is the Chapter 35 GI Bill (DEA Program)?
The Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program, known as Chapter 35, provides monthly education benefits to surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service, died from a service-connected disability, or are permanently and totally disabled due to service. The VA pays $1,470 per month for full-time enrollment in 2026 (this rate became effective October 1, 2024).
2026 Monthly DEA Stipend Rates
Like the Montgomery GI Bill, DEA pays the benefit directly to the student — not to the school. The student is responsible for paying tuition and fees from the monthly stipend.
| Enrollment Level | Monthly Stipend (2026) |
|---|---|
| Full-time | $1,470 |
| 3/4-time | $1,102 |
| 1/2-time | $735 |
| Less than 1/2-time (reimbursement) | Cost of tuition/fees, up to $735/mo |
DEA provides up to 45 months of education benefits — 9 more months than the standard Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Who Qualifies for Chapter 35 DEA?
DEA eligibility is based on the veteran's service and disability or death status — not on the dependent's own service record.
Qualifying Veteran Conditions
The veteran must fall into one of these categories:
- Died while on active duty
- Died from a service-connected disability
- Is permanently and totally (P&T) disabled due to a service-connected condition
- Was discharged from active duty with a service-connected disability rated totally disabling at the time of discharge and died before the rating was reduced
- Is missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW)
Eligible Dependents
Two categories of dependents may use DEA:
- Surviving spouses: Must use benefits within 10 years of the date the VA determines eligibility. Remarriage before age 57 generally ends DEA eligibility.
- Children: Must be between age 18 and 26 to use benefits. The upper age limit extends to 30 if the child served in the armed forces between ages 18 and 26 — military service during that window pauses the DEA clock and pushes the cutoff to age 30.
School-age children (under 18) cannot yet use DEA but are eligible to begin the moment they turn 18, as long as the school is VA-approved.
What DEA Covers
DEA can be used at any VA-approved school for any of the following:
- Associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs
- Graduate and post-graduate certificates
- Vocational and technical training programs
- Apprenticeship and on-the-job training (OJT)
- Farm cooperative programs
- Special restorative training (for dependents with disabilities)
Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, DEA does not separately cover books, housing, or fees. The monthly stipend must cover all costs, including tuition.
DEA vs. Fry Scholarship: Which Pays More?
Surviving spouses and children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001 may be eligible for both DEA and the Fry Scholarship. These are different programs and eligibility must be evaluated separately.
| Feature | DEA (Chapter 35) | Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Surviving spouses/children of P&T veterans or those who died of SC condition | Surviving spouses/children of service members who died in the line of duty post-9/10/2001 |
| Tuition | Stipend covers all — paid to student | Paid directly to school (up to state max) |
| Housing allowance | None (included in flat stipend) | BAH at E-5 with dependents rate |
| Books stipend | None (included in flat stipend) | Up to $1,000/year |
| Monthly stipend (FT) | $1,470 | Varies by school ZIP — often $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Entitlement | 45 months | 36 months |
| Can use both? | No — must elect one | No — must elect one |
For most surviving spouses and children attending school in a moderate or high cost-of-living area, the Fry Scholarship pays significantly more because of the separate housing allowance and school-direct tuition payment. However, DEA's longer entitlement (45 vs. 36 months) and eligibility for P&T veteran dependents make it the only option for many families. If you qualify for both, compare the housing allowance for your specific school ZIP code before electing either program — the election is not irrevocable, but switching after using months is complex.
Using DEA and Post-9/11 GI Bill Together
A veteran and their dependent can use education benefits at the same time from different entitlement pools. For example, a veteran using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits does not reduce DEA availability for their child or spouse. These are entirely separate programs with separate entitlement clocks.
How to Apply for Chapter 35
Apply using VA Form 22-5490, available online at VA.gov or at any VA regional office. The VA will verify the veteran's service record and disability or death status. Allow 6–8 weeks for initial processing. The school must certify enrollment each term before monthly payments begin.
For more details on benefits available to surviving family members, see our VA Survivor Benefits for Children's Education guide, our GI Bill hub, and the full VA Education Benefits overview.
Key Takeaways
- DEA pays $1,470/mo directly to the student in 2026 for full-time enrollment.
- Surviving spouses must use DEA within 10 years of the VA eligibility date; children must use it between ages 18 and 26 (or 30 if they served).
- The Fry Scholarship usually pays more for line-of-duty death survivors, but DEA serves a broader group and offers 45 months of entitlement.
- A veteran's use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill does NOT reduce or affect a dependent's DEA entitlement — they are separate benefit pools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a surviving spouse use DEA while the veteran is still alive but rated P&T?
Yes. If the veteran is permanently and totally (P&T) disabled due to a service-connected condition, the surviving spouse can use DEA while the veteran is still living. The veteran does not need to have died for the spouse to qualify.
What happens to DEA benefits if a surviving spouse remarries?
Remarriage before age 57 typically ends a surviving spouse's DEA eligibility. Remarriage after age 57 generally does not affect eligibility. If you remarried before 57 and the remarriage ended (through death or divorce), you may be able to reestablish eligibility — contact VA to confirm.
Can a child use DEA for graduate school?
Yes. DEA can be used for graduate and post-graduate programs at VA-approved institutions, as long as the child is between the eligible ages and has remaining entitlement months.
Is the DEA stipend taxable?
No. DEA monthly stipend payments are not taxable income and do not need to be reported on federal tax returns. This applies to both surviving spouses and children.
Can two children of the same veteran each get 45 months of DEA?
Yes. Each eligible child has their own separate 45-month DEA entitlement. Multiple children can use DEA simultaneously, and one child's usage does not reduce another child's available months.
Does DEA cover online school?
Yes. DEA pays the same flat monthly rate for online enrollment as for in-person enrollment — unlike the Fry Scholarship, which reduces the housing allowance for fully online programs. This can make DEA competitive for distance learners even when Fry pays more in-person.
Need help deciding between DEA and the Fry Scholarship for your family? Visit the Rank and Pay Education Benefits hub to compare programs and find the maximum benefit for your situation.