The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program (also known simply as DEA) offers financial education assistance to eligible dependents of veterans and service members who died or were permanently disabled in action or who are missing in action.
Eligible family members may use the benefits for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, as well as for career and educational counseling. Spouses may also take correspondence courses. You may also be approved for remedial, deficiency and refresher courses under certain circumstances.
Eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
To be eligible, you must be a spouse, son or daughter (including stepchild or adopted child) of one of the following:
- A veteran who died from or was permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability
- A service member who was missing in action or was captured in the line of duty and held by a hostile force
- A service member who was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power
- A service member who is likely to be discharged for a permanent and total disability that he or she is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for (this change is effective Dec. 23, 2006)
Generally, children between the ages of 18 and 26 are eligible, and marriage does not affect their eligibility.
Forever GI Bill® & DEA Changes
Under the 2017 Forever GI Bill, there were two changes to the DEA program.
Change 1: Months of Entitlement Reduced
The Forever GI Bill reduced the number of months of entitlement from 45 months to 36 months, which is consistent with other GI Bill programs that provide educational assistance. This change took effect on Aug. 1, 2018, and applies to those who access the benefits on or after that date. Those who first used their benefits prior to that date are eligible for up to 45 months of benefits.
Change 2: Increased DEA Payments
The monthly payment for educational assistance under the DEA program increased by as much as $200 a month for institutional training. The change took effect on Oct. 1, 2018 and applied to everyone.
Eligible dependents may be eligible for both the DEA and the Fry Scholarship. Most will have to choose between one program or the other when they apply, and they cannot change their minds. Those whose parents died in the line of duty prior to Aug. 1, 2011, may be able to receive both benefits, but they can only access one at a time.
DEA vs. the Fry Scholarship
Eligible dependents may be eligible for both the DEA and the Fry Scholarship. Most will have to choose between one program or the other when they apply, and they cannot change their minds. Those whose parents died in the line of duty prior to Aug. 1, 2011, may be able to receive both benefits, but they can only access one at a time.
DEA vs. Fry Scholarship Comparison Chart
| Features | DEA | Fry Scholarship |
| Benefit Payments | Monthly payment made directly to the student, with the current amount for full-time training is $1,298. | Tuition and fee payments are paid to school. Full in-state tuition costs covered for training pursued at public institutions. The annual limit for private institutions is $26,042.81
A books and supplies stipend is paid to the student, up to $1,000 a year, with the payments proportionately per term. A monthly housing allowance is paid to students as a monthly stipend based on the local basic allowance for housing (BAH) rate for E-5 with dependents. |
| Duration of Benefits | Surviving spouses of those who died in the line of duty may use benefits for up to 20 years from the service member’s date of death or 10 years from the date the VA determines they qualify or from the member’s date of death, although there are exceptions.
A child may use benefits between ages 18 and 26, although there are exceptions |
Spouses who became eligible after Jan. 1, 2013 have no time limit to use the benefit, but lose it if they remarry.
A child who became eligible before Jan. 1, 2013, qualifies when they turn 18 years old, and can use benefits until they turn 33 years old. A child who becomes eligible on or after Jan. 1, 2013, has no time limit to use benefits. |
| Maximum Months of Benefits | 45 months if the first use of benefits was before Aug. 1, 2018;
36 months if the first use of benefits was after Aug. 1, 2018 |
36 months |
| Concurrent Receipt of DIC and Education Benefit for Spouse | Yes | Yes |
| Programs Covered | College, business, technical and vocational programs; certification tests; apprenticeships and on-the-job training; and tutorial assistance and work-study | College, business, technical and vocational programs; certification tests; apprenticeships and on-the-job training; vocational flight training; and tutorial assistance and work-study |
