Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program rates for the 2021-2022 year are effective from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Every year, these rates increase to offset the costs of education as they rise from inflation. This year’s rates increased by about 2.6% for most students. The benefits for most survivors and dependents last up to 36 months of schooling. If the dependent first accessed the benefits before Aug. 1, 2018, then they will last up to 45 months.
The DEA program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans. Eligibility requirements include dependents of permanently and totally disabled veterans or veterans who died while serving on active duty.
Institutional Training
TRAINING TIME MONTHLY RATE
Full time $1,298
¾ time $1,026
½ time $753
less than ½ time and more than ¼ time $753 **
¼ time or less $324.50 **
Correspondence programs: Eligible surviving spouses receive an allowance of 55 % of the fee for the number of lessons completed and serviced by the school. This allowance is paid quarterly.
Co-operative training: Entitlement charged at the rate of one month for each $1,265.00 paid. Does not apply to farm co-operative.
** Tuition and fees only. Payment cannot exceed the listed amount.
Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training
| TRAINING PERIOD | MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|
| First six months of training | $825 |
| Second six months of training | $620 |
| Third six months of training | $407 |
| Remainder of training | $207 |
Farm Cooperative Training
| TRAINING TIME | MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|
| Full time | $908 |
| ¾ time | $683 |
| ½ time | $453 |
Special Restorative Training
| TRAINING PERIOD | MONTHLY RATE |
|---|---|
| Full Time | $1,298 |
| Accelerated Charges – Cost of Tuition and Fees in Excess of… | $342 |
| Entitlement Reduced 1 day for Each | $43.27 (1/30th of full-time rate) |
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
