Survivors' & Dependents’ EAP

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 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.

To be eligible for Survivors’ & Dependents’ Education Assistance you must be the son, daughter or spouse of:

• A veteran who died, or is permanently and totally disabled, as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
• A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
• A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A service member hospitalized or receiving outpatient care for a VA determined service-connected permanent and total disability may be eligible for DEA benefits. (effective December 23, 2006)

If you are a first time user, you can also apply online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp, or complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, and submit it to the NOVA Veterans Affairs Advisor at the campus your degree is located.

If you have used DEA benefits previously, complete a Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (VA Form 22-5495) form and submit it to the NOVA Veterans Affairs Advisor at the campus your degree is located.