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GI Bill Information: Ask the Expert BlogPosts Tagged ‘Dependents’ and Survivors’ Education Assistance Program’
October 27th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
Do I have to live with my mom and step dad in order to get benefits? I have been living with my mom and step dad for 10 months after they got married in January 2010. I recently filed a claim with a VA certification officer at my college and she said I was under Chapter 35 and I was supposed to get like $900 per month. She also back-tracked me for the previous semester that I attended college because I did not claim or get benefits last semester because I didn’t know anything about VA/GI Bill etc, but I was going to college full time while my mom was remarried on Jan 7 2010, the school semester started Jan 20 2010 and ended June 8 2010 then it started again Aug 30, 2010 and ends Dec. 18 2010. But if I go to live with my grandmother will I still get benefits? Brandon
Hi Brandon, The Dependents and Survivors’ Education Assistance Program (DEA) is for the spouses and children or stepchildren of service members who are permanently and totally disabled due to their military service or who die from those injuries. Where you live has no affect on whether you receive the benefits; the only thing that matters is that you have a parent or step-parent who meet the criteria and that you are between the ages of 18 and 26.
You can live at home, at an apartment or dorm, or with your grandmother and still use the benefits for approved programs as long as you still have the benefits and haven’t turned 26 yet. In that aspect the DEA is similar to Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits that have been transferred to a dependent child.
You can get an extension of the benefits if you enter the military, but normally the DEA benefits can’t be extended past 31 years of age.
October 26th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
This post is continued from the previous post:
- 5. How many years are we covered for college?
- 6. Does the GI Bill pay for on-campus housing?
- 7. Are we still eligible for scholarships, grants, and student loans?
- 8. Does the GI Bill pay for out-of-state tuition? If so, under what circumstances?
- 9. What’s the difference between the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill? – Cardiellea
5. Each of you would get up to 45 months of benefits.
6. No, you have to pay all your own education expenses out of your monthly DEA payment.
7. Yes you are.
8. No. The DEA program pays a fixed monthly amount, so any expenses above and beyond that amount would have to come from other financial sources.
9. The basic differences between the two GI Bills in that the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) pays a student a fixed rate of $1,426 per month and the student has to pay all his/her own education expenses, such as tuition, fee, books, etc. Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays the student’s school directly for tuition and eligible fees up to the in-state maximums. The student gets a monthly housing allowance paid at the pay grade of E-5 with dependents based on the zip code of the school. Also, the student get paid $41.67 per credit up to the $1,000 annual limit which is enough for 24 semester credit hours per year.
The other big difference is what programs each GI Bill will pay. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is focused on degree-producing courses. If you plan to take a non-degree course such as a trade, technical or a course resulting in a certification or license, the MGIB would be a better GI Bill to use.
October 25th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I have several questions:
- What GI Bill would I get as a dependent if my father is a Retired Veteran of 22 years in the service who is disabled?
- What educational benefits would I receive under those circumstances?
- Will my sister and I get separate GI Bills?
- Will my sister and I have to share the monthly allowances?
– Cardiellea
Cardiella, I split your question in two so I could keep my answer within the word-count limit. The rest of your questions are answered in the next post. I answered your questions using your same numbering system and in the order asked:
1. If the VA rated your father’s disability as permanent and total (100%), and you are under the age of 26, you may be eligible for Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program (DEA)). If your father is not rated at 100%, or you are older than 26, then you are most likely not eligible for the program.
2. If you and your sister qualify for DEA, each of you could get up to 45 months of entitlement, which are months of benefits.
3. If each of you qualifies, then each of you would get your own DEA program of benefits.
4. No, with each of you having your own program, you would each get a monthly payment of $936 for full-time student status. Out of that monthly amount, you have to pay your own tuition, fees and other education-related expenses.
September 14th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I recently was awarded VA disability of 100% total and permanent, I have two children in college full time this fall. How can I apply the DEA program toward their education as school starts 25 Aug. I received the letter 11 Aug with effective date of 10 July. Thank You. – Tom
Tom, you are not going to be able to apply and get anything for the semester just starting. It takes 8 to 10 weeks for the VA to process Chapter 35 applications, but next semester is definitely doable, if they apply now.
Have each of your kids fill go out to the VONAPP Website and out VA Form 22-5490. Once their DEA applications are approved, each will get back a Certificate of Eligibility that they will need when registering for their next semester.
Once their Certificates of Eligibility matches up with their school’s Certificate of Enrollment, that will trigger the start of the payment process. Right now, each should get paid a monthly benefit of $936 each. Each child in the DEA program will get 45 months of school benefits that they will have to use up by their 26th birthday. Whatever is left unused at that point is lost.
September 10th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I am the child of a deceased Air Force Veteran and I am trying to find out about the Montgomery G.I. Bill that he left behind. I’m not sure how it works or how much it covers, so all I’m really looking for is general information. I need to know if it covers all or some of college tuition, boarding, books, and other fees. I’ve done a little research on my own, but have not found quite what I’m looking for. Any information is appreciated! – J.S.
Generally speaking J.S., the Montgomery GI Bill is not transferable to dependents, so unless your dad took advantage of the transfer option during the short time the Air Force had their transfer pilot project, I doubt if you have any GI Bill to use, however, it sounds you might qualify for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program (DEA).
Under that program, you can get up to 45 months of education benefit, payable at $936 per month starting on October 1, 2010, if you go to school full-time. You will have to pay all your education-related expenses from that amount – tuition, fees, books, room and board, etc.
To be eligible for the program, your dad would have had to pass away as a result from a service-connected disability, injury or accident. To apply, send in VA Form 22-5490.
If you qualify for DEA benefits, you can start using the program once you turn 18 and you must finish using your 45 months of benefits before turning age 26. Any unused benefits at that point, you lose.
September 9th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I’m 17 years of age and I get Chapter 35 checks. I was wondering if my parents are the ones to control my checks or if the money goes straight to me? So I control the money that I get through Chapter 35? – James
You’re confusing me James. In the first sentence you say you are getting Chapter 35 checks, so I’m assuming you are already receiving them, but then in the next sentence it sounds like you aren’t getting them yet. Do you mean to say you are authorized to get Chapter 35 checks? The money will go to where ever you tell the VA to send it. When you fill out your DEA application, VA Form 22-5490, in Block 8 you can enter your direct deposit information and have the money automatically go into your account, or if you leave that block blank, the VA will send your check to the address in Block 9 addressed to you.
If you get your DEA payment by check at your parents address, then there is nothing to say your parents won’t get to the mail before you, however, if it goes directly into a bank account, then you, and who else you have listed on the account, will be the only ones having access to it. As a minor, you probably had to have a parent listed as an account sponsor or co-owner. You will have to check with your bank to see how you can restrict who can tap into your money.
August 18th, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
Hello, is there anywhere we can find out exactly what costs are covered once the GI Bill transfer is approved and the dependent child is accepted to the school of choice? By the way thank you for this question board, there are sooo many questions. – Nikki
I can’t tell you exactly Nikki, without knowing the zip code of your school, but I can point you to the right places and you can look it up for yourself.
First, with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays your tuition and eligible fees, up to the highest public school undergraduate program amount in the state where you will go to school. Each state has a different maximum amount for tuition and another amount for fees.
This means the VA will pay up to this amount, but not automatically this amount. If your school charges less per credit, or your fees are lower than the maximum, the VA will pay only actual costs up to these maximums. On the VA’s Website, you can look up the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition and fees amounts for your school’s state.
The other variable is housing allowance. You will be paid at the pay grade of an E-5 with dependents for the zip code of your school. Use the BAH calculator to estimate how much you will get. Type in your school’s zip code in the Duty Zip Code field. From the Pay Grade drop-down menu, select E-5. When the results come up, use the “with dependents” amount. You will also get a book stipend paid at the rate of $41.67 per credit, with a maximum amount of $1,000 per year as part of your Post 9/11 GI Bill transferred benefits.
July 30th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
My question is I am 32 years old. My father who was a Vietnam Veteran 100% service connected at the time of his death. My father never explained to us that we could use the DEA education. Is it too late for me to use the GI Bill Chapter 35? Nomi
Hi Nomi, I’m sorry to hear about your father. You may have missed out on the Dependents’ and Survivors’ Education Assistance Program (DEA) benefits if you are now 32. Normally the DEA pays up until a dependent child is 26 years old, but there are a number of extensions available to eligible children to be able to use the benefits up until 31 years of age.
About the only way to get an extension past 31 years of age is if the dependent child served on active duty or their National Guard unit was activated after 10 September 2001. If that happened, the DEA benefits can be extended for the time spent on active duty plus 4 months, even if it takes the benefits past 31 years of age.
If you have a good reason for not using the benefits, it wouldn’t hurt to contact the VA, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Good reasons would be like an illness kept you from using the benefits or your employment would not permit you to take the time to use the benefits. I would be prepared to offer solid proof for whatever argument you use.
You may have better luck at this point trying your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. Many states have programs similar to the VA’s DEA program and their age limitations may be a little more generous. You may be able to get some tuition assistance at a state supported college or university.
I would also try the financial aid office of the school you are thinking of attending. Many times there are scholarships available that don’t receive a lot of publicity. I would think that being the child of a Vietnam Veteran you should be able to find some assistance.
June 23rd, 2010
by Ron Kness
by Ron Kness
I’m wanting to transfer my Post 9/11 GI Bill to my daughter that will attend school this fall. However, my ex-wife (her mother) is a disabled veteran and she is able to use the DEA program. Can she use both at the same time, since it’s from 2 different members and different programs? Thanks! — Charles
No Charles, she can’t use both programs at the same time, however, she can get some benefits consecutively from both programs.
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, you could transfer a maximum of 36 months of education benefits to your daughter. Once she starts school, the VA would pay her school directly for her tuition and eligible fees, up to the in-state maximum established by the VA for her state. She would get paid a monthly housing allowance calculated at the E-5-with-dependents rate for the zip code of her school and book stipend up to $1,000 per year.
Under DEA, she would get up to 45 months of education benefits from her mother, but the DEA only pays $925 per month and she has to pay all her own expenses.
Under the Rule of 48, if a person qualifies for two or more GI Bills, that person can get a combined maximum benefit of 48 months. Financially, it would be a much better deal for your daughter to use your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for 36 months first, and then switch over to DEA to get an additional 12 months of education benefits, if she needs it.
Also, the VA is very specific about DEA benefits. The veteran has to be permanently and totally disabled. If your ex-wife is not rated by the VA as 100% disabled, then your daughter would not get DEA benefits to begin with. She is much safer (and it is more lucrative for her) using your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
June 17th, 2010
by Jeffery Anderson
by Jeffery Anderson
If I am able to apply for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program, does that mean they will cover 100% of tuition fees? And am I able to apply for an international college in the WEAMS list, and will they cover all tuition costs and more? Joshua
Hi Joshua, I’m afraid the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) doesn’t work quite like that. If you are eligible for DEA, then you can receive up to 45 months of financial assistance to attend an approved school or program.. The amount of tuition assistance you receive is based on what classification of student you are while attending school. If you are a full time student you can receive up to $925 during the months you are attending classes. The amount is adjusted for inflation and cost of living each year, so the amount of the assistance next year should be a little larger.
DEA doesn’t have a housing or book allowance like the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The assistance DEA can provide is for tuition and fees. If you happen to be eligible for another GI Bill, there is a possibility that you can receive up to 48 months of education benefits between the two GI Bills.
You can attend an overseas college while using DEA benefits, but it must be while pursuing a degree and it must be a VA approved degree program at an approved institution. I would double check to make sure the school and program is approved before committing to attend any overseas school. The amount of benefits you receive remains the same that it would be if you were attending a domestic school.
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