Chapter 35, Survivors' and Dependents

What Is Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance ?

Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance is an education benefit for eligible spouses and children of certain veterans. Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits for:

  • College, Technical or Vocational Courses, Independent Study or Distance Learning courses, etc.
  • Apprenticeship/On-the-Job Training
  • Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases)
  • The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance in a job

    Am I eligible?

    To be an 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.

    What are the benefits?

    Spouses and surviving spouses have 10 years from the date VA establishes eligibility to use the benefit. Surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty have 20 years from the date of the veteran's death to use the benefit. Forty-five months of entitlement are allowed under this program.

    Children may use the benefit while they are between the ages of 18 and 26.

    Payment rates is as follows: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm

    How Can You Apply?

    You can come to the Office of Veterans Affairs located in Administration Building , Room 348. You would have to fill out a DD Form 22-5490 and give a copy of certificate of eligibility as a dependent of a disabled veteran. You can also apply online through the VA web site at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp .

    *In addition, Stony Brook students need to fill out a Stony Brook Application , and a copy of their current schedule needs to be submitted.