At times, VA educational benefits for dependents differ from those used by veterans. As schools continue to see more dependents enroll in institutions of higher education, it is important to have best practices in place for managing these unique benefits, as well as helping military dependents acclimate to new college communities.

Chapter 35 Benefits

Chapter 35 benefits are solely for dependents and survivors of veterans. There are several qualifiers for this type of benefit. For children and spouses of service members, at least one of the following must be true in order to be eligible for Chapter 35 benefits: the service member died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001; the service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force; the service member was detained (held) by force while in the line of duty by a foreign government or power; or the service member is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability, and is likely to be discharged for that disability. For children and spouses of veterans, at least one of the following must be true in order to be eligible for Chapter 35 benefits: the veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or the veteran died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. There are two programs under Chapter 35 benefits based on eligibility criteria.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (more commonly known as the Fry Scholarship) is for children and spouses of active-duty service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, or members of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001. The Fry Scholarship includes several qualifiers which can be found here. Those eligible may be able to get up to 36 months of benefits, including money for tuition, housing, and books and supplies.

DEA Program

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and training to qualified dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of a service-related condition or died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. This benefit consists of a monthly payment to help cover the cost of college or graduate degree programs, career-training certificate courses, educational and career counseling, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. If students began using this benefit before August 1, 2018, they can receive up to 45 months of this benefit. However, if students began using the benefit on or after August 1, 2018, then they can receive up to 36 months of this benefit.

Chapter 33 Benefits

Military dependents often use Chapter 33 benefits, more commonly referred to as the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. A qualifying service member, or veteran, has the option of transferring their benefits to their spouse or child through an approval from the Department of Defense, allowing many more to be able to attend school at a reduced price. Dependent children using the Post 9/11 GI Bill® can receive money for tuition, housing, books, and supplies. The Yellow Ribbon Program may also be available to qualifying individuals, which can cover higher tuition rates.

Receiving These Benefits

If students qualify for multiple benefits at one time, they will need to pick one or the other when attending school. Receiving these benefits begins with applying for VA educational benefits for dependents online. Once benefits are awarded, students can bring their eligibility letter to their school or employer in order for school certifying officials to help them enroll into the system and begin using their benefits immediately.

Dependent Challenges

Many of those receiving VA education benefits are young high school graduates who are navigating their first taste of freedom outside their parents’ home. This could mean moving to a new school or city without the comfort of their family and friends and learning how to manage money for the first time. Although every family functions differently, it is especially essential to help these students understand their educational benefits, as they will be the primary contact between the VA and their school (and, sometimes, their parents). It is important to note that there are many intricacies when dealing with dependent and transfer benefits. For example, students may receive housing payments throughout the school year, and parents may not see money they were expecting to see. Aiding military dependents in grasping how to use and implement their VA educational benefits is critical to their success at the university.

Next Steps

While attending my undergraduate university, I was fortunate to have worked in the military and veteran services office, so I had an in-depth understanding of many different types of benefits. Additionally, I was exposed to the behind-the-scenes work of how schools communicated with the VA, further helping me gain a vast understanding of the world of VA educational benefits. Based on my personal experience, the ability to clearly understand the process of applying, receiving, and obtaining benefits and payments at my university not only assisted me with my benefits, but also other acquaintances who were using educational benefits. At George Washington University, the office distributes Student Checklists in order to spell out the steps necessary for receiving benefits at this school. They separate the checklists by benefit, including Tuition Assistance and Veterans Readiness & Employment benefits. These are extremely helpful in explaining step-by-step processes to new students and parents of dependents who may also be confused on how VA educational benefits work at their specific school.

How does your institution help military dependents navigate their education benefits? Share in the comments! 

Article Topics

Military Educational Benefits Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success

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