VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain Veterans.

Basic Eligibility:

Eligible individuals are Veterans and Service members’ dependents, spouses and surviving spouses who have been found eligible by the Regional Processing Office (RPO) because of one of the following:

  • The Veteran’s death was caused by the service-connected disability; The Veteran is rated for total and permanent service-connected disability
  • The Service member is Missing in Action (MIA); The Service member is captured in the line of duty
  • The Service member is forcibly detained for longer than 90 days; The Service member who VA determines has a service-connected permanent and total disability that will result in a discharge from military service
  • Participants include a dependent child between the ages of 14 to 31 and a spouse, or surviving spouse, who qualifies for the benefit
    You must complete the 22 5490 application and submit the form to the VA in order to receive the Certificate of Eligibility(COE)

Required Documents: To start your DEA Benefits, bring the following documents to the Veterans Services Office in Evans Hall, Room 110:

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • Official Degree Plan from your Academic Advisor
  • Student Detail Schedule showing current registration (Panther Tracks)
  • Enrollment Data Form filled out and signed by student (Enrollment Data Form)
  • Notice of Understanding signed by student (Notice Of Understanding Form)

Chapter 35 students will receive a monthly stipend based on the amount hours they are enrolled during the term.

Be Advised:
Students will only be certified for courses that fit the requirements of the PVAMU degree plan for their major or minor field of study. Students must obtain a copy of this degree plan from their college/department and refer to it prior to each registration. VA will not pay for any courses and/or labs that are not required for your approved degree program. Additionally, the VA requires you must report any changes in your schedule to the Certifying Official as soon as the changes occur to prevent over payment. Failure to report schedule reductions and/or withdrawals could result in the loss of benefits dating back to the first day of the semester and subsequent liability for any resulting over payment in tuition, housing allowance, and book stipend. You must report any changes in your enrollment and approved degree/program as they occur. You must report all changes to your major and/or your minor field of study.