DEA provides education and training to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or because of a service-related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of educational benefits.

• Eligible children are between ages 18 and 26, and are the dependents of a veteran who is permanently disabled due to a service-related condition; is listed as a POW or MIA; or who died in service, died of a service-connected disability or died while evaluated with a permanent service-related disability.
• The spouse of a veteran is eligible if the veteran or service member has a service-connected permanent disability or is listed as POW or MIA.
• A surviving spouse is eligible if the veteran died of a service-connected disability, died in service or died while evaluated with a permanent service-related disability.  Surviving spouses whose benefits stopped when they remarried can regain DEA benefits if their remarriage separates or ends.

First Time Applicants 

• You must complete VA form 22-5490, Application for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.

Transfer Students

• Complete VA form 22-5495, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.

Where to Send Your Forms

Veteran educational forms are available on the US Department of Veterans Affairs website at the following address:  www.gibill.va.gov

Send your completed forms to either the Capitol College Office of Financial Aid or mail them directly to: VA Processing Center, VA Regional Processing Office, PO Box 4616, Buffalo, New York 14240-4616.

Mailing your forms directly to the VA Payment Processing Center will expedite the application process.  If you decide to mail the form directly to Buffalo, New York, please fax a copy of what you have sent to the Veterans Administration to 301-369-2328.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility for educational benefits, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4511.