General Overview
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and spouses of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Learn more about the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Basic Eligibility
Spouse, children of a veteran and/or service member who meets at least one of the following requirements:
- Is determined to be permanently and totally disabled from service connected causes.
- Is on active duty and is likely to be discharged with a permanent and total disability.
- Died in service.
- Died of service connected causes.
- Is currently missing in action or captured in the line of duty.
To Enroll
- Apply for benefits online through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Veteran Affairs also has information about applying by mail or in-person, and you will need the following paperwork:
- Dependent's Application for VA Educational Assistance: VA Form 22-5490
Required Forms
- Submit Certificate of Eligibility (COE) annually (received in the mail from the VA after processing application for benefits) to the UC Davis Veterans Success Center.
- UC Davis Veterans Success Center In-Take Form for new or transferring students
- Each term (semester/quarter), the student must fill out an Academic Plan Form (APF) and submit it to the UC Davis Veterans Success Center.
- If you used VA benefits at a prior institution, you are required to complete and return a VA form (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) to the UC Davis Veterans Success Center. Dependents use VA Form 22-5495.