Chapter 35: Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

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

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.