Chapter 35 Dependent Education Assistance General & How to Apply

Chapter 35 Dependent Education Assistance (DEA) Purpose

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program, also known as Chapter 35, provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of veterans who are Totally & Permanently disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or because of a service-related condition. 

How to become eligible for the CH 35 D.E.A.

One of these descriptions must be true for the Veteran or service member:

  • The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or
  • The Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability, or
  • The service member died in the line of duty, or
  • The service member is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force for more than 90 days, or
  • The service member was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days, 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.

How the VA determines your monthly stipend (rate)

The VA bases your monthly rate (or payment amount) on these 2 factors:

  • The type of education or training you’re getting, and
  • How many courses you’re taking or how far along you are in your on-the-job training or apprenticeship program

You may get less than the full rate each month if any of these is true:

  • You’re enrolled in fewer courses than what we consider to be full time, or
  • Your clock hours per week are less than what we consider to be full time, or
  • You’re getting on-the-job training, or
  • You’re in an apprenticeship program

 

How to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for Chapter 35 benefits

  1. Go to Education and Career Benefits for Family Members | Veterans Affairs
  2. On the left side of the page select ‘Survivor and Dependent Benefits (DEA)’
  3. On the left side of the page select ‘Apply for DEA / Fry Scholarship’
  4. On the next page you will be directed to sign in using your preferred method of login (DS Login, ID.me, etc.) to start your application.
  5. Complete the application process. It can take the VA up to 30 DAYS to process your digital application, please be sure to check the status online every 2-3 business days.
  6. Once you have the benefit you are entitled to, you may take a screenshot or download a copy of the benefit and upload it into your MVP forms portal.

 

Chapter 35 VA Benefit Certification

Military & Veterans Programs has transitioned to a paperless office environment. All required documents for certification must be submitted to MVP as an attachment to your online electronic form. (link below)

Complete & submit a VA Federal Certification Request via the MVP Forms Portal every semester.

You will need to upload the following supporting documents to your VA Federal Certification Request by selecting “My Applications Tab” via the MVP Forms Portal

  1. Degree Plan
    • From your Raiderlink Portal access the DegreeWorks tab or go to degreeworks.texastech.edu. Download a PDF of your degree plan to upload into your VA Certification Request from your MVP Forms Portal.
  2. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for Chapter 35 DEA 
    • Upload a current copy (less than 6 months old) of your VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Semester award letter from VA.gov in the MVP Forms Portal located at mvp.ttu.edu OR A copy of the Statement of Benefits from www.va.gov. 
  3. Military Payment Plan 
    • Apply for up to a 60 day extension on the first due date of tuition and fees by following this link to the Service - Military Benefits website. There is no enrollment fee for the Military Payment Plan; however, a Military Payment Plan Enrollment Request form must be submitted each semester the student wishes to enroll in the plan. 

If you need assistance obtaining your COE, please call VA education benefits (Monday – Friday, 8:00am -7:00pm ET) at 1(888) 442-4551 or visit va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.

 

Official communication is done through TTU Email.
The MVP Office will contact you via TTU email if additional documentation is required.
This checklist is a guide to successfully completing a VA Certification application.
Students have up to the last day of classes to submit their application, please see the Texas Tech Academic Calendar.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ENSURE THEY HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION & UPLOADED NEEDED DOCUMENTS EACH SEMESTER.

Print Article