Dependents' Educational Assistance (Ch. 35)
Education benefits for spouse and children of permanently disabled veterans.
About this benefit
Eligibility
Veteran must be rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T). This includes veterans with a 100% schedular rating or TDIU, provided the VA has designated the rating as permanent with no future exams scheduled. OR the veteran must have died from a service-connected condition. Dependents include spouse and children.
Children — qualifying events ON OR AFTER August 1, 2023 (PACT Act / Isakson-Roe Act): NO age limit and NO time limit on use. For qualifying events BEFORE August 1, 2023: generally ages 18-26 (must use within an 8-year window before age 26).
Spouse — qualifying events ON OR AFTER August 1, 2023: NO time limit. For qualifying events BEFORE August 1, 2023: must use within 10 years (sometimes 20 years for certain death cases) from VA notification of P&T status or veteran's death.
Duration
Up to 36 months of benefits for those whose eligibility was established on or after August 1, 2018; up to 45 months if eligibility was established before that date.
Covers
Monthly education allowance ($1,574.00/month full-time for the October 2025 - September 2026 rate year), tuition assistance, and tutorial assistance.
How to apply
Dependent submits VA Form 22-5490 online at va.gov.
Verified against official source
Last checked 2026-04-30 against www.va.gov. Always confirm current rates and rules with the VA before applying — eligibility rules and dollar amounts change with each fiscal year.
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