Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To provide educational opportunities to the dependents of certain disabled and deceased Veterans.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Spouses, surviving spouses, and children (including stepchild or adopted child) between age 18 and 26 of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities, of living veterans whose service-connected disabilities are considered permanently and totally disabling, of those who died from any cause while such service-connected disabilities were in existence, of servicepersons who have been listed for a total of more than 90 days as currently missing in action, or as currently prisoners of war, a service member who VA determines has a service connected permanent and total disability and at the time of VA's determination is a member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment; and is likely to be discharged or released from service for this service-connected disability. Children under the age of 18 may be eligible under special circumstances.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Awards are authorized at the regional processing office.
Program details & compliance
Description
To provide educational opportunities to the dependents of certain disabled and deceased Veterans.
Mission Categories
Primary: Higher Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Participants may pursue: (1) courses at colleges and universities leading to associate, bachelor or graduate degrees (including courses taken via accredited independent study, provided those courses lead to a standard college degree or a certificate that reflects educational attainment offered by an institution of higher learning); (2) courses leading to a certificate or diploma from colleges or universities or from business, technical or vocational schools; (3) apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs; (4) correspondence courses, but only for spouses and surviving spouses; (5) state-approved teacher certification programs; (6) preparatory courses for tests necessary for admission to a college or graduate school; (7) reimbursement for licensing and certification tests approved for veterans; (8) reimbursement for national exams for admission to college or for college credit; (9) courses leading to a high school diploma or equivalent. A special restorative training benefit is available for both children and spouses who need to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability so that they will be able to pursue a program of education. A specialized vocational training program is available for those who are not in need of special restorative training but require specialized vocational training because of a mental or physical handicap.
Restrictions
You may be eligible for these benefits if both you and the Veteran or service member meet certain eligibility requirements.
1 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
Required Documentation
Military discharge certificate, death certificate, or official document verifying Prisoner of War (POW) status or Missing in Action (MIA) status, marriage certificate, and birth certificate(s).