The high standards of education are often an obstacle for those who seek to improve themselves. For this reason, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) increases the amount of Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) every year. Keep reading to find out how much is yours this year.
The monthly amount that each beneficiary receives depends on multiple factors. In principle, the VA determines the type of education or training you receive, the number of courses you take, and the time you spend in on-the-job training.
The rate you receive is based on a full-time schedule. Therefore, if you take fewer school courses or hours of training than the VA considers full-time, your payment will be less. The same goes if you receive on-the-job training or are in an internship program.
Another factor that the VA takes into account when determining your DEA is the time you have been enrolled in the program. If you have been enrolled for the entire month, you will receive up to $1,488 monthly if you are in a high-learning institution or non-college degree program. If you are in on-the-job training or an apprenticeship program, you would receive up to $945.
However, if you have not been enrolled for the entire month or spend less than full-time in the program, your payment will be reduced depending on the time you have been enrolled according to these rates.
If you study at a higher learning institution, your payment will depend on the courses you are taking:
In the case of non-college degree programs, you will be paid depending on the hours of class:
Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment: $862 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, which is always less)
1/4-time enrollment or less: $372 for each full month (or the cost of your tuition and fees, whichever is less)
Payment for training and apprenticeship programs depends on the time you have been enrolled in the program:
The new rates will be in effect from October 1, 2023, until September 30, 2024. For more information, contact the VA at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711) during business hours or online through Ask VA.
