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

• Apply for benefits online through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs 
• Veteran Affairs also has information about applying by mail or in-person, and you will need the following paperwork:
  • Dependent's Application for VA Educational Assistance: VA Form 22-5490

Required Forms for UC Davis

• Submit the following documentation to the Office of the University Registrar through the OUR Veterans Portal:
  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • Intake form
  • Academic Plan Form (APF) - submitted every term
• 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. Veterans use VA Form 22-1995.