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If you’re the spouse, child, or dependent of a Veteran and you’re using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, this article is for you.
VA disability expert Brian Reese reveals and explains the updated FY 2026 Chapter 35 DEA pay rates, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
You’ll also learn exactly how the VA determines your DEA payment, when (and why) payments are prorated, what happens if you’re enrolled less than half-time, and how special programs like apprenticeships, correspondence training, and licensing/certification tests work under Chapter 35.
Table of Contents
Who Is Eligible for Chapter 35 DEA?
Chapter 35 DEA is designed to help certain eligible spouses and children pay for education and training. In general, you may qualify if you’re the spouse or child of a Veteran who has died, is missing, or has a permanent and total service-connected disability. (DEA eligibility can be nuanced, so if you’re unsure, confirm your status through VA.gov or your school’s certifying official.)
Pro Tip: If you’re not eligible for DEA, you may still qualify for other survivor education programs like the Fry Scholarship depending on the facts. Always compare benefits before you commit to one path.
How the VA Determines Your Chapter 35 DEA Pay Rate
The VA calculates your monthly DEA benefit based on two core factors:
- The type of education or training you’re pursuing (college/university, trade/vocational, apprenticeship/OJT, correspondence, special restorative training, etc.).
- Your training time (how many courses you’re taking, your clock hours, or how far along you are in an apprenticeship/on-the-job program).
You may receive less than the full monthly rate if you’re enrolled below full-time, your clock hours are less than full-time, or you’re in an apprenticeship/on-the-job training program where the payment steps down over time.
Bottom line: Chapter 35 is not a flat “one-size-fits-all” payment. The VA ties your payment to how you’re training this month.
2026 VA DEA Chapter 35 Pay Chart
The pay rates below are the official DEA monthly payment amounts for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Remember: these are amounts for a full month of enrollment. If you’re enrolled for only part of a month, your payment is typically prorated based on the days you were enrolled.
| Program Type / Training Time | DEA Monthly Pay Rate (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Institutions of Higher Learning (Colleges/Universities) | |
| – Full-time enrollment | $1,574.00 per month |
| – 3/4-time enrollment | $1,244.00 per month |
| – 1/2-time enrollment | $912.00 per month |
| – Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time | $912.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| – 1/4-time enrollment or less | $393.50 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| Non-College Degree Programs (Trade/Vocational Schools) | |
| – Full-time enrollment | $1,574.00 per month |
| – 3/4-time enrollment | $1,244.00 per month |
| – 1/2-time enrollment | $912.00 per month |
| – Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time | $912.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| – 1/4-time enrollment or less | $393.50 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Apprenticeships | |
| – Months 1–6 | $999.00 per month |
| – Months 7–12 | $751.00 per month |
| – Months 13–18 | $493.00 per month |
| – More than 19 months | $251.00 per month |
| Correspondence Training | |
| – Correspondence training rate | 55% of the established cost per lesson completed |
| Special Restorative Training (Children Only) | |
| – Special restorative training (full-time) | $1,574.00 per month |
| – Accelerated charges (if eligible) | Tuition and fees over $415.00 per month |
| Licensing / Certification / National Tests | |
| – Licensing & certification test fees | Up to $2,000 (for qualifying tests) |
| – Prep courses for licensing/certification tests | Entitlement charged based on fees paid |
| – National test fees | No reimbursement limit (entitlement charged based on fees paid) |
VA Chapter 35 DEA Benefits Rates Explained (By Program Type)
Now let’s break down what these rates mean in real life—because your actual deposit can change based on your start date, training time, and program type.
For Institutions of Higher Learning (Colleges/Universities)
If you’re taking courses at a college or university, your DEA rate depends on your training time (full-time, 3/4-time, 1/2-time, etc.). The VA pays the monthly amount for a full month of enrollment, and then prorates it if you weren’t enrolled the entire month.
- Full-time: $1,574.00/month
- 3/4-time: $1,244.00/month
- 1/2-time: $912.00/month
- Less than 1/2-time (but more than 1/4-time): up to $912.00/month (not more than your tuition and fees)
- 1/4-time or less: up to $393.50/month (not more than your tuition and fees)
Important “less than half-time” rule: If your tuition and fees are less than the monthly cap above, the VA generally won’t pay more than what you actually owe for tuition and fees. In some cases, that can mean a lump-sum payment at the start of the term instead of monthly checks.
Action step: If you’re right on the edge of 1/2-time versus less than 1/2-time, talk to your school’s certifying official before you finalize your schedule. That one decision can change how your DEA money arrives.
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for an undergraduate or graduate degree
For Non-College Degree Programs (Trade/Vocational Schools)
Trade and vocational programs work very similarly to colleges/universities. You’re still paid based on training time, and payments are typically prorated if you’re not enrolled for the full month.
- Full-time: $1,574.00/month
- 3/4-time: $1,244.00/month
- 1/2-time: $912.00/month
- Less than 1/2-time (but more than 1/4-time): up to $912.00/month (not more than tuition and fees)
- 1/4-time or less: up to $393.50/month (not more than tuition and fees)
Why this matters: Many trade programs have clock-hour schedules that don’t “feel” like traditional part-time vs full-time college credit hours. Your school reports your training time to the VA, and that reporting drives your pay rate.
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for a non-college degree program
For On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
OJT and apprenticeship programs are different: the VA pays a higher amount early on, then the payment steps down as you progress in the program.
- Months 1–6: $999.00/month
- Months 7–12: $751.00/month
- Months 13–18: $493.00/month
- More than 19 months: $251.00/month
Critical requirement: To receive the full amounts above, you generally must work at least 120 hours each month. Also, as the monthly payments go down over time, the VA notes that your entitlement charges go down too (meaning you use benefits more slowly later in the program).
Pro Tip: If you’re counting on DEA money to cover recurring bills (rent, childcare, etc.), plan ahead for the step-down. The drop from months 1–6 to months 7–12 can surprise families who don’t see it coming.
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for on-the-job training and apprenticeships
For Correspondence Training
For correspondence training (lessons completed by mail, online, or another method), the VA pays 55% of the established cost for the lessons you complete. You’ll typically need to submit completed lessons to receive payment.
Eligibility note: Only spouses using Chapter 35 benefits can receive correspondence training payments. Children aren’t eligible for this specific correspondence benefit.
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for correspondence training
For Special Restorative Training
Special restorative training is a unique benefit generally used to help an eligible child overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability so they can pursue education or training more effectively.
- Full-time special restorative training: $1,574.00/month
- Accelerated charges (if eligible): VA may cover tuition and fees over $415.00 per month
The VA also notes that they may reduce entitlement by 1 day for every monthly payment of $52.47 (which is 1/30 of the full-time rate).
Learn more about special restorative training
For Licensing, Certification, and National Test Fees
Chapter 35 can also help with certain test fees and prep courses:
- Licensing & certification test fees: VA may pay up to $2,000 for qualifying tests.
- Prep courses for licensing/certification tests: VA charges entitlement based on the fees they pay.
- National test fees: VA notes there’s no limit on reimbursement for national test fees (entitlement is charged based on the fees paid).
Entitlement reminder: For certain test fees and prep courses, the VA charges entitlement at a rate of 1 month for every $1,574.00 in fees they pay (aligned with the full-time monthly DEA rate).
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for licensing and certification tests and prep courses
Learn more about how the VA helps pay for national tests and prep courses
How Prorated Payments Work (Simple Examples)
The VA lists the rates as “for a full month of enrollment.” If you’re enrolled for only part of the month, your payment is typically prorated based on the days you were enrolled.
- Example #1 (prorated month): You’re full-time and your term starts on the 20th of the month. You’re only enrolled for about 11 days that month, so your payment for that month would be roughly one-third of the full monthly rate (because you weren’t enrolled the whole month).
- Example #2 (less than half-time with tuition cap): You’re enrolled less than 1/2-time (but more than 1/4-time). The chart shows “up to $912.00/month,” but the VA generally won’t pay more than your actual tuition and fees. If your tuition and fees for the term are lower than the maximum payable amount, you may receive a lump-sum payment equal to the tuition/fees rather than monthly checks.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure how your school reports training time (full-time vs 3/4-time, etc.), ask the certifying official before the term starts. That one conversation prevents most payment surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) When do Chapter 35 DEA pay rates change?
DEA pay rates are published by the VA for each Fiscal Year (FY). This post covers the official rates effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. If you’re reading this after that window, confirm the current pay chart on VA.gov.
2) Do I automatically get the full monthly rate every month?
Not always. You may receive less than the full amount if you’re not full-time, if your clock hours are below full-time, or if you’re in an apprenticeship/OJT program where payments step down as you progress.
3) What does “training time” mean?
Training time is how the VA categorizes your enrollment level (full-time, 3/4-time, 1/2-time, etc.) based on what your school reports (credit hours/courses or clock hours, depending on the program).
4) Do online classes pay a different DEA rate than in-person classes?
The DEA rate chart is driven by your program type and training time—not the classroom format. The key is how your school reports your enrollment to the VA.
5) What if my term starts in the middle of the month?
Your payment is typically prorated. The VA pays a percentage of the monthly rate based on the number of days you were enrolled that month.
6) What happens if I’m enrolled less than 1/2-time?
For certain less-than-1/2-time situations, the VA may pay up to the listed amount but no more than the cost of your tuition and fees. If tuition/fees are lower than the chart amount, you may receive the tuition/fees amount instead (sometimes as a lump sum).
7) For apprenticeships/OJT, do I need a minimum number of hours?
Yes. To receive the full OJT/apprenticeship monthly amounts, the VA notes you must work at least 120 hours each month.
8) Who can use correspondence training under Chapter 35?
Only spouses using Chapter 35 benefits can get correspondence training payments. Children aren’t eligible for correspondence training under DEA.
9) Can Chapter 35 help pay for licensing or certification tests?
Yes. The VA may pay up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification test fees. DEA can also cover some prep courses, with entitlement charged based on the fees paid.
10) Is there a limit for reimbursement of national test fees?
The VA notes there’s no limit on how much they’ll reimburse for national test fees (entitlement is charged based on fees paid).
Got Questions About Your DEA Chapter 35 Benefits?
These updated rates matter because they impact real decisions: how many classes you take, whether you go full-time, how you budget through a prorated start month, and how you plan around apprenticeship step-down payments.
If something looks off—wrong training time, missing payment, confusion over less-than-half-time, or you just need a clear answer—reach out to the VA directly (and loop in your school’s certifying official when needed).
Contact the VA About Your Chapter 35 DEA Benefits
- Phone: 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711)
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
- Online: Ask VA
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
