If you’re the spouse, child, or dependent of a veteran using the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, this post is for you.
Today, we’re revealing and explaining the updated 2025 Chapter 35 DEA pay rates, which are effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
You’ll also learn how the VA determines your payment amounts and key details about the educational programs covered by DEA.
Navigating these various VA education benefits can be confusing, but I’m here to break it down simply so you can maximize what you’ve earned!
Table of Contents
How the VA Determines Your Chapter 35 DEA Pay Rate
The VA calculates your monthly DEA benefits based on two main factors:
- Type of education or training you’re pursuing (college, vocational, on-the-job, etc.)
- Course load or hours you’re enrolled in (full-time, part-time, or specific hours for job training)
It’s important to note that you might receive less than the full monthly rate in situations where you’re taking fewer courses or clock hours than what the VA considers full-time.
This applies whether you’re enrolled in a college program, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training.
Pro Tip: Always check how your course load impacts your payments, and if possible, aim for full-time enrollment to maximize your benefits.
Updated 2025 DEA Chapter 35 Rates Chart By Program and Enrollment Type
| Type of Enrollment | Monthly Pay Rates (Effective October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Institutions of Higher Learning (Colleges/Universities): | |
| Full-time enrollment | $1,536.00 per month |
| 3/4-time enrollment | $1,214.00 per month |
| 1/2-time enrollment | $890.00 per month |
| Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment | $890.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| 1/4-time enrollment or less | $384.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| Non-College Degree Programs (Trade/Vocational Schools): | |
| Full-time enrollment | $1,536.00 per month |
| 3/4-time enrollment | $1,214.00 per month |
| 1/2-time enrollment | $890.00 per month |
| Less than 1/2-time and more than 1/4-time enrollment | $890.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| 1/4-time enrollment or less | $384.00 per month (or tuition and fees, whichever is less) |
| On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships: | |
| Months 1-6 | $975.00 per month |
| Months 7-12 | $733.00 per month |
| Months 13-18 | $481.00 per month |
| More than 19 months | $245.00 per month |
| Correspondence Training: | |
| Correspondence Training Rate | 55% of the established cost per lesson you complete |
| Special Restorative Training (Children Only): | |
| Full-time enrollment | $1,536.00 per month |
| Accelerated charges (if applicable) | All tuition costs over $405.00 per month |
2025 Chapter 35 DEA Benefits Rates Explained
These new pay rates cover a full month of enrollment, but if you’re only enrolled part of the month, your payment will be prorated (meaning you’ll get a percentage based on the days you’re actually enrolled).
For Institutions of Higher Learning (Colleges/Universities)
- Full-time enrollment: $1,536.00 per month
- 3/4-time enrollment: $1,214.00 per month
- 1/2-time enrollment: $890.00 per month
- Less than 1/2-time enrollment: $890.00 or the cost of tuition and fees (whichever is lower)
- 1/4-time or less: $384.00 or the cost of tuition and fees (whichever is lower)
Example: If you start school halfway through the month, and the full monthly rate is $1,536.00, you’ll only receive a prorated amount based on the days you were enrolled. So, if you’re enrolled for 10 days, you’ll get one-third of that full-time rate.
>> Learn more about undergraduate and graduate degree granting programs the VA might help pay for.
For Non-College Degree Programs (Trade/Vocational Schools)
The rates for non-college programs work similarly to those for colleges.
The VA will pay based on your enrollment status:
- Full-time: $1,536.00 per month
- 3/4-time: $1,214.00 per month
- 1/2-time: $890.00 per month
- Less than 1/2-time: $890.00 or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is lower
- 1/4-time or less: $384.00 or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is lower
Example: If you’re attending a 90-day term but only enrolled for 2/3 of the term, you’d get a prorated payment based on your enrollment days.
>> Learn more about non-college degree programs the VA might help pay for.
For On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeships
The VA will pay you based on the number of months you’ve been in your training program:
- Months 1-6: $975.00 per month
- Months 7-12: $733.00 per month
- Months 13-18: $481.00 per month
- More than 19 months: $245.00 per month
Note: To receive these full amounts, you must complete at least 120 hours of work per month.
>> Learn more about on-the-job training and apprenticeships the VA might help pay for.
For Correspondence Training
If you’re taking courses by mail or online under the correspondence program, the VA will cover 55% of the total cost of the courses you complete.
Only spouses are eligible for correspondence training under Chapter 35.
>> Learn more about correspondence training the VA might help pay for.
For Special Restorative Training
This is a unique option for children using Chapter 35 benefits (spouses aren’t eligible).
If you qualify, you’ll get:
- Full-time rate: $1,536.00 per month
- For accelerated charges, the VA will also cover tuition and fees over $405.00 per month.
>> Learn more about VA special restorative training and benefits.
Got Questions About Your DEA Chapter 35 Benefits?
The updated DEA pay rates are crucial for planning your education and maximizing your benefits.
If you’re unsure about how much you’ll receive or if you have any specific questions, we recommend reaching out to the VA directly using the contact information below.
Contact the VA About Your Chapter 35 DEA Benefits
- Phone Number: 1-888-442-4551 (TTY: 711)
- Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
- You can also submit your Chapter 35 DEA questions online through the Ask VA platform.
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.
