Ch 35: Survivors and Dependents
Eligibility
You must be the child or spouse of:
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.
Period of Eligibility
If you are a child of an eligible veteran and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit.
If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty. To pursue training after military service, your discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This extension cannot generally go beyond your 31st birthday; there are some exceptions.
If you are a spouse of an eligible veteran, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.
For surviving spouses (spouses of service members who died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death.
To Apply
To apply for Chapter 35 benefits, you need to fill out an Application for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance, form 22-5490. Also needed is a copy of the Veteran’s DD-214 form and a copy of your schedule.
State Waiver
If you are a North Dakota Veteran, or have lived in North Dakota for 10 years prior to request for the tuition waiver, you are eligible for a North Dakota State Tuition Waiver. To verify North Dakota Veteran status, we need a copy of the your DD-214. To verify residency, we need a receipt of taxes paid or North Dakota driver's license for the past 10 years. The state will then waive your tuition (minus fees) for the semester/academic year. This applies only to a bachelor’s degree earned within 45 months or 10 semesters.
Benefits
Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months or 10 semesters of education benefits for an undergraduate degree.
These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
View Current Rates
Direct Deposit
Direct Deposit is not currently available for Chapter 35 recipients.
