Education & Family Benefits
Your service earned more than a discharge paper. It earned a college degree, a trade certification, a monthly housing allowance while you study, and — if you are rated 100% or gave everything — education and healthcare for your children, too. These are not loans, not scholarships, and not charity. They are earned benefits, every one of them, and this page walks you through all of them in plain English so you know exactly what you have, what your family has, and how to use it.
What These Benefits Are Worth
These are the real dollar values behind the programs on this page. Every cent is earned, tax-free, and never repaid.
Per year at private or foreign schools under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Fry Scholarship (2025–2026 academic year).
Monthly payment for a full-time student under DEA Chapter 35 (rate effective October 1, 2025).
The GI Bill provides up to 36 months; VR&E (Chapter 31) provides up to 48 months — and they are separate entitlements.
Every benefit on this page is earned, not borrowed. None of it is a loan, and nothing is ever repaid.
Five Ways the VA Pays for Education
Two programs for you. Three programs for your family. Each one below has its own full guide — who qualifies, what it covers, how to apply, and the mistakes that cost families the most. Tap any card to open its complete walkthrough.
For the veteran
For your family
CHAMPVA: Health Coverage for Your Family
If you are rated permanently and totally (100%) disabled from a service-connected condition, your spouse and children may qualify for CHAMPVA — a VA health program that shares the cost of their medical care, much like insurance. The same rating that unlocks DEA education benefits for your children can also cover their doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health care, and hospital stays.
- Covers doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health, hospital stays, and preventive care for your spouse and children.
- No enrollment fee. Minimal copays. The VA shares the cost the way an insurance plan would.
- Your family can see most civilian providers who accept CHAMPVA — you are not limited to VA facilities.
- Many families qualify for both DEA and CHAMPVA at the same time and never realize it. If your rating is P&T, check both.
How to Claim These Benefits for You and Your Family
Each program has its own detailed guide (tap any card above), but here is the overview so you know where to start.
Know which benefit fits your situation
If you are the veteran using the benefit yourself: Post-9/11 GI Bill (school) or VR&E Chapter 31 (career rebuilding with a disability). If your family is using it: DEA Chapter 35 (you are 100% P&T), the Fry Scholarship (service member died in the line of duty), or Transfer GI Bill (you pass your months while still serving).
Confirm your qualifying status
For the GI Bill: your DD-214 shows qualifying post-9/11 service. For DEA and CHAMPVA: your VA rating letter says "permanent and total." For VR&E: you need at least a 10% service-connected disability rating. If you are not sure, a free representative can check in minutes.
Apply with the right form
Post-9/11 GI Bill: VA Form 22-1990. DEA or Fry: VA Form 22-5490 (the dependent applies). Transfer GI Bill: milConnect (DoD, not VA). VR&E: VA Form 28-1900. All are available online at VA.gov.
Give your Certificate of Eligibility to the school
After the VA approves your application, they send a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You hand it to your school's veterans certifying official, who verifies enrollment and starts the payments.
Get your rating right first
Your disability rating connects to everything. A higher, more accurate rating can unlock DEA for your children, CHAMPVA for your family, VR&E for your career, and tax-free income for life. Scroll down for a free, no-obligation review.
Things No One Told You — But Should Have
Your GI Bill benefits never expire if you separated on or after January 1, 2013 — there is no 15-year deadline.
Using VR&E (Chapter 31) does not consume your GI Bill months — they are separate entitlements. You can use both, sequentially.
A surviving spouse does not lose Fry Scholarship eligibility upon remarriage (effective January 2, 2025).
VA disability compensation is not income — it does not count against need-based financial aid, and it does not reduce your education benefits.
You have the right to request a female advisor or counselor in any VA education program.
Official VA Links & Numbers
Everything you need is on this page and in each program's full guide. These official links take you straight to the source.
Education & Family Benefits — Official VA Links
All program details are on this page and in each program's full guide. These official links take you straight to the VA pages and forms.
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
va.gov — your education benefit
Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to family
Must be done while still serving
DEA (Chapter 35)
Dependents' education for P&T families
Fry Scholarship
Post-9/11 survivor education
VR&E (Chapter 31)
Vocational rehabilitation for disabled vets
CHAMPVA
Health coverage for dependents of P&T veterans
VA Form 22-5490
Application for survivors' & dependents' education
GI Bill Comparison Tool
Compare schools, costs, and outcomes
Questions? Women Veterans Call Center
1-855-829-6636Free, confidential — they can help you and your family find the right education benefit.
GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-442-4551 (Mon–Fri 8am–7pm ET)
Not sure which education benefit is worth more for your family?
We focus on veterans the VA has already denied or under-rated. We do not take brand-new (initial) claims, and we do not take every case.
Guidance from a VA-accredited claims agent (#45147). Any figures are estimates that depend on your situation and the VA's decision — not legal or medical advice, and not the VA.