Benefit Information

Chapter 35: Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program

Chapter 35 provides up a monthly stipend to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

• The VA direct-pays the student a monthly stipend based on enrollment status beginning the month after classes start for the previous month's enrollment until the term ends.
• Chapter 35 does not cover tuition, housing, meal plan or parking. Students using this benefit are required to make payment arrangements for their student account balance by Winthrop's payment deadline to avoid late fees and holds. Payment plans are available through the Student Financial Services office.
  
• Students approved for the SCDVA tuition assistance program may use this state VA benefit along with their approved federal VA benefit.

For more information about Chapter 35 DEA eligibility, visit https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/dependents-education-assistance/. 

Eligibility for this benefit is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not by Winthrop University.

 

Step 1. Apply through the VA to use Dependents' Education Assistance

Step 2. Request to use your benefits at Winthrop

For information on using your benefits at Winthrop for the first time go to the request benefits page.

The VA benefits coordinator submits student enrollment certification to the VA, which reviews term enrollment and direct-pays students within 30 days.

Step 3. Stay up to date

Let the Veterans Benefits Coordinator know if you make any changes to your enrollment, including schedule changes, withdrawing from classes, and major/minor changes. Failure to keep up-to-date records can result in an overpayment by the VA, which could result in you owing a large balance to the VA.