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

    Complete the online appliction for education benefits as an eligible dependent. After reviewing the application, which can take up to 30 days, the VA mails a decision letter to the student. Approved students receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter. Please keep your COE on file until requested by the school.

    Request to change your school or degree program with the VA.

    All transfer students using VA benefits are required to provide official transcripts from all prior institutions of higher education to Winthrop's Office of Admissions. The Department of Veteran Affairs requires the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop to officially report all prior credits completed at other higher education institutions that can be applied towards the degree program that the student is pursuing at Winthrop.

    If you are pursuing a degree at another university and would like to use your DEA benefits to take classes toward that degree at Winthrop, please have the School Certifying Official at your home school send a Parent Letter to the Veterans Benefits Coordinator at Winthrop.

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.