Eligibility:
* Children between 18 and 26 (remember the veteran must be eligible through SC for the Dependent Education entitlement). Younger than 18 may be allowed if high school is completed. The 26 may be waived also, but 31 is currently the absolute limit.
Entitlement:
* 45 months of schooling. Part time schooling may not count as a full month to month basis. Other VA schooling eligibility may affect this.
Schooling Possibilities: These are the same as for spouse except, obtaining a high school degree is not covered. Makes sense if you think about it.
Restorative training, for handicaps is allowed.
* Money: Check with RO for current amounts and conditions.
Other information:
Marriage, child's marriage does not curtail benefit.
Only 2 changes are allowed in program, or major.
Foreign schools must be approved prior to enrollment.
Use of the education benefit might have consequence in regards to future compensation or pension entitlement (of the dependent child). A veteran cannot draw dependent compensation while the child is drawing educational benefits. Even though Dependent Education is handled by RO, they depend on the veteran to notify them of the education status of the child. If this is not done the veteran may be overpaid. The VA will take this money back when they discover the error. This is a consideration that should be researched and resolved with RO prior to commencing an educational program.
The forms that are used to file for the education benefit:
VA Form 22 5490 for children
VA Form 22 5490W for spouses
To get these forms online go to: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp
Editor’s Note: There is now a class of Service Connected children based on the veteran parent being exposed to Agent Orange. This is different than dependent children. These children draw VA compensation at a special rate due to their own disabilities, and are entitled to VA Health Care, and Vocational Rehabilitation Training.
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