Education for your spouse & children

Print-and-take checklist. Tick each box as you go, and keep it with your paperwork.

• Identify which program(s) your family may qualify for: Chapter 35 DEA (your P&T rating), transferred Chapter 33 (your service status, must act while still serving), Fry Scholarship (a service-connected death), or a combination
• If you're still on active duty or Selected Reserve and haven't transferred Chapter 33 benefits, go to milConnect now, this option closes at separation
• Gather documents: veteran's VA file number/SSN, rating decision or death/missing-in-action/prisoner-of-war documentation, dependent's SSN, DD214 if applicable
• For DEA or Fry: file VA Form 22-5490 online at va.gov or by mail to the correct regional processing office
• For a transfer already approved by DoD: have your spouse or child file VA Form 22-1990e
• If eligible for both DEA and Fry, compare rate tables before checking either election box, it is generally irrevocable
• Confirm your school's VA certifying official has your application on file once approved
• If DEA, set a recurring reminder for monthly enrollment verification
• If qualifying at the 100% benefit level, check the Yellow Ribbon participating schools list and contact the certifying official before enrolling at a private/out-of-state/graduate program
• Look up your state's dependent tuition waiver at ratednowwhat.com/benefits-by-state and confirm how it stacks with federal benefits
• Verify every dollar figure and deadline above on the linked va.gov page before relying on it, rates and rules change annually
• If this involves filing or increasing the veteran's own VA disability rating, work with a free VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer, never a paid "optimizer"

Full step-by-step guide: ratednowwhat.com/family-and-survivor-benefits#h2_5741f201

Education only. Not the VA, not a government agency, and not financial, tax, or legal advice. Help with a VA claim or rating is always free through a VA-accredited Veteran Service Officer.