Verify school enrollment for DEA benefits

If you’re enrolled in a non-college degree program, you’ll need to verify your enrollment every month to keep getting Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. Keep reading on this page to find out how to verify your enrollment for the DEA program (also called Chapter 35).

Do I need to verify my enrollment for DEA?

You’ll need to verify your enrollment if both of these are true for you:

• You’re getting DEA benefits, and
• You’re enrolled in a non-college degree program, like HVAC repair, truck driving, or emergency medical technician (EMT) training

Note: If you get DEA benefits and you’re enrolled in a college degree program, you don’t need to verify your enrollment.

How do I verify my enrollment for DEA?

You can verify your enrollment in 1 of these 3 ways:

Online through Ask VA

Fill out a Student Verification of Enrollment (VA Form 22-8979).

Upload your completed form through Ask VA.

By mail

Fill out a Student Verification of Enrollment (VA Form 22-8979).

Mail your completed form to the VA regional processing office that’s right for you.

By phone

Call us at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711). Then, select 1 to verify your enrollment. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

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Related information

• Learn about the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program.
• Get the current rates for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.

VA benefits

• Education and training Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to help pay for college and cover expenses while you’re training for a job.

Need more help?

• GI Bill Hotline:888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551)
• Students Outside the U.S.:+1-918-781-5678
• VA benefits hotline:
• MyVA411 main information line:
• Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY)TTY: 711

Last updated: May 22, 2024