Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

The basis requirements for eligibility under Chapter 35 is you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:

• A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces
• A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence
• A service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force
• A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power

The Period of Eligibility if you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit. If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty. To pursue training after military service, your discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This extension cannot go beyond your 31st birthday. If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.

Monthly Payments under Chapter 35 will depend on the amount of hours taken each semester. To further review your benefits under Chapter 35 click on VA Pamphlet 22-73-3.

To begin the process of applying for Chapter 35 benefits veterans using their benefits for the FIRST TIME are required to complete the following paperwork and bring the following items to the UNO Veterans Services Office for processing:

1. VA Form 22-5490 - Application for Survivors and Dependents' Educational Assistance. Click on the form number and print out, then fill in applicable information
2. Provide a copy of parent's or spouse's service-connected disability certification

Students transferring the use of their benefits to UNO from another college or university are required to complete the following paperwork and bring to the UNO Veterans Services Office for processing:

1. VA Form 22-5495 - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance. Click on the form number and print out, then fill in applicable information.

Waiver of Tuition: The University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and community colleges on behalf of any eligible child, spouse, widow or widower that meets the following requirements may waive tuition.

1. They are residents of this state and meets the appropriate institutions requirements for paying in-state tuition
2. They have a parent, stepparent or spouse who was a member of the armed forces of the United States and who
   1. Died of a service connected disability
   2. Died subsequent to discharge as a result of injury or illness sustained while in service
   3. Is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service
   4. Is classified as missing in action or as a prisoner of war during armed hostilities after 4 August 1964

The waiver is valid for one degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college and one baccalaureate degree. Applications for Waiver of Tuition (NDVA Form 3) and Information Relating to Eligibility for Waiver of Tuition Form may be obtained at the veteran's County VA Office.