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).
Get VA Form 22-8979 to download
Upload your completed form through Ask VA.
By mail
Fill out a Student Verification of Enrollment (VA Form 22-8979).
Get VA Form 22-8979 to download
Mail your completed form to the VA regional processing office that’s right for you.
Find your regional processing office address
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.