How to Fill Out VA Form 22-5490: Education Benefits (2026)

VA paperwork can trip up organized families, but here’s some good news. Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) pays a tax-free full-time rate of $1,574.00 per month for the October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 rate year.

That money starts with one form. VA Form 22-5490, the Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits, is used to apply for Chapter 35 DEA or the Fry Scholarship.

DEA now covers post-secondary training only, and monthly enrollment verification keeps payments on track.

Families who know these rules before applying save weeks of back-and-forth with the VA, and that’s speaking from our experience working with veterans and survivors. This guide covers eligibility and shows how to complete the 22-5490 step-by-step.

This is one piece of a bigger picture. If a veteran’s disability rating changed recently, the VA development letter explains what that update means and how it can open the door to Chapter 35 or Fry eligibility.

Older veterans or surviving spouses who need extra help with daily living costs should also look at the VA aid and attendance fact sheet, since that benefit can run alongside education payments.

And if you’re just starting out and haven’t filed a disability claim yet, our guide to Initial VA Disability Claims walks through that first step. Together, these resources cover the full journey from filing a claim to using earned education benefits.

Who Qualifies for Chapter 35 DEA and Fry Scholarship Benefits

Eligibility rules can be confusing to a lot of families. Let’s break down who qualifies for each program, plus what happens if you fit both.

Chapter 35 DEA Requirements

DEA kicks in when a veteran hits one of four specific situations. For example, a veteran with a permanent and total (P&T) service-connected disability opens the door for their family.

So does a veteran who died on active duty, or died later from that same condition. Missing in action or captured status also counts, though it’s rarer.

Who can actually apply? Here’s the breakdown:

• Spouses and surviving spouses of a qualifying veteran
• Children, whether biological, step, or adopted
• Kids generally use DEA benefits between ages 18 and 26, though extensions exist in some cases

Fry Scholarship Requirements

Fry Scholarship eligibility looks similar on paper, but the details differ.

A service member who died in the line of duty on active duty after September 10, 2001, opens Fry eligibility for their spouse or child. A Selected Reserve member who died from a service-connected disability qualifies too.

Fry’s rules around remarriage and time limits work differently than DEA’s, so don’t assume they match. We’ll cover those specifics in a dedicated Fry guide soon.

Eligible for Both? You Must Choose One

What happens if a family qualifies for both programs? You pick one, and that choice sticks. The election between DEA and Fry is final, so compare the numbers before you file anything.

Here’s how the two stack up:

	Chapter 35 DEA	Fry Scholarship
Qualifying event	P&T disability or service-connected death	Death in line of duty or Selected Reserve service-connected death
What it pays	Flat monthly stipend	Tuition, housing, and books, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill
Benefit length	36 months (45 if training started before August 1, 2018)	36 months

As President Lincoln put it, the VA exists “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” That mission is exactly why these two armed forces family benefits exist.

How to Complete VA Form 22-5490: Step-by-Step

Filling out the 22-5490 isn’t complicated once you know what’s coming. We’ll walk through the application process in three steps, so grab your documents and let’s get started.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents and Details

Before you touch the form, pull together the basics. You’ll need:

• Your Social Security number and the veteran’s
• The veteran’s VA file number, date of birth, and mailing address
• The veteran’s branch of service and service dates
• Your relationship to the veteran

Supporting documents matter just as much. For instance, a marriage license confirms a spouse’s claim, while birth or adoption records confirm a child’s. A DD214 helps too, if you have one handy.

Step 2: Add Your School and Direct Deposit Information

Next, tell the VA where you’re headed. List your target school, training program, or certification course. Be specific here since vague answers slow things down.

Then add your direct deposit information. That means your bank account and routing numbers, so monthly payments land where they should. No paper checks lost in the mail.

Step 3: Review, Sign, and Submit

Almost there. Sign and date the form, though a parent or guardian must sign for applicants under 18.

You’ve got two options to submit. Apply online through [VA.gov] for the fastest processing, or download the PDF and send it by mail if you prefer paper. Either path works, but online tends to move quicker.

That’s the whole step-by-step guide, start to finish. Not bad for one form, right?

Common Mistakes That Delay a 22-5490 Application

A smooth 22 5490 application comes down to preparation. Here are the top hiccups we see, and how to sidestep them.

• Missing supporting documents. A marriage license, birth or adoption records, or a DD214 often gets left out. Without them, your application sits in limbo.
• Applying before the qualifying event is established. The disability pathway needs a confirmed P&T rating on file first. Death-based claims need the service connection documented too, whether that’s from active duty or a later service-connected condition.
• Picking the wrong program election. For instance, families sometimes overlap DEA with transferred GI Bill benefits without realizing only one can apply. Double-check what other VA benefits you’re already using before you file.
• Skipping monthly verification once enrolled. Payments stop cold until you verify enrollment that month. It’s an easy step to forget once classes get busy.

Fix these four, and your application has a real shot at moving smoothly.

What to Expect After You Submit Your Application

So you hit submit. Now what? Here’s the timeline most families can expect.

• Processing time. VA has sped things up lately, and education claims now average around 30 days from a complete application. Delays happen if paperwork is missing, so double-check everything first.

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once approved, you’ll receive a COE in the mail or online. Hand a copy to your school’s VA certifying official right away.
• Monthly verification and payments. After you verify enrollment, held payments generally process within about a week. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss a month.
• Keep your info current. Update your contact details, address, and enrollment status whenever they change. Outdated info is a sneaky way to cause payment delays.