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If you’re receiving or are looking to receive Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Allowance (DEA) — the program that helps lessen tuition and student debt for dependents’ of veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice or are currently disabled from their service — there’s a big change on the horizon that will be effective August 1, 2018.

Overall, the program will be reduced from 45 months to 36 months — however — the allowance amount will be increased starting in October. It’s a small part of the Forever GI Bill (William W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017) that was passed by Congress last summer.

Don’t worry. If you’re already enrolled in classes or plan on starting them by July 31, 2018, you will receive the previous allotment of time (45 months).

The increases in allowance will go like this:

  • $1,224 for full-time coursework (was $1,041)
  • $967 for three-quarter time coursework (was $780)
  • $710 for half-time coursework ($519)

To learn more or to apply to enter the program, click here.