Verify school enrollment for DEA benefits
You may 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 may need to verify your enrollment to get DEA benefits. Check your award letter to find out if you need to verify.
How do I verify my enrollment for DEA?
You can verify online through Ask VA, by mail, or by phone.
If you haven’t received DEA benefits yet, you may be able to verify by text or email
When you start your program, we’ll send you a text to ask if you want to verify your enrollment by text. If you respond “Yes,” we’ll send you a text each month asking you to verify your enrollment. If you respond “No” or don’t respond within 14 days, we’ll send you an email instead each month asking you to verify your enrollment. We’ll use the address we have in our records for you.
Note: If you’re already receiving DEA benefits, you can’t switch from verifying your enrollment online to verifying using text or email.
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