The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) is a program created by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide education and training to dependents of veterans. The program is restricted to the son, daughter, or spouse of a veteran who is either, missing in action, deceased or permanently disabled because of a service-connected disability. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, benefits from the DEA program can be used to obtain a degree, or to complete a program leading to a certificate or apprenticeship, or for on-the-job training. Dependent children wishing to take part in the program must be between the ages of 18 and 26, and not a service member on active military service (benefits can be used after the service member has been honorably discharged from service.) For an eligible spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date benefits were granted or the spouse's date of death. Benefits end 20 years from the date of death for the spouse who is seeking benefits through a service member who died on active duty.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Vet Success Program is for honorable discharged service members who are rated at least 10 percent disabled from a service-connected disability. The VR&E program, under Chapter 31, provides a veteran or soon to be discharged service member, vocational counseling, rehabilitation, job-training and educational benefits to attend a college or university for a vocation that accommodates their disability. For veterans with severe disabilities who are unable to work, the VR&E program also provides services for veterans who wish to live independently.
The Montgomery GI Bill is for both active duty and selected reserve members. While on active duty, a service member voluntarily enrolls under Chapter 30, (normally offered in basic training) and pays $100 per month for 12 months. Under this chapter, service members must complete at least three years of their original enlistment. Selected reserve members file under Chapter 1606, and must have at least a six year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, and the Selected Reserve members must have their initial active duty for training completed. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from these two programs, up to 36 months, can be used for "degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses."