Survivors and Dependents Benefits (Chapter 35)

Survivors and Dependents Benefits (Chapter 35) provide educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service.

For more information about this program please click the link below:
http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/index.html

EligibilitySurvivors and dependents are allowed 45 months of full-time benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran's effective date of permanent and total disability rating or the veteran's death. Dependents' benefits end on their 26th birthday or eight years from the veteran's effective date of permanent or total disability rating or the veteran's death, but not after the dependent's 31st birthday. On December 23, 2006 an additional category of spouses and children were determined eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. The new category includes the spouse or child of a veteran who the VA determines: has a service connected 100% disability and at the time of the determination is active duty, hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care and likely to be discharged from service due to the service connected disability.

Transfer of Eligiblity
Transfer of Eligibility is determined and approved on a case by case basis by your branch of service.

How to Use Your Benefit with Trident University

• Submit your VA paperwork to Trident University
  Send Trident University a copy of your certificate of eligibility from the VA i. If you haven’t yet applied for your chapter 35 VA benefits, complete the VA application online (form 22-1990), and forward a copy to Trident University. If you are switching from a different chapter, you will need to complete an application for Chapter 35 benefits. ii. If you have used your Chapter 35 benefit with another school, transfer your benefits to Trident University with the Change of School or Program form (22-1995).
• Register for your classes
  When you register for your courses at Trident University, choose “VA” as your method of payment. If you are unable to do so, please inform a VA certifying official that you are planning on using your VA benefits for that session.
• Settle your tuition
  Contact our Finance Dept. to settle your tuition and have your course materials released. Point of Contact is Marisa Nunes, Marisa.Nunes@trident.edu, ext. 2288.
• Verify your enrollment with the VA each month
  To receive your check from the VA you will need to verify your enrollment with the VA on the last calendar day of each month you are enrolled. Keep in mind that you will receive your first check toward the beginning of the SECOND month you are enrolled. Log in online: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/ or call the automated enrollment certification number: 877-823-2378.

Payment Rates and Buy-Up Program (“Kickers”)
The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the length of your service (your percentage of eligibility), any Kicker funds you are entitled to, and if you are attending half-time or full time. For current payment rates please click here: http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/benefits-resources/rates-tables.html.

What is the Buy-Up Program (“Kickers”)?

Some service members may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to $5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. The additional contribution must be made while on active duty. For more information contact your personnel or payroll office.For current Buy-Up rates please click here: http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/rates/600_buy_up_rates.pdf.

Parent School Letters You may not attend two universities simultaneously without prior approval from your degree granting school. All courses taken at the secondary school must be preapproved by the primary school in order to be certified with the VA. Once the courses are approved, the VA coordinator at parent school will give the student a parent school letter to give to the VA coordinator at the secondary school, letting him/her know which courses he/she may certify the student for. Your secondary school may also require other VA paperwork.

How do I get a parent school letter from Trident University?

• Go to the local school’s website and find courses that you think would be applicable toward your degree at your primary school.
• Send your Trident University advisor the course name, course number and course description from the school’s course catalog.
• Your advisor will determine which Trident University course, if any, the secondary school course will transfer into.
• Once your Trident University advisor approves the course, send your Trident University VA coordinator the course name, number and description from the catalog, along with the Trident University course name and number it transfers into. Also send the name of the school, the name of the VA coordinator there, along with his/her email address, phone number and fax.
• The Trident University VA coordinator will then issue a parent school letter for the VA coordinator at the secondary school, giving him/her permission to certify you for the approved course(s).

Helpful Links and Phone Numbers
Main VA website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/
VONAPP (VA benefits application website): http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Enrollment Verification: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/
VA FAQs: https://www.gibill2.va.gov/cgi-bin/vba.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php
Main VA number: 1-888-442-4551
Enrollment Verification: 1-877-823-2378
Other VA benefits: 1-800-827-1000
Direct Deposit: 1-877-838-2778