High School Students of 100% Disabled Veterans Eligible for GI Bill® Chapter 35 Benefits

Baton Rouge, La. — High school students who are dependents of veterans rated 100% disabled may be eligible to receive education benefits through the GI Bill® Chapter 35 – Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, providing valuable financial support before they even begin college.

Under Chapter 35, eligible college students may receive up to 36 months of education benefits for use in their chosen program of study. However, eligible high school students may also receive up to five months of GI Bill® payments that do not count against their future college entitlement. If a student uses Chapter 35 benefits in high school beyond the five-month allowance, each additional month used will be deducted from the student’s 36-month college benefit.

No Cost to Schools

There is no cost to participating schools. To become approved, schools must complete required paperwork with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Once approved, the school’s only ongoing responsibility is to submit an enrollment certification confirming that the student is attending.

Flexible Use for Students

Funds are paid directly to the student and may be used at their discretion. Benefits can be used to:

• Cover tuition or fee balances

• Pay for senior or graduation expenses

• Be saved for future college costs

This flexibility ensures students benefit regardless of their individual financial circumstances.

LDVA Support for Schools

After approval, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) assists schools in completing enrollment certifications. Once finalized, LDVA submits the certification to the VA on the school’s behalf, streamlining the process and reducing administrative burden.

Important Deadline

This high school benefit expires on August 1, 2026. Schools and families are encouraged to begin the approval and enrollment process as soon as possible to ensure eligible students do not miss this opportunity.

For more information or assistance, schools and families should contact their local LDVA office. https://vetaffairs.la.gov/locations

Please visit https://vetaffairs.la.gov/news for the latest Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs releases, photos, and videos.

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