Eligibility - The VA provides educational assistance to spouses who have not remarried* and children** of:

1.   Veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled due to a disability arising from active military service.

2.   Veterans who died from any cause while rated permanently and totally service‑connected disabled.

3.   Service members listed for more than 90 days as currently MIA, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or detained or interned by a foreign government or power.

4.   Service members who died on active duty.

Period of Eligibility - The period of eligibility for spouses of deceased veterans or service members listed as MIA/POW expires 10 years from the date they become eligible or the date of the veteran’s death.  The VA may grant an extension.

*Surviving spouses lose eligibility if they remarry or are living with another person who has been held out publicly as their spouse. They can regain eligibility if their remarriage ends by death or divorce or if they cease living with the person. Dependent children do not lose eligibility if the surviving spouse remarries.

**  Children generally must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive education benefits, though extensions may be granted.