Chapter 35 After Degree

[geronimo70]

My son recently graduated from Ferris State with a Bachelors in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

No jobs available.

He still has time remaining from the 45 months of benefits provided.

Is he still eligible or does earning the degree void eligibility.

[Philip Rogers]

Yes, he's still eligible, until the benefit expires.

pr

[Berta]

How does the age limit kick in?

Reason I ask Philip is....... my husband's 100% P & T award gave me and my daughter Chapter 35 eligibility.

After my daughter was discharged (OIF OEF 7 years USAF)and just 3 months prior to her 26th birthday, she filled out the stuff for the DEA Certificate of Eligibility.

She sent VA copy of my husband's posthumous award letter as well as copy of her DD 214 as instructed on the DEA form.

She got,in a few weeks, a DEA Certificate awarding her DEA for about 3 weeks! Only Until her 26th birthday which is a cut off for many CHAP 35ers..

The regulations clearly state that Mil time will be added to the eligibility date.

I got the 'MOMMY WTF is this' call from her.

I prepared either a NOD or a VA call a CUE on yourself letter.as if I was her writing it. It was short and sweet and aggressively to the point.

I referred to and enclosed the regulations for the mil time extension and sent it to her in DC to sign and then send in,certified, with it her DD 214 again.

That went very fast via VA Edu and about 4 weeks later I got the call.....MOMMY those ----ers sent me the proper Certificate with 7 years and 2 months DEA eligibility!

The 26 age cut off date still confuses me but I think they extend beyond that if the claimant has no Mil time,but I am not sure........

I need to also send her the info for her new cut off date.

When VA properly awarded SC death, it completely trumped all my past awards.

I now l have more DEA time and so does she due to the newer award.......... but she paid for most of her BS degree herself and wants to save DEA for Masters at my school AMU.

Successive awards can alter even DEA eligibility for dependents but I am only example of that documented.

I hope all DEA eligible dependents can take advantage of this great VA benefit I am glad I used.

So the age limit is a factor for DEA, but maybe only when you apply and then VA will extend it through the 45 month time frame.????????

I have lots here on DEA in files and PC but cant get to it until next week.....

Edited January 13, 2013 by Berta

[meghp0405]

he just needs to see a va educational counselor and infrom them that he wants to continue his education, ie, masters degree. He still has time, as long as he is in a program they will not kick him out when he turns 26. I would jump on that soon as possible though.

[Berta]

Thanks Meg ...great to know that.....on the age limits.

I had a good experience with my VA liason at AMU and VA Education as far as the payments went.I paid tuition first and then VA calculated the payment rate per diem (I think) It was all handled via email.