Your VA Form 22-5490 (DEA and Fry Scholarship) Application, Explained
Also called: VA Form 22-5490, 22-5490, Dependents Application for VA Education Benefits, DEA application, Fry Scholarship application, Chapter 35 application
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
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What this notice usually means
VA Form 22-5490 is the Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits. A spouse or child of a Veteran uses it. It applies for one of two education programs. The DEA program is also called Chapter 35. It is for spouses and children of a Veteran. The Veteran must have died, gone missing, or have a permanent and total service-connected disability. The Fry Scholarship is for children and surviving spouses. Their service member must have died on or after September 11, 2001. Each program has its own rules. The rules cover who can use it and for how long. One example: an eligible spouse's DEA benefits often end 10 years after their eligibility date. There are exceptions to this timing. VA decides which program and rules apply to your case.
See every source line for this notice
“Use VA Form 22-5490 when a spouse or dependent is applying for educational benefits under Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) or Chapter 33 Fry Scholarship.”
“If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program.”
“If you’re the child or surviving spouse of a service member or member of the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship).”
“In most cases, your benefits end after 10 years”
“You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for education benefits.”
“You can apply online instead of filling out and sending us the paper form.”
What to do now
- 1
Learn the difference between DEA and Fry
DEA (Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship are separate programs with separate rules. Read about both before you apply.
- 2
Apply online or by mail
You can apply online instead of mailing the paper form. If you mail the paper form, send it to the regional office listed for your state or school.
- 3
Tell your school once you apply
After you apply, tell the school's certifying official. They confirm your enrollment so VA can send payments.
- 4
Know that time limits can apply
Some DEA and Fry Scholarship benefits have a time limit to use them. An accredited representative can check which rules apply to your dates.
- 5
Get free help from an accredited representative
A trained, VA-accredited representative can help. This help is free.
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Deadline
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Sources
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-18
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
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