The DEA program through the VA is provided to the spouse or child of a Veteran who has died, is missing, or has a permanent and total service-connected disability. This program can now be used to pay for certification prep and exam fees.
Certifications Available: PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, LSSGB
At PM-ProLearn, we’re dedicated to helping military families and dependents enhance their careers and their lives with professional certifications. As a company owned and operated by Veterans with real-world project management experience, we have the unique capability to understand your individual situation and guide you to where you need to be.
PM-ProLearn is the only approved training provider that allows you to use the CH35 DEA to cover both training costs and exam fees for the Project Management Professional (PMP®), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP®), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB). All costs are fully reimbursed by the VA with optional programs to defer any upfront costs. Read more below to see how CH35 DEA benefits can work for you.
Many people ask, does CH 35 DEA benefits pay for certifications? The short answer is yes, and with PM-ProLearn, you only need 41 days of eligibility benefits per certification you’d like to earn! PM-ProLearn accepts Ch 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Ch 31 VR&E as well.
Now let's understand the process. Typically, CH35 is paid directly to the dependent while they are enrolled in a degree program. When paying for certifications, the process is a bit different. Instead of the VA paying the student a living stipend through CH35, the VA reimburses the student for authorized certification expenses. The student pays for the certification course upfront, submits receipts to the VA, and waits for CH35 reimbursement. Providing direct payment and waiting for reimbursement is the easiest and fastest way to enroll in a course, but PM-ProLearn understands that not everyone can pay the full tuition upfront and wait for reimbursement.
To offset the up front costs PM-ProLearn has created two programs. A deferred payment plan and a credit card hold program. With PM-ProLearn’s deferred payment plan, you can still get enrolled in a course for only $100 down. We’ll provide you with additional paperwork that allows you to take a loan from PM-ProLearn for the remaining balance. You submit your receipt to the VA for reimbursement for the course. Once the VA pays you, you are responsible for the remaining balance to attend.
The Second option is the credit card hold. You attend immediately, and we only hold the fees on your credit card for up to 30 days. You attend, submit your receipt and proof of completion, and wait for VA reimbursement. We won’t run your card for at least 30 days, giving you more time to be reimbursed by the VA before you need to pay off your credit card. This is the fastest way to attend and adds an additional 30 days for the VA to reimburse you before you are charged anything.
The CH35 DEA program will cover your training costs for any of these certifications:
In addition to your training, PM-ProLearn will pay for your certification exam and a retest fee if needed (Restrictions Apply) as an added value and at no additional cost. Your training costs include a variety of benefits you can only get from PM-ProLearn for an entire year, including:
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Free reattendance to our live or virtual courses as often as you’d like
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Access to our online learning system, including videos, quizzes, practice tests, mastery tracking of key concepts, and so much more
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Ability to schedule 1-1 coaching with an instructor whenever you feel you need a bit of extra support and guidance along your journey
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Working with an instructor to expertly translate your experience and craft a compelling PMI application
Below, we’ll lay out the step-by-step process for using your CH 35 Survivor and Dependent benefits for certifications. First, it’s important to understand whether you are eligible for CH 35 VA benefits and how to get your statement of benefits to see how much you still have available for use. We’ll cover that next.
How Ch 35 VA Benefits Work for Certifications
Eligibility Requirements for Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA)
The DEA program through the VA is provided to the spouse or child of a Veteran who has died, is missing, or has a permanent and total service-connected disability. This benefit may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program (also called Chapter 35):
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Spouse or Child of a veteran and registered in DEERS
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Veteran has a permanent and total disability rating with the VA. (100% P&T)
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Veteran has died or is missing
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You have not used all 36 months of Ch35 benefits
What Benefits Can I Get?
For licensing and certification test fees and prep courses:
For test fees: The VA pays up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification test fees. They'll charge your entitlement at the rate of 1 month for every $1,574 in fees paid for licensing and certification tests. (2025 to 2026 Rates) Check the current payment rates for DEA
For prep courses: They'll charge your entitlement at the rate of 1 month for every $1,574 in fees paid for prep courses that help you get ready for a licensing or certification test.
Check our FAQs for more details on benefits.
Step-By-Step Guide for Deferred Payment Plan Method
Step 1: If you haven’t been assigned to an advisor yet, please fill out this quick form to get started. While you wait for your advisor’s welcome email, move on to step 2 to verify your benefits. You can also download our checklist to help you along the way!
Step 2: Confirm you have at least 2 months of CH35 benefits remaining.
You can apply in 1 of these 2 ways:
Option 1: Apply online
Apply for VA education benefits for dependents online
Option 2: Apply by mail
Fill out a Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490).
Get VA Form 22-5490 to download
Step 3: Once you have confirmed your benefits and eligibility, select which course you want to attend. You must select a course at least 90 days from starting this deferred payment process. You can use the “Upcoming Courses” menu at the top of our website to select which certification type you’re interested in and view the list of available classes.
Step 4: You should be in contact with your advisor by this point. Confirm with your advisor your eligibility benefits and the course you are interested in. Once confirmed, they will send you a “Deferred Tuition Agreement” via DocuSign. Once signed, your advisor will send you a link to pay your $100 deposit.
Step 5: Once your $100 payment has been processed, you will receive a “Promissory Note” via DocuSign. This shows that you owe PM-ProLearn the remaining balance, similar to a loan or line of credit from a credit card.
Step 6: Your advisor will send you a pre-filled VBA-22-10272 form with PM-ProLearn’s information. You will need to fill out the rest of your information. You will then submit this form, proof of enrollment, and a receipt for the full tuition for the course to the VA for reimbursement here: https://www.va.gov/?next=%2Fmy-va%2F
Step 7: The VA will reimburse you for the full course, and you will pay PM-ProLearn the remaining balance.
Step 8: Congratulations! Your funding process is complete, and you will be fully enrolled 2 weeks before your desired course, where you’ll be able to complete the pre-work to your selected certification online before your selected class starts.
Step-By-Step Guide for Payment Upfront Method
Step 1: If you haven’t been assigned to an advisor yet, please fill out this quick form to get started. While you wait for your advisor’s welcome email, move on to step 2 to verify your benefits. You can also download our checklist to help you along the way!
Step 2: Confirm you have at least 2 months of CH35 benefits remaining.
You can apply in 1 of these 2 ways:
Option 1: Apply online
Apply for VA education benefits for dependents online
Option 2: Apply by mail
Fill out a Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490).
Get VA Form 22-5490 to download
Step 3: Once you have confirmed your benefits and eligibility, select which course you want to attend. The “Upcoming Courses” menu at the top of our website allows you to select the certification type you’re interested in and view the list of available classes.
Step 4: You should be in contact with your advisor by this point. Confirm with your advisor your eligibility benefits and the course you are interested in. Once confirmed, they will instruct you on how to pay the course tuition in advance.
Step 5: Upon payment, your advisor will send you a receipt and a VBA-22-10272 form with PM-ProLearn’s information pre-filled. You must complete the rest of your information and submit it to the VA for reimbursement here: https://www.va.gov/?next=%2Fmy-va%2F. Reimbursement usually takes between 15 and 30 days.
Step 6: Congratulations! Your funding process is complete, and you will be fully enrolled 2 weeks before your desired course, where you’ll be able to complete the pre-work to your selected certification online before your selected class starts.
How to Use CH 35 for Certifications: A Step-By-Step Process
To use your CH35 DEA for certifications, you’ll need at least 2 months of eligibility remaining to cover the 41 days total based on 2025-2026 rates. There are three options you can take:
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Paying the tuition upfront and requesting full reimbursement (fastest option to get started)
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$2135 for PMP®, CAPM®, PMI-ACP®, or LSSGB
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Deferred Payment Plan with only a $100 deposit (can take 3-4 months to get started)
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Credit card hold, which allows you to enroll now but delay payment on your card for 30 days.
As a company owned and operated by Veterans with real-world project management experience, we have the unique capability to understand your individual situation and guide you to where you need to be.
In addition to your training, PM-ProLearn will pay for your certification exam and a retest fee if needed (Restrictions Apply) as an added value and at no additional cost. Your training costs include a variety of benefits you can only get from PM-ProLearn for an entire year, including:
-
Free reattendance to our live or virtual courses as often as you’d like
-
Access to our online learning system, including videos, quizzes, practice tests, mastery tracking of key concepts, and so much more
-
Ability to schedule 1-1 coaching with an instructor whenever you feel you need a bit of extra support and guidance along your journey
-
Working with an instructor to expertly translate your experience and craft a compelling PMI application
PM-ProLearn is the ONLY training provider where you can use CH 35 Survivors' and Dependendents' benefits to cover training costs and exam fees for the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, and LSSGB certifications.
Why Use Your Ch35 VA Benefits for Certifications at PM-ProLearn
My CAPM journey started in August 2025 when I enrolled in PM-ProLearn’s CAPM course with the goal of transitioning into project management and building a better future for myself and my daughter. Shortly after starting, life happened. I experienced several personal setbacks and challenges that forced me to put my studies on the back burner for a while.
Even during those difficult moments, I knew earning my CAPM certification was something I truly wanted to accomplish. One of the biggest things that helped me stay motivated was PM-ProLearn’s flexibility and support. Being able to retain access to the course and reattend the classes multiple times made all the difference for me. I attended the course a total of three times, and each time I walked away with a deeper understanding and more confidence.
The course structure, study materials, exam voucher package, and overall encouragement from the PM-ProLearn team gave me the tools and confidence I needed to keep pushing forward even after setbacks. After months of perseverance, studying, and returning to the material determined to finish what I started, I officially passed my CAPM exam on May 20, 2026 — scoring Above Target in every exam domain.
Tariqka Sheffey, CAPM
Frequently Asked Questions about CH 35 VA Benefits for Certifications
For licensing and certification test fees and prep courses specifically:
For test fees: The VA will pay up to $2,000 for qualifying licensing and certification test fees. They'll charge your entitlement at the rate of 1 month for every $1,574 in fees they pay for licensing and certification tests. (2025 to 2026 Rates) Check the current payment rates for DEA
For prep courses: The VA will charge your entitlement at the rate of 1 month for every $1,574 in fees they pay for prep courses that help you get ready for a licensing or certification test.
Learn more about licensing and certification tests and prep courses
If your school or training started before August 1, 2018, you may be able to get benefits for up to 45 months.
If your school or training started on or after August 1, 2018, you may be able to get benefits for up to 36 months.
Note: You may also get educational and career counseling.
You may use your CH 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance for the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, or LSSGB
We have 3 different processes:
1. You can pay the full amount upfront and get reimbursed, which can get you enrolled immediately
2. We can process a credit card hold that defers that payment for 29 days and will be charged on the 30th day, giving you extra time to be reimbursed and pay off your credit card
3. Our deferred payment plan that only requires $100 down and can enroll you in about 90 days once the full reimbursement has been processed and you've paid the remaining balance.
All 3 options require you to submit paperwork we provide to the VA to get reimbursement, so the certification ends up costing you nothing.
Once you’ve been assigned to an advisor and have made your class payments, your advisor will provide you with receipts and a VBA-22-10272 form to submit to the VA for reimbursement. If you need to connect with an advisor, fill out the form here.
If you became eligible before August 1, 2023, one of these must be true for you to use these benefits:
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You’re 18 years old, or
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You completed high school or have a GED
If you became eligible or turned 18 years old or completed high school on or after August 1, 2023, you can be any age to use these benefits.
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It depends.
There’s no time limit if 1 of these is true:
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You became eligible for DEA benefits on or after August 1, 2023, or
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You turned 18 years old on or after August 1, 2023, or
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You completed high school or received your GED on or after August 1, 2023
Generally, you have up to 8 years to use your benefits before you turn 26 years old, if all of these are true:
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You became eligible for DEA before August 1, 2023, and
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You turned 18 before August 1, 2023, and
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You completed high school before August 1, 2023
In some cases, the 8-year time limit doesn’t end when you turn 26 years old. If any of these describe your situation, you may still be able to use DEA benefits after you turn 26 years old:
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You became eligible for DEA when you were between 18 and 26 years old, or
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Your parent died when you were between 18 and 26 years old, or
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You joined the military. In this case, you can use your DEA benefits up to 8 years from your discharge date as long as you’re under 31 years old.
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It depends.
If the event that qualified you for DEA happened before August 1, 2023, there’s a time limit to use your benefits:
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In most cases, your benefits end after 10 years.
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If we rated the Veteran as permanently and totally disabled, and the Veteran later dies, you’ll get another 10 years of eligibility.
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If the service member died on active duty, your benefits end after 20 years.
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If we rated the Veteran as permanently and totally disabled, with an effective date that’s within 3 years after discharge from active duty, in most cases your benefits end 20 years from that effective date.
If the event that qualified you for DEA happened on or after August 1, 2023, there’s no time limit to use your benefits.
If your last day on active duty was before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years from that date to use your benefits.
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You need 2 month’s worth of Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance benefits per certification you would like to receive.
Great question! Before deciding on a course, your first step is to apply for or verify your eligibility.
You can apply in 1 of these 2 ways:
Option 1: Apply online
Apply for VA education benefits for dependents online
Option 2: Apply by mail
Fill out a Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490).
Get VA Form 22-5490 to download
How to contact the VA if you have questions
If you have questions about your rates, you can call the VA at 888-442-4551 (TTY: 711). They're available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
You can also Contact them through Ask VA
Reimbursement typically takes between 15-30 days from the VA
Start Your Certification Journey Today
Don’t hesitate to use your CH 35 education benefits for certifications today! Earning a professional certification like the PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CAPM®, or LSSGB has many great benefits, including potential salary increases, new job opportunities, and making yourself more marketable in a competitive job market. Our CH 35 VA Benefits certification reimbursement programs make earning the certifications you need to develop your desired career easy.
Connect with an advisor today to start your journey.