The SIUC Veterans Certifying Official can provide VA Form 22-5490 (Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance) to apply for Chapter 35 benefits. A copy of this form may also be downloaded from the following VA web site: www.va.gov/vaforms/. Submit the completed form to the SIUC Veterans Certifying Official.

If a veteran is totally disabled due to service-connected injuries or diseases, or is an MIA/POW as determined by Congress, the spouse and dependent children may apply.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reviews the applications and makes the selection based on their guidelines.

The amount of the annual award is determined by Congress. The program will pay for half-time through full-time attendance, and is subject to cost of living increases each year.

The Applications are submitted to the regional Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis. Initial payments may take two months to begin. Once the student begins receiving their monthly check, they will be paid each month for the previous month's attendance. The student can receive benefits for the equivalent of 45 full-time months.