# 38 C.F.R. § 21.3040 (2026): Eligibility; child

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3040

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 C.F.R. § 21.3040 (2026)
- **Heading:** Eligibility; child
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 38 CFR: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief / Chapter I: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS / Part 21: VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION / Subpart C: Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 / § 21.3040: § 21.3040   Eligibility › child.

## Text

(a)
Commencement.
A program of education or special restorative training may not be afforded prior to the eligible person's 18th birthday or the completion of secondary schooling, whichever is earlier, unless it is determined through counseling that the best interests of the eligible person will be served by entering training at an earlier date and the eligible person has passed:
(1) Compulsory school attendance age under State law; or
(2) His or her 14th birthday and due to physical or mental handicap may benefit by special restorative or specialized vocational training.
(b)
Secondary schooling. Completion of secondary schooling
means completion of a curriculum offered by a public or private school which satisfies the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent—usually completion of the 12th grade in the public school system.
(c)
Age limitation for commencement.
No person is eligible for educational assistance who reached his or her 26th birthday on or before the effective date of a finding of permanent total service-connected disability, or on or before the date the veteran's death occurred, or on or before the 91st day of listing by the Secretary concerned of the member of the Armed Forces on whose service eligibility is claimed as being in one of the missing status categories of § 21.3021 (a)(1)(iv) and (3)(ii).
(d)
Termination of eligibility.
No person is eligible for educational assistance beyond his or her 31st birthday, except as provided under § 21.3041(g)(2). In no event may educational assistance be provided after the period of entitlement has been exhausted. In an exceptional case special restorative training may be provided in excess of 45 months. See § 21.3300.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3512(a))
[30 FR 15632, Dec. 18, 1965, as amended at 34 FR 842, Jan. 18, 1969; 39 FR 38227, Oct. 30, 1974; 40 FR 42879, Sept. 17, 1975; 41 FR 47929, Nov. 1, 1976; 43 FR 35290, Aug. 9, 1978; 73 FR 30489, May 28, 2008]

## Nearby sections

- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3001 (2026) § 21.3001   Delegation of authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3001.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3002 (2026) § 21.3002   Administration of Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3002.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3020 (2026) § 21.3020   Educational assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3020.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3021 (2026) § 21.3021   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3021.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3022 (2026) § 21.3022   Nonduplication—programs administered by VA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3022.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3023 (2026) § 21.3023   Nonduplication; pension, compensation, and dependency and indemnity compensation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3023.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3024 (2026) § 21.3024   Nonduplication; Federal Employees' Compensation Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3024.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3025 (2026) § 21.3025   Nonduplication; Federal programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3025.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3030 (2026) § 21.3030   Claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3030.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3040 (2026) § 21.3040   Eligibility; child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3040.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3041 (2026) § 21.3041   Periods of eligibility; child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3041.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3042 (2026) § 21.3042   Service with Armed Forces.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3042.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3043 (2026) § 21.3043   Suspension of program; child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3043.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.3044 (2026) § 21.3044   Entitlement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3044.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_3040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.