The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) currently pays a benefit equal to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Click here for rates). Beneficiaries attending school may receive up to their full tuition and fees for a public school or a statutory annual maximum amount for a private school, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program.
The benefit is available to the children and surviving spouses of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
Eligibility rules
Eligible persons:
- are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level
- have 15 years to use the benefit if the Veteran's death was before January 1, 2013, if their death was on or after January 1, 2013, this would remove the time limitation.
- are now eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program
Children:
- are eligible beginning on their 18th birthday or the date they begin attending an authorized program
- may use the benefit until their 33rd birthday
Surviving Spouses:
- benefit will terminate upon remarriage
Rules for eligible persons serving, or who have served, in the Armed Forces:
- If the beneficiary is eligible under the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill and Selected Reserve, then he or she must relinquish eligibility under one of those programs to receive benefits
- Character of discharge from their own service does not impact eligibility resulting from the line of duty death of a parent
- Those on active duty will receive benefits at the active duty benefit rate (eligible for unlimited tuition and fees but not eligible for monthly housing allowance)
- Those who meet the service requirements to transfer entitlement under Post-9/11 GI Bill may be eligible to transfer up to 36 months of entitlement to his or her dependents.
How do I apply for this benefit?
Click here for an online application form Please complete the VA Form 22-5490 "Dependent Application for VA Education Benefits."