Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship)
The Fry Scholarship Explained Simply
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is a government financial aid program. Think of it as a helping hand for the families of service members who passed away in the line of duty. It's designed to help them pay for college, job training, or other educational goals.
Who Is Eligible for the Scholarship?
You may be eligible if you are the child or surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. For you to be eligible, the service member must have:
- Died while serving on active duty, **or**
- Died from a disability related to their military service within about four months of leaving the service, **or**
- Been a member of the Selected Reserve and died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability.
Specific Rules for Children and Spouses
- If you are the child: You must be at least 18 or have graduated high school. If you receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), you must choose between DIC and the Fry Scholarship; you cannot receive both at the same time.
- If you are the surviving spouse: You can still receive the Fry Scholarship even if you remarry. You are allowed to receive DIC payments and use the Fry Scholarship benefits simultaneously.
What Kind of Benefits Can You Get?
If you qualify, you can receive up to 36 months of benefits. This money can be used to cover a wide range of educational expenses, including:
- Tuition and school fees
- A housing allowance
- Money for books and supplies
- Tutoring and work-study programs
- Fees for national exams or professional licenses
Time Limits and Other Benefits
Time Limits for Using the Scholarship:
- If your parent passed away **before January 1, 2013,** you typically have until you are 33 years old to use the scholarship.
- If your parent passed away **on or after January 1, 2013,** there is no time limit for you to use the benefit.
Using Other Education Benefits:
- If your parent passed away **before August 1, 2011,** you might qualify for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA benefits, but you can only use one at a time (up to a combined total of 48 months).
- If your parent passed away **on or after August 1, 2011,** you generally cannot use both programs.
How to Apply for the Fry Scholarship
Ready to get started? Here’s a simple guide to applying.
- **Find an Approved Program:** First, make sure the school and program you're interested in are approved by the VA. You can check this using the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
- **Submit Your Application:** The easiest way is to apply online through the VA website. Alternatively, you can fill out and mail a paper form (VA Form 22-5490).
- **Contact Your School:** After you've applied, get in touch with the "certifying official" at your school to let them know you've applied for VA benefits.