John D. Fry Scholarship for Surviving Children & Spouses
John D. Fry Scholarship Overview
The John D. Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001.
On March 8, 2006, Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry was killed in action by an IED in Anbar Province, Iraq. He left behind his wife, Malia, and three young children. He was just 28 years old at the time. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship was established in recognition of his military service and sacrifice to our country.
The scholarship was established with the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, enacted on June 24, 2009.
What the Fry Scholarship Covers
Recipients get 36 months of benefits at the 100% level. The scholarship pays the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges.
For private or foreign schools, the benefit is capped at the national maximum, set at $29,920.95 for the 2025-2026 academic year. This dollar amount is provided as an example only and may not accurately reflect the amount awarded for 2027 or subsequent years.
The program also provides a monthly housing stipend based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) offered to an E-5 with dependents at the school’s ZIP code. A stipend of up to $1,000 per year is provided for books and supplies. Fry Scholarship recipients can also use the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps cover tuition and fees that exceed the scholarship’s cap at participating schools.
Eligibility for Children
Children are eligible if their parent was a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. Marriage does not affect a child’s eligibility for benefits.
There is no time limit to use the benefit if the parent’s death occurred on or after January 1, 2013. If the death occurred before that date, the child must use the scholarship by their 33rd birthday.
Eligibility for Spouses
A surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, is also eligible.
Surviving spouses keep their eligibility even if they remarry. The VA may restore benefits that expired under the previous rule; spouses in this situation must reapply.
Fry Scholarship vs. Other Benefits
Applicants should be aware of how the Fry Scholarship interacts with other VA benefits, as selecting one may impact the other.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Spouses must make an irrevocable election between the Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) and DEA (Chapter 35). This choice cannot be changed. The rule for children depends on the date of the parent’s death. If the death was before August 1, 2011, a child may use both programs for a combined total of 81 months of benefits. If the death was on or after that date, the child must also make an irrevocable election.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The rules for DIC payments are different for spouses and children. Spouses can receive both DIC payments and Fry Scholarship benefits concurrently. Children cannot; they must choose to pause DIC payments while using the scholarship.
How to Apply
Applications are processed through the VA.gov website. Applicants can also mail VA Form 22-5490, “Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits,” to their regional processing office.
After the VA approves the application, the applicant will receive a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate must be given to the school’s certifying official to activate the benefits.
Scholarships for the Military Community
- Military and Veteran Scholarships and Grants
- College Scholarships for Children of Veterans
- Scholarships for Gold Star Families
- Military Spouse Scholarships
- Scholarships for Military Dependent Children
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
