How to use the Fry Scholarship — Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship gives the child or surviving spouse of a service member or Selected Reserve member who died on or after September 11, 2001 up to 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100% rate: tuition and fees paid to the school (all in-state public tuition; up to $30,908.34 a year at private or foreign schools for August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027), a monthly housing allowance at the E-5-with-dependents BAH rate, up to $1,000 a year for books, and tutoring, test and licensing reimbursements. The death must have been in the line of duty on active duty, from a service-connected disability within 120 days of release from active duty, or — for the Selected Reserve — in the line of duty on training or from a service-connected disability. Apply online or on VA Form 22-5490.
What you'll need
- A VA.gov sign-in (Login.gov or ID.me), or VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits) on paper
- The service member's name, Social Security number and branch, and the date of death
- Your Social Security number, direct deposit information and school information
- Proof of relationship if VA asks (birth or marriage certificate)
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm the qualifying death
The service member or Selected Reserve member must have died on or after September 11, 2001 and one of these must be true: they died in the line of duty while serving on active duty; they died from a service-connected disability within 120 days of being discharged or released from active duty; a Selected Reserve member died in the line of duty other than active duty (active duty for training or inactive duty training — not state active duty); or a Selected Reserve member died from a service-connected disability.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/fry-scholarship/
Step 2: Rules for children and for surviving spouses
Children can be married or unmarried and may start once they turn 18 or finish high school (or a GED), whichever comes first; a child who receives Dependency and Indemnity Compensation must give up DIC while using the Fry Scholarship. Surviving spouses keep DIC while using Fry, and remarriage no longer ends eligibility earned through the earlier marriage — unused benefits that had expired can be restored for use on or after January 2, 2025 by applying again on VA Form 22-5490.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/fry-scholarship/
Step 3: Check the time limit
If the parent died before January 1, 2013, a child may use the Fry Scholarship until age 33 — unless the child turned 18, graduated or earned a GED after January 1, 2013, in which case there is no time limit. If the parent died on or after January 1, 2013, or was a Selected Reserve member who died in the line of duty other than active duty or from a service-connected disability, there is no time limit.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/fry-scholarship/
Step 4: Fry versus Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)
Fry pays at the 100% Post-9/11 rate (tuition to the school plus housing and books); DEA pays a flat monthly amount to you — $1,621.00 for full-time study from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 — with no separate tuition payment. If the parent died in the line of duty before August 1, 2011 you may qualify for both and can use them one at a time, up to 81 months combined. If the death was on or after August 1, 2011, you can use both only if you qualify for DEA through a different event, up to 48 months combined. Compare the housing allowance and tuition at your school before choosing which to use first.
Step 5: Apply and have the school certify your enrollment
Apply online at VA.gov, or mail VA Form 22-5490 to the regional processing office for the state where your school is (or where you live, if you have not chosen a school). Confirm the program is approved with the GI Bill Comparison Tool, then tell the school's VA certifying official you applied so they can submit your enrollment. VA mails a decision letter (Certificate of Eligibility); the Education Call Center is 888-442-4551, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET.
Critical tips
- The Fry Scholarship is not transferable — each eligible child and the surviving spouse applies in their own name.
- Yellow Ribbon schools can cover private-school costs above the $30,908.34 cap for Fry students.
- The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship can add up to 9 months or $30,000 after Fry benefits are used up, for approved STEM programs.
- Many states offer their own tuition programs for children and spouses of service members who died on duty; they can be combined with Fry — ask the school's certifying official.
- In crisis: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.