How to access the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Step-by-step guide for surviving spouses + children of post-9/11 service members who died in the line of duty. The Fry Scholarship provides FULL Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (tuition + housing allowance + book stipend) — substantially more generous than DEA Chapter 35. 5 steps for eligibility verification + application via VA Form 22-5490.
What you'll need
- VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents Application for Education Benefits)
- Service member's death certificate (showing line-of-duty death)
- Service member's DD-214 + casualty report
- Surviving family member's documentation (marriage cert / birth cert)
- Free CVSO (recommended)
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm eligibility (Fry vs DEA — important distinction)
FRY SCHOLARSHIP eligibility: surviving spouse OR child of an active-duty service member who died IN THE LINE OF DUTY on or after September 11, 2001. Same level as Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33) — full tuition + housing + books + Yellow Ribbon. NO 15-year time limit (Forever GI Bill applies). DEA CHAPTER 35 is broader (covers more cases including non-LOD deaths) but LESS generous (~$1,536/mo flat rate, no full tuition coverage). Fry > DEA when both are options. Surviving family CAN choose between Fry + DEA but cannot use both simultaneously.
Step 2: Confirm line-of-duty determination
CRITICAL: Fry requires "line of duty" death determination. This is documented in the service member's casualty report (DD Form 1300) or via VA Form 21P-535. If the death is from service-connected condition (heart attack, suicide post-deployment, accident during military activity, combat death), it typically qualifies. If unclear, request line-of-duty determination via casualty office (varies by branch — Army Casualty + Mortuary Affairs, Navy CACO, etc.).
Step 3: File VA Form 22-5490 specifying Fry Scholarship
File online at va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/fry-scholarship/. Specify "FRY SCHOLARSHIP" in Section IV (not DEA — important to choose). Include: deceased service member's DD-214 + death certificate + casualty report (if available), your relationship documentation. VA processes 30-60 days typical.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/fry-scholarship/
Step 4: Choose between Fry + DEA at first use (irrevocable)
IMPORTANT: For children of service members who died after August 1, 2011 — you can choose between Fry Scholarship + DEA Chapter 35 the FIRST time you use education benefits. After first use, the choice is IRREVOCABLE. Most should choose Fry (more generous). Children of service members who died BEFORE August 1, 2011: only DEA Ch 35 available (Fry not retroactive that far). For surviving spouses: Fry is the better choice almost always.
Step 5: Use Fry benefits at any approved education program
Fry Scholarship covers: in-state public college tuition (full), private/foreign college tuition (capped at ~$28K/year, 2025), Yellow Ribbon participating schools (bridges the gap for private schools), apprenticeships, on-the-job training, vocational programs. Receive monthly housing allowance (BAH-equivalent) + $1,000/year books stipend. 36 months total benefit. NO 15-year usage time limit (Forever GI Bill applies to Fry).
Critical tips
- Fry Scholarship is OFTEN OVERLOOKED by surviving families. Many families default to DEA Chapter 35 not knowing Fry exists. Free CVSO/VFW/Legion service officers help compare options.
- For surviving CHILDREN of post-9/11 service members: Fry covers up to age 33 (was 26 pre-PACT — extended).
- Surviving SPOUSES who remarry: Fry continues IF you remarry AFTER age 57 (or never remarry). DEA Ch 35 is more restrictive.
- Fry benefits CAN be transferred to other dependents in some cases (consult VA — transfer rules complex).
- Pair Fry with state veteran tuition waivers (Texas Hazlewood, California, etc.). Some states allow surviving family to use the deceased veteran's state tuition waiver in addition to Fry — substantial savings.