Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

Up to 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100% level for the child or surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Also called: Fry Scholarship, Fry, survivor GI Bill, line of duty death education.

For: Child, survivor.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

The Fry Scholarship gives the full Post-9/11 GI Bill, including tuition, housing and books, to the child or surviving spouse of a service member or Selected Reserve member who died on or after September 11, 2001, in the line of duty while on active duty, or from a service-connected disability while in the Selected Reserve, or within 120 days of discharge from a service-connected disability. A child can use it after turning 18 or finishing high school. If the parent died on or after January 1, 2013, there is no time limit; for earlier deaths a child has until 33 unless they turned 18 or finished school after January 1, 2013. A surviving spouse keeps eligibility on remarriage, and from January 2, 2025, VA can restore expired spouse benefits. A survivor eligible for both Fry and DEA can use only one at a time, with combined use capped at 81 months for a line-of-duty death before August 1, 2011, and 48 months otherwise. Fry Scholars can use the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Rogers STEM Scholarship. Apply on VA Form 22-5490.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Gate	Rule
Line of duty death after September 10, 2001	The service member must have died in the line of duty, or from a service-connected disability within the listed windows, on or after September 11, 2001.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed Social Security number
Where to get it Your Social Security card. Social Security replaces a lost card.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
Where to get it A check from the account, or your bank.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Education and military history
Where to get it Your school transcripts and diplomas, and your DD214 or other service records.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10

Sources

Fry ScholarshipOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.