The Marine Gunnery Sgt. John David Fry Scholarship provides education benefits to the surviving spouses and children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Fry, of Lorena, Texas. With only a week left in his Iraq tour in 2006, Fry, 28, injured his hand and was given the option of going home early with a Bronze Star. Fry declined the offer and volunteered to go on one last run to defuse bombs. Fry was killed March 8, 2006, by an improvised explosive device in Anbar province, Iraq, leaving behind his widow and three small children.
Like Post-9/11 veterans, eligible surviving spouses and children attending school may receive full tuition coverage at state-operated colleges and universities, plus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program.
Surviving spouses can use the Fry Scholarship for 15 years from the anniversary of the service member's death or until they remarry.
Eligible children can use the Fry Scholarship between the ages of 18 and 33. Children under age 18 can't use this benefit even if they have completed high school. The child's marital status doesn't affect eligibility.
If you're eligible for the Fry Scholarship, you can get:
- Full tuition and fees paid directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools, tuition and fees are capped at $28,937.09 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- A monthly housing allowance.
- A stipend for books and supplies.
You are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. However, you are eligible to attend any GI Bill-approved school in the country and have your in-state tuition fully covered. You do not have to be a resident of that state to qualify for in-state tuition.
How to Apply
Complete and submit a VA Form 22-5490. A parent or guardian must sign the application if the child is under age 18. Apply online.
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