John David Fry Scholarship for Bright American Students

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) is available to the children and spouses of qualified Veterans. If your parent or spouse died in the line of duty while serving in one of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001, or was a member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for this payment. Continue reading to find out if you qualify for educational benefits through this scholarship.

History of John David Fry Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111-32. The Post-9/11 GI Bill was amended to provide educational assistance benefits to the children of service members killed in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

The Veterans Choice, Accountability, and Recognition Act of 2014 increased eligibility to include surviving spouses.

The proposed Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2021 would provide benefits to spouses and children of service personnel who died as a result of a service-connected disability within 120 days of joining the military.

According to the VA, Marine Gunnery Sgt. John D. Fry was killed in action on March 8, 2006, while disarming an improvised explosive device (IED) in Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 28 years old when he died, leaving behind his wife, Malia, and three young children.

Her efforts to honour her husband’s memory and sacrifice resulted in the Fry Scholarship. and they have assisted in sending hundreds of children of slain service members to college and other postsecondary educational endeavours.

Level/Field of Study

This scholarship covers all levels and fields of study. From high school to university.

Host Nationality

The Fry scholarship is brought to you by the US Department of Veteran Affairs for Americans who are related to a military offcer.

Eligibility for John David Fry Scholarship

If you are the child or surviving spouse of one of the following people, you may be eligible for John David Fry Scholarship benefits:

• A member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, or
• A member of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, while not on active duty, or
• A Selected Reserve member who died as a result of a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001.

As the child of a service member

• You can be married or single.
• If you turned 18 or graduated from high school before January 1, 2013, you are eligible for a Fry Scholarship until the age of 33.
• If you are over the age of 18 or have graduated from high school after January 1, 2013, you are eligible for a Fry Scholarship (whichever comes first).
• If your father served in the Selected Reserve and died from a service-connected disability while not on active duty, you can apply for a John David Fry Scholarship at any age.
• You may be eligible for both the Fry Scholarship and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program if your parent died in the line of duty before August 1, 2011. However, you can only utilize one software at a time.
• If you are receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), you must stop receiving those benefits when you begin using the John David Fry Scholarship.

As the spouse of a service member

• You will no longer be eligible for the scholarship if you remarry.
• While using the Fry Scholarship, you can still receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments.

Requirements to Apply for Fry Scholarship

• Bank account direct deposit information
• Basic information about the school or training institution you want to attend or are currently attending
• Education and military history
• Social Security number

How to Apply for the John David Fry Scholarship

Fill up and return VA Form 22-5490. If under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the application.Apply by clicking the button below.

Scholarship Award

You may be eligible for up to 36 months of benefits, which include:

• Tuition funds (full in-state tuition at public institutions and up to $22,805.34 per year at private or out-of-state schools)
• Housing funding
• Support on books and supplies

Conclusion

To learn more about the benefits and services you may be eligible for as a Veteran, service member, or family member of a Veteran or servicemember, please call the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Help Line at 1.888.838.7697 (VETSNYS), where you can also schedule an appointment with one of our Veterans Benefits Advisors.