freeman4u16Losing a parent or spouse in the line of duty is a loss no family should have to carry. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship exists to make sure that sacrifice is honored with something concrete: a fully funded path to a college degree for the children and surviving spouses left behind. Yet according to veteran advocacy groups, thousands of eligible Gold Star families never claim the benefit in full simply because they do not know how it works.
This guide breaks down exactly who qualifies for the Fry Scholarship in 2026, what it pays for, how it compares to the older Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, and the step-by-step process for applying — including a major 2025 law change that restored benefits to surviving spouses who remarried.
What Is the Fry Scholarship?
The Fry Scholarship is a Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, who was killed in Iraq in 2006. Congress created the program in 2009 and expanded it in 2014 to include surviving spouses, not just children. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provides education benefits at the full 100% tier of the Post-9/11 GI Bill — the highest benefit level available.
In simple terms, the Fry Scholarship pays for school the same way the Post-9/11 GI Bill would pay for an eligible veteran, but the recipient never had to serve themselves. Instead, eligibility flows from the death of a parent or spouse who died in the line of duty while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.
Fry Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility hinges on two things: your relationship to the fallen service member, and the circumstances of that service member’s death. Below is a breakdown for each category of beneficiary.
Eligible Children
A child of a service member or Selected Reserve member is eligible for the Fry Scholarship if the parent died in the line of duty while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. There is no minimum or maximum age requirement tied to the child’s date of birth, and marital status does not affect a child’s eligibility. Children may use the benefit any time after they turn 18, or after earning a high school diploma or equivalency, and the benefit does not expire based on age.
Eligible Surviving Spouses
A surviving spouse is eligible if their husband or wife died in the line of duty while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. For years, spouses lost eligibility either 15 years after the service member’s death or upon remarriage — whichever came first. That rule has changed significantly, which is covered in detail later in this guide.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Surviving spouses and children of Air National Guard service members who died while on State Active Duty (as opposed to federal active duty) are not eligible.
- Deaths that occurred before September 11, 2001 do not qualify.
- If the service member died from a service-connected disability rather than in the line of duty while on active duty, the family should instead look into the DEA (Chapter 35) program, covered below.
Fry Scholarship Benefits: What You Get
The Fry Scholarship pays benefits at the 100% tier of the Post-9/11 GI Bill for up to 36 months, roughly the length of a four-year degree when combined with summer terms. Here is what that covers.
Tuition Coverage
At public colleges and universities, the VA pays the full in-state tuition and mandatory fees directly to the school — even if the student is not technically a resident of that state. At private or foreign schools, tuition is capped at a rate the VA updates every academic year. For the 2025–2026 academic year, that private-school cap is $29,920.95. Schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program can also close the gap between the VA cap and actual tuition costs at more expensive private institutions.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
Students attending school more than half-time receive a monthly housing stipend based on the zip code of the campus, calculated using the same Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates used for military personnel. This can range from roughly $1,800 to well over $3,000 per month depending on the cost of living near the school. Students taking classes entirely online receive a reduced flat housing rate instead.
Books and Supplies Stipend
Recipients also receive a stipend for books and supplies, currently up to $1,000 per academic year, paid out proportionally based on enrollment.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Fry Scholarship recipients qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program, a voluntary agreement between the VA and participating schools to cover tuition costs above the standard private-school cap. Under Yellow Ribbon, a school agrees to contribute a certain amount toward the gap, and the VA matches that contribution dollar for dollar — which can make even expensive private universities fully affordable.
Fry Scholarship vs. DEA (Chapter 35): Which Should You Choose?
Families of fallen or permanently disabled veterans sometimes qualify for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA (Dependents’ Educational Assistance, also called Chapter 35). The two programs are structured very differently, and in most cases where a family qualifies for both, Fry is the far more valuable option.
DEA pays a fixed monthly stipend directly to the student — currently around $1,488 per month at full-time enrollment — regardless of tuition costs. Over three years, that adds up to roughly $54,000. The Fry Scholarship, by contrast, pays actual tuition directly to the school, plus a separate housing allowance and books stipend. Over the same three years, total Fry value commonly exceeds $100,000, and can be significantly higher at pricier private schools.
If a child became eligible because a parent died on or after August 1, 2011, the choice between Fry and DEA is a one-time, irrevocable election — meaning it is worth taking the time to run the numbers for your specific school before deciding. Children of a parent who died before August 1, 2011 may in some cases use the full entitlement of both programs, though not simultaneously.
Recent Changes: The Remarriage Rule and Benefit Restoration
One of the most important updates to the Fry Scholarship in recent years involves surviving spouses who remarried. Under the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act of 2025, the old rule that cut off a spouse’s eligibility either upon remarriage or 15 years after the service member’s death has been removed entirely. Surviving spouses can now access Fry Scholarship benefits at any time, regardless of marital status.
If your Fry Scholarship benefits previously expired under the old rules, the VA will restore them for use any time after January 2, 2025 — even if you have since remarried. To get restored benefits, you will need to reapply using VA Form 22-5490. Notably, surviving spouses can continue receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments while also using the Fry Scholarship; the two benefits do not offset each other.
How Long Do You Have to Use the Fry Scholarship?
Children of fallen service members can use their 36 months of Fry Scholarship benefits at any point after turning 18 or completing high school, with no expiration age. Surviving spouses, following the 2025 law change, no longer face a 15-year time limit either. If a spouse also served in the military themselves, they may be eligible for up to 36 months under Fry and another 36 months of their own Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement, and can potentially receive additional months if another parent transfers entitlement to them.
How to Apply for the Fry Scholarship: Step by Step
- Step 1: Confirm eligibility. Gather documentation showing your relationship to the service member and confirmation that the death occurred in the line of duty on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 (such as a DD Form 1300 or casualty report).
- Step 2: Complete VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits). This can be submitted online through VA.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
- Step 3: Submit supporting documents, including your Social Security number, the service member’s information, and proof of the relationship (birth certificate for children, marriage certificate for spouses).
- Step 4: Wait for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The VA reviews the application and, once approved, issues a COE that states how many months of benefits you have and at what percentage level.
- Step 5: Choose your school and submit the COE. Give the Certificate of Eligibility to the school’s VA Certifying Official, who will certify your enrollment each term so tuition and housing payments can begin.
- Step 6: If eligible for both Fry and DEA, request comparison information from the VA before making your irrevocable election between the two programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Fry Scholarship at any college?
You can use it at any VA-approved public, private, or foreign institution, as well as many vocational and technical training programs. Tuition coverage rules differ between public and private schools, as outlined above.
Does the Fry Scholarship cover graduate school?
Yes. As long as you have remaining months of entitlement, the benefit can be used for graduate programs, not just undergraduate degrees.
What happens to unused Fry Scholarship months?
For children, unused months generally do not expire based on age. For surviving spouses, the 2025 law change removed the 15-year time limit, and previously expired benefits can now be restored through a new application.
Can both a spouse and a child use the Fry Scholarship from the same service member’s death?
Yes. Each eligible child and the surviving spouse can separately receive up to 36 months of benefits; the entitlement is not a single shared pool.
Is the Fry Scholarship taxable income?
No. VA education benefits, including the Fry Scholarship, are not considered taxable income.
Can I switch from DEA to Fry Scholarship later?
If your parent died on or after August 1, 2011, the election between Fry and DEA is generally irrevocable once made, so it is worth comparing the value of both programs carefully before choosing.
Final Thoughts
The Fry Scholarship is one of the most generous education benefits the federal government offers, and it exists specifically because a service member gave their life in the line of duty. For Gold Star children and surviving spouses, claiming it in full — tuition, housing, books, and Yellow Ribbon coverage where applicable — can be worth well over $100,000 toward a degree. If you think you or a family member may qualify, especially under the newly restored spousal eligibility rules, the next step is simple: gather your documentation and file VA Form 22-5490. It is a benefit your service member earned, and it belongs to the family they left behind.
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