Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty (and certain other qualifying deaths defined by statute).
- Common name
- Fry Scholarship
- Administering authority
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Legal authority
- 38 U.S.C. chapter 33 (survivor eligibility provisions)
- Eligibility framework
- Provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100 percent tier to eligible survivors; VA determines eligibility.
- Duration or entitlement
- Generally up to 36 months.
- Apply through
- VA.
- Payment goes to
- Tuition to institution; stipends to student.
- Campus office involved
- School Certifying Official
- County office involved
- County Veterans Service Offices can assist.
- Renewal
- Enrollment certified each term.
- Deadlines
- Time and age rules vary by category and date of death; verify with VA.
- Institution limitations
- Program must be GI Bill approved.
What it normally covers
- Same structure as the Post-9/11 GI Bill: tuition and fees to the school, housing allowance, book stipend
What it normally excludes
- Same exclusions as Chapter 33
Known interaction points
- A survivor eligible for both Fry and Chapter 35 generally must elect one benefit.
Official sources
- Fry Scholarship (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Record history
- 2026-08-26: Initial record created.
Suggested citation: California Veteran Education Observatory (2026-08-26). Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (benefit record). The Veteran Benefit Desk. https://veteranbenefitdesk.com/california-veteran-education/benefits/fry
The California Veteran Education Observatory is an independent research and public-information project of The Veteran Benefit Desk. It is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Student Aid Commission, or any college or university. It does not provide individualized legal, financial-aid, education, or benefits advice.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at va.gov/education.
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