The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship gives certain children and surviving spouses education benefits similar to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. It serves families of Armed Forces or Selected Reserve members who died under specified circumstances after September 11, 2001. It is not merit aid and is not available to every Veteran’s family.
A child or surviving spouse may qualify when the member died on active duty, from a qualifying service-connected disability within the stated period, or under VA’s listed Selected Reserve circumstances. Children must meet age or graduation rules, and delimiting periods depend on the date of death. Coordination rules apply to Fry, DEA, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
2026–27 rates follow Chapter 33: tuition treatment differs between public and private schools; at private or foreign schools the full-tier annual net cap is $30,908.34. Housing may be available when enrollment and modality qualify, along with up to $1,000 for books. The benefit follows the student’s eligibility tier and may not cover every cost.
Apply through VA.gov or submit VA Form 22-5490. After choosing a school, notify its certifying official and provide documents showing the relationship and service member’s status. Request a written eligibility review; if you also qualify for DEA, compare remaining months and use one program at a time under the combined limit.
Qualifying death circumstances and deadlines vary by case. Do not share sensitive records outside VA and the school processing them. Read the program profile and the administering agency; ask your financial-aid office to review your individual case.
Fry Scholarship — Veterans Affairs.
Fry Scholarship Rates — Veterans Affairs.
VA Form 22-5490 — Veterans Affairs.
Information checked October 13, 2026 against official sources. Scholarships, loans, rates, amounts, and application cycles can change. Read the contract and confirm the current cycle with the agency or financial-aid office before making decisions.
Qualifying death circumstances and deadlines vary by case. Do not share sensitive records outside VA and the school processing them.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Tuition, housing, and books under Post-9/11 GI Bill rules, the benefit tier, and case-specific dates.
Public student financial-aid program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Fry Scholarship
The office applies special child/spouse, date, cap, approved-school, and DEA coordination rules.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Fry Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Fry Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Veterans Affairs · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.