What Is Fry Scholarship
Fry Scholarship is an education benefit available to eligible children and spouses of service members who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition after September 10, 2001. It provides up to 36 months of post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and is named after former VA Secretary Jesse Brown's executive order establishing the program.
The scholarship transfers unused post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement from the deceased service member to family members. If you're the surviving child or spouse of someone whose death was tied to military service, understanding how Fry Scholarship intersects with your VA benefits claim is critical to maximizing your education funding.
Eligibility and Connection to VA Benefits
Fry Scholarship eligibility depends on how the service member's death is classified in the VA system. If the death is rated as service-connected by the VA, or if it occurred while on active duty, family members become eligible. This is where the connection to your VA disability claim matters: the VA's rating determination directly affects whether your family qualifies.
Eligible recipients include:
- Children between ages 18 and 33
- Spouses with no time limit on eligibility
- Surviving children of service members who died before becoming eligible for retirement
The eligibility determination typically comes through the VA's decision on whether the death was service-connected. If you're filing a claim related to a service member's death, the VA will evaluate whether there's a nexus between the condition that caused death and military service, similar to how a C&P examiner would assess any other service-connected condition.
Fry Scholarship vs. DIC: Understanding the Difference
Veterans often confuse Fry Scholarship with DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation). Both are survivor benefits, but they serve different purposes. DIC provides monthly cash payments to surviving spouses and children based on the service member's rank. Fry Scholarship provides education benefits using transferred GI Bill entitlement.
A family can receive both benefits simultaneously. For example, a surviving spouse might receive a monthly DIC payment while a child uses Fry Scholarship to attend college. These benefits are not mutually exclusive.
How to Apply and Required Documentation
The application process begins with filing VA Form 21-0993 (Application for Fry Scholarship) with the VA. Before you apply, you need to have the service member's death classified by the VA as service-connected or verified as occurring during active duty.
You'll need:
- The service member's military discharge documents
- Death certificate
- VA decision letter confirming service-connected death (if applicable)
- Birth certificate or marriage certificate (depending on your relationship to the deceased)
- Your Social Security number and the service member's Social Security number
If the service member's death hasn't yet been rated as service-connected, you may need to file a separate disability claim or death claim with the VA first. A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help coordinate this, ensuring the death rating is established before the Fry Scholarship application is submitted.
Benefit Amount and Duration
Fry Scholarship provides up to 36 months of educational benefits at the post-9/11 GI Bill rate. As of 2024, the monthly housing allowance varies by school location and enrollment status, ranging from approximately $1,000 to $2,700 per month for full-time students. The exact amount depends on your school's location and whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time.
Beneficiaries have 15 years from the service member's date of death to use the benefit. Unused months cannot be transferred to other family members.
Common Questions
If the service member's death wasn't service-connected, can I still get Fry Scholarship? Yes, if the death occurred while on active duty (including active duty for training), regardless of whether it was service-connected. The key is the timing and duty status, not the cause of death.
Can I use Fry Scholarship for online or part-time education? Yes. The benefit works with any VA-approved educational institution. Part-time attendance reduces the monthly housing allowance proportionally but extends how long your 36 months last.
What happens if I don't use all my months within 15 years? Unused entitlement expires. There is no carryover or transfer to other family members, so planning when to use the benefit matters, especially for younger children who may have significant time remaining.
Related Concepts
Understanding Fry Scholarship in context with other benefits strengthens your overall knowledge of survivor benefits: