Post 9/11 GI Bill:  Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

What is the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Fry Scholarship?

Public Law 111-32, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) to include the children of service members who die in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001.  The benefit is effective August 1, 2009; the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect.  Eligible children attending school may receive up to the highest public, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, pus a monthly living stipend and book allowance under this program.

Who is eligible?

Children of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who has died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for this benefit.  A child may be married or over 23 and still be eligible.

            Eligible Children:

·         Are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level

·         Have 15 years to use the benefits beginning on his/her 18^th birthday

·         May use the benefit until his or her 33^rd birthday

·         Cannot use benefit before age 18, even if he or she has complete high school

·         Are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program

Rules for eligible children serving, or who have served, in the Armed Forces:

·         If the child is eligible under the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve, and/or the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), then he or she must relinquish eligibility under one of these programs  to receive benefits under Post-9/11 GI Bill

·         A child’s character of discharge from his or her own service does not impact eligibility resulting from the line of duty death of a parent

·         A child on active duty will receive benefits at the active duty benefit rate (eligible for unlimited tuition and fees but not eligible for monthly housing allowance or books and supplied stipend)

·         A child who meets the service requirements to transfer entitlement under Post-9/11 GI Bill may be eligible to transfer up to 36 months of entitlement to his or her dependents.

When will benefits be paid?

VA must begin issuing payments under this benefit no later than August 1, 2010.  This includes retroactive payments for eligible children enrolled during the period of August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010.

VA will being accepting applications for this benefit May 1, 2010, and will being issuing payment to eligible children by 8/1/10.  Children enrolled from 8/1/09 through 7/31/10 may receive retroactive payments for that time.

NOTE:  Children currently enrolled in school may apply for benefits under VA’s Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.  The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.  The application for this benefit is available online, and there is a link on the GI Bill website, www.gibill.va.gov.  The link takes the user to VONAPP, the online application.  Select VA Form 22-5490, Application for Dependents’ Education Assistance, to apply.  If you are a son or daughter, under legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application.

For more information, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551),

Or visit the VA GI Bill Website at http://www.gibill.va.gov

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