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The Fry Scholarship was established to remember its namesake — United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry — a Bronze Star recipient, father of three and native of Lorena, Texas, who was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in the Anbar province in Iraq. Weeks before, the serviceman had been given the option to go back to the states after injuring his hand. He declined and stayed on to defuse bombs scattered to kill his fellow Marines.

Fry was just 28 years old.

If you’re a child or spouse of a fallen service member who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for this special educational assistance program — which offers up to 36 months of money for tuition (or training), housing, books and supplies.

Children first become eligible after their 18th birthday or their high school graduation (they stop becoming eligible after their 33rd birthday). A spouse has 15 years after a service member’s death to utilize the scholarship (remarrying disqualifies one for the Fry) or — if this time has expired, until January 1, 2021.

To apply for this benefit, click here and refer to the bottom of the page under “What are the steps?“.

If you’re a veteran and would like to check your G.I. Bill benefits, click here.

To apply for G.I. Bill benefits, you may click here.