The Peru Gazette

Scholarships to cover cost of college for children of troops who have died in line of duty since 9/11

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has started taking applications for The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which Congress passed and was signed into law last year.  The scholarship expands the New GI Bill education benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for all of the children of service members who have died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

“Our military families are the unsung heroes of our nation’s defense, and no one is more deserving of our support than children whose mother or father have given their life in the honor and service to our country,” said Owens.

Fry Scholarship

• All children of members of the Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for 36 months of tuition and fees up to the maximum in-state tuition and as well as a monthly living stipend, and book allowance.
• The VA is currently accepting applications for this benefit.
• The benefit took effect August 1, 2009, and VA must begin making payments no later than August 1, 2010 with retroactive payments for children enrolled in college from August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010.
• Surviving military children have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays.
• VA estimates 1,500 military children will be eligible for the Fry scholarship in 2010.
  

For more information, visit the VA website at http://www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-88-442-4551)