Scholarship available for children of fallen troops p1 - Military - College News and Information - Military Times EDGE

Applications are being accepted for a new scholarship program that lets the children of some deceased service members tap into Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Payments could begin as early as Aug. 1, VA officials said.

Retroactive payments of tuition, a living stipend and book allowance will be available to some children under the Fry Scholarship program, named for John D. Fry, a Marine gunnery sergeant killed in Iraq in 2006. Retroactive benefits will cover expenses from Aug. 1, 2009, through July 31, 2010, with applicants required to provide proof of enrollment.

Fry Scholarships are available to the children of service members who have died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001. The child must be 18 or older. More than one member of a family is eligible to use the benefits, making Fry Scholarships different from the transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which requires families to share 36 months of tuition and fees.

For more information, call 1-888-442-4551.