Washington, DC — Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) is pleased to announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is accepting applications for the Machine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.

Signed into law last year, the Fry Scholarship expands the New GI Bill education benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for children of service members who died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Recipients are eligible to receive 36 months of tuition and fees up to the maximum in-state tuition, a monthly living stipend, and a book allowance.

“This scholarship honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen heroes,” said Congresswoman Kilpatrick. “Their legacy lives on in their children. We must ensure that we continue to support the families of those who gave their lives to keep our country safe and to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.”
 
This VA benefit program took effect August 1, 2009. The 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.

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