Navigating Education Benefits: Understanding the Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35 DEA

Many military-affiliated students rely on Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to help finance their education. These benefits are typically disbursed to students monthly. Understanding the nuances of each program is crucial for eligible individuals to maximize their educational opportunities. This article delves into two significant VA education benefit programs: the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) and the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program, also known as Chapter 35 benefits.

Overview of VA Education Benefits

The VA offers a variety of education benefits to service members, veterans, and their families. These programs aim to support educational goals, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses in some cases. Some of the key programs include:

Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33): This program is for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. The VA may pay a percentage of tuition and fees directly to the educational institution, while a books and supplies stipend and other allowances are paid to the student.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program (Chapter 35): Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship): Available for children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

The Fry Scholarship honors Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, who died in service. It provides education benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.

Eligibility for the Fry Scholarship

Children: Eligible from ages 18 to 32.
Surviving Spouses: Eligibility criteria apply.

Benefits of the Fry Scholarship

Up to 36 months of educational benefits.
Pays 100 percent of tuition and fees at in-state public schools.
May cover tuition and fees at private or out-of-state schools, up to a certain limit.
Offers a monthly housing allowance.
Includes a books and supplies stipend.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program (Chapter 35)

The DEA program, often referred to as Chapter 35, offers educational assistance to the spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

Eligibility for Chapter 35 Benefits

Spouses: Of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
Children: Of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

Benefits of Chapter 35

Up to 36 months of educational benefits. Some beneficiaries might qualify for up to 81 months of GI Bill benefits if they use the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program in conjunction with other VA education programs.
A monthly payment to help pay for education and training expenses. The amount varies based on the type of education, program length, and enrollment status (full-time or part-time).
Benefits can be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
Correspondence courses are available for spouses.
Special restorative training benefits are available to children enrolled in a full-time program and include a monthly payment.

Time Limits for Chapter 35 Benefits

If you became eligible for DEA benefits on or after August 1, 2023, or you turned 18 years old on or after August 1, 2023, or you completed high school or received your GED on or after August 1, 2023, there’s no time limit.
Generally, you have up to 8 years to use your benefits before you turn 26 years old, if all of these are true: You became eligible for DEA before August 1, 2023, and You turned 18 before August 1, 2023, and You completed high school before August 1, 2023.

Key Differences and Similarities

While both the Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35 DEA provide educational benefits to dependents of service members, there are crucial differences:

Eligibility: The Fry Scholarship is specifically for dependents of those who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, while Chapter 35 is for dependents of veterans with a service-connected disability or who died on active duty or due to a service-related cause.
Benefit Amounts: The Fry Scholarship typically covers a higher percentage of tuition and fees compared to Chapter 35, and it may include a housing allowance. Chapter 35 provides a monthly stipend.
Dual Eligibility: A child whose parent died before August 1, 2011, may be eligible for both benefits but they may only use one program at a time and combined benefits are capped at a total of 81 months of full-time training. If your parent was a service member who died in the line of duty on or after August 1, 2011, you may use both DEA and the Fry Scholarship only if you qualify for DEA under a different event. You can use only 1 program at a time.

Important Considerations for Both Programs

*It is very important for students receiving Chapter 35 benefits who are pursuing a certificate or diploma program to verify their enrollment.

Enrollment Verification: Students receiving Chapter 35 benefits need to verify their enrollment monthly.
Course Requirements: VA education benefits only cover courses required for the degree program.
Enrollment Changes: Changes to enrollment, such as course withdrawals or failing a course, may result in VA debt.
Benefit Usage: The VA stipulates that qualified recipients can only get educational benefits from one program at a time. If you qualify for multiple programs, you must choose the one that best suits your needs.
Age Limits: Age limits apply to children who apply for Chapter 35 benefits.
Academic Standing: Once you begin receiving Chapter 35 benefits and start your courses or training, you must stay in good academic standing. The VA may stop your benefits if your educational institution or other recipient reports you for unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress.
Monthly Payments: Monthly payments are prorated depending on how many days you are enrolled in a program.
Dual Chapter 35: The school can only certify Chapter 35 under one qualifying veteran's name.
Irrevocable Election: If you are eligible for both Fry Scholarship and DEA, you will be required to make an irrevocable election between the two programs when you apply.
Active Duty Restriction: If you join the military, you cannot use this benefit while on active duty. And if you want to use this benefit after you leave the service, you cannot have a dishonorable discharge.

Additional VA Benefits

The VA provides a range of additional benefits that can supplement educational assistance:

Tuition Assistance (TA): A Department of Defense program that assists active-duty service members with tuition costs. TA rules vary by branch of service.
Yellow Ribbon Program: This program can help cover tuition and fee expenses that exceed the limits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Fry Scholars and those using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be eligible.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program: Offers services to veterans with service-connected disabilities to help them prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of deceased veterans. Spouses can receive both DEA and DIC payments.

How to Apply and Utilize Benefits

Determine Eligibility: Review the eligibility criteria for both the Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35 to determine which program(s) you qualify for.
Gather Required Documents: Collect necessary documents, such as your Social Security number, the service member's Social Security number, and information about the school you plan to attend.
Apply Online: Apply for benefits through the VA website.
Notify the School: Inform the certifying official at your school or training program that you have applied for VA education benefits.
Submit Required Forms: Complete the necessary forms required by your school, such as the ECU Request for Benefits Form, and upload a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility.
Verify Enrollment: Students receiving Chapter 35 benefits must verify their enrollment at the end of each month with the VA.
Monitor Payments: Track your monthly payments and ensure they are being disbursed correctly.

State-Specific Benefits

In addition to federal VA benefits, many states offer their own educational assistance programs for veterans and their dependents. Check with your state's local veterans department to explore potential opportunities to supplement your federal benefits. For example, a child of a wartime veteran may also qualify for State Free Tuition. If you are an out-of-state student and will be living in the state of NC on the first day of school, you might possibly qualify for in-state tuition rates while using the Chapter 35 benefit.

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