fi nancialforum Spread the Word C
Want to Apply? Those eligible for the Ma- rine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholar- ship may apply online at
www.gibill.va.gov or by calling (888) 442-4551.
Learn about this often-overlooked VA education benefi t so you can pass on the details to any potential benefi ciaries you might know. By Phil Dyer, CFP
Children of active duty servicemem- bers who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholar- ship, named for a Marine who died in Iraq. Public Law 111-32 amended the Post-9/11 GI Bill to expand education benefi ts to the children of active duty servicemembers (in- cluding guardmembers and reservists serv- ing on Title 10 active duty orders) who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The VA fi rst began accepting appli- cations in May 2010 and began issuing payments Aug. 1, 2010. The benefi t is retroactively eff ective to Aug. 1, 2009, the day the Post-9/11 GI Bill took eff ect. Eligibility: Children of active duty ser- vicemembers who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible. An in-the-line-of-duty death is diff erent from a combat death in that it includes virtu- ally any death where a servicemember is not engaged in an illegal, immoral, or un- ethical act. For example, a death resulting from a motor vehicle accident while driv- ing intoxicated likely would not qualify, but a death caused by a heart attack while doing PT would qualify. In addition, children also must:
be at least age 18 to apply; use the benefi t by age 33 (within 15 years of turning age 18); and waive any eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Reserve MGIB, or Reserve Educational Assistance Program based on their own service records.
Unlike many benefi ts for dependent
children, getting married or being age 23 or older does not aff ect eligibility. Benefits: Each eligible child receives a
modifi ed Post-9/11 GI Bill benefi t including: 36 months of educational benefi ts at the 100-percent rate. This covers all un- dergraduate tuition and fees for in-state public schools. Those attending graduate schools, out-of-state public schools, or private schools receive a benefi t of up to $17,500 annually for tuition and fees. The VA pays these benefi ts directly to the school; a housing stipend equal to the E-5 (with dependents) basic allowance for housing rate for the ZIP code the school is in, paid to the student; and up to $1,000 annually for books and sup- plies, paid to the student. The benefi t may be used for degree-
granting programs (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate), vocational train- ing, and certifi cate programs. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John
David Fry Scholarship does not grant ac- cess to the Yellow Ribbon Program, and the above benefi ts refl ect some signifi cant changes in the Post-9/11 GI Bill for the 2011-12 school year and beyond.
MO
— Former Army Capt. Phil Dyer, CFP®, is deputy director, Benefi ts Information and Finan- cial Education. To speak with a fi nancial plan- ner, contact USAA at (877) 913-6622 or www
.usaa.com/moaa, or visit
www.moaa.org/fi nan cialcenter for other resources.
*fact: Fry was killed by an IED in Iraq March 8, 2006. He left behind his wife and three young children. 42 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2011
PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN
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