Fry Scholarship in North Carolina: Education for Surviving Dependents

The Fry Scholarship is available to unmarried dependents of service members who died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, under circumstances not due to willful misconduct. Under 38 U.S.C. § 3532, eligible dependents include children and spouses of the deceased service member. The dependent must have been born after December 31, 1982, or if born before that date, must have been enrolled in school or training before the service member's death.

Dependents have 15 years from the sponsor's date of death to use their Fry Scholarship benefits. The service member must have been on active duty status at the time of death in the Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force. There is no income limit or asset test for Fry Scholarship eligibility.

Spouses of deceased service members may transfer unused benefits to eligible children before their own entitlement expires. A dependent's entitlement ends when they reach age 33, marry (for children), or cease pursuing an approved educational program. The benefit covers enrollments at accredited institutions, including colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools, and flight training programs approved under 38 U.S.C. § 3501.

For the 2024 academic year, the Fry Scholarship provides the following maximum monthly rates:

Public Institutions (in-state tuition): $1,179.17 per month for full-time enrollment (100% of tuition and fees covered).

Private and Foreign Institutions: $1,179.17 per month for full-time enrollment, capped at the maximum rate regardless of actual tuition.

Vocational and Technical Schools: $1,179.17 per month for full-time enrollment.

Half-time Enrollment: 50% of full-time rate ($589.59).

Three-quarter Enrollment: 75% of full-time rate ($884.38).

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): $0 for dependents (MHA applies only to Post-9/11 GI Bill users and Yellow Ribbon Program participants).

Books and Supplies: Up to $83.33 per month for full-time students (included in the monthly payment).

These rates are adjusted annually by the Veterans Affairs for cost of living adjustments (COLA). The benefit year runs August 1 through July 31.

North Carolina provides no state-level additions to the federal Fry Scholarship. This education benefit is exclusively a federal program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs with uniform benefits across all states. North Carolina does not layer state tuition assistance, state education grants, or supplemental scholarship funds specifically for Fry Scholarship recipients.

However, North Carolina veterans' dependents may be eligible for other state-specific education benefits not tied to the Fry Scholarship. The North Carolina National Guard provides education benefits through the GI Bill State Top-Up program for eligible Guard members and their families. Additionally, some North Carolina public institutions and the University of North Carolina system offer institutional aid, in-state tuition discounts, and scholarships that may apply alongside federal Fry benefits.

Dependents should contact the financial aid office at their North Carolina institution to identify any state or institutional scholarships they may combine with Fry benefits. The benefit is not state-means-tested, so eligibility depends entirely on federal criteria. Because the Fry Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at public North Carolina universities, it effectively provides full tuition coverage without requiring state supplementation.

Claims for Fry Scholarship benefits are most often denied due to the following reasons:

**Service Member Death Not on Active Duty**: The service member must have been on active duty at the time of death. Deaths during inactive duty training, while in the Reserve Component, or after separation are not covered. Verify the exact duty status on the military casualty report.

**Death Before September 11, 2001**: The Fry Scholarship only covers deaths on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. If the death occurred before this date, the dependent is ineligible. However, the Pre-9/11 GI Bill may apply to some older survivors.

**Age Ineligibility**: Dependents born before January 1, 1983 (except spouses) must have been enrolled in an approved school before the sponsor's death. Children born after December 31, 1982 are automatically eligible regardless of enrollment history.

**Exceeded 15-Year Usage Window**: Benefits must be used within 15 years of the service member's death. If 15 years have passed, entitlement expires. Check the death date on the casualty notification letter.

**Dependent Already Used Benefits**: If a spouse already used the Fry Scholarship, children cannot receive transferred benefits beyond the spouse's remaining entitlement. Marriage may also terminate a child dependent's eligibility.

**Missing or Incorrect Documentation**: Applications denied for incomplete information (wrong SSN, missing death certificate) can be reopened with correct documents. Submit a new application or supplemental evidence through VA.gov.

**Unapproved Institution**: The school must be VA-approved under 38 U.S.C. § 3501. Online-only schools, non-accredited programs, or schools with unresolved compliance issues may not be covered. Confirm your school's VA approval status on WEAMS (www.va.gov/education/weams-survey/).

If your Fry Scholarship claim is denied, you have the right to appeal through one of three VA appeal lanes. The VA will issue a Rating Decision letter explaining the denial reason and your appeal options.

**Supplemental Claim (Fastest for New Evidence)**: File a Supplemental Claim on VA Form 20-0995 if you have new evidence the VA did not review in the original decision. Examples include a corrected death certificate, documentation of enrollment, or proof of active duty status. Deadline: One year from the date of the Rating Decision. Average processing: 4-6 months. No hearing required. Use this lane if you have documentary evidence proving your eligibility was wrongly denied.

**Higher-Level Review (Best for Factual Errors)**: File on VA Form 20-0996 to have a senior VA reviewer look at your case without new evidence. This lane is faster if you believe the VA made a factual mistake in evaluating your existing records. Deadline: One year from Rating Decision. Average processing: 4-6 months. You may request a hearing by phone. Use this lane if evidence was in your file but misapplied.

**Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) (Best for Complex Legal Arguments)**: File on VA Form 10182 to have a VA judge review your case. The BVA can consider new evidence and holds formal hearings. Deadline: One year from Rating Decision. Average processing: 12-24 months depending on docket. Request a hearing before a judge if your case involves disputed facts or interpretation of eligibility rules.

**Free Help**: Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) provide free representation at all appeal stages. The American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and state VSOs are accredited to represent you before the VA at no cost. Contact your county VSO or a national VSO to request a representative. Appeal preparation is free; never pay for VA representation.