Gold Star Siblings Act Expands GI Bill and Fry Scholarship Education Benefits to Brothers and Sisters of Fallen Veterans

This legislation, titled the “Gold Star Siblings Educational Benefits Act,” is straightforward: it significantly expands who qualifies for key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance programs. Essentially, it adds the siblings of certain deceased or disabled veterans to the list of eligible family members who can receive these benefits. This includes the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35), the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship, and, crucially, the Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer program.

The Fry Scholarship and Chapter 35: A Wider Net

For most people, the immediate impact is a wider safety net for families. The bill amends the eligibility rules for both the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) and the Fry Scholarship to include siblings. Previously, these were generally limited to spouses and children. For example, if a service member died in the line of duty, their brother or sister, who might have been raised alongside them, could not access these educational funds. This bill fixes that, recognizing that the impact of a loss extends beyond immediate dependents.

Crucially, the bill defines "sibling" broadly: it means a brother or sister by blood, adoption, or through a recognized guardianship or family relationship. This broad definition ensures that non-traditional family structures—like those raised under a guardianship or in a blended family—are covered. The bill also clarifies that for the Fry Scholarship, a "child" can be married or over the age of 23, removing previous restrictions that sometimes blocked older students.

Transferring GI Bill Benefits to Siblings

Perhaps the biggest change involves the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Section 4 allows veterans to transfer their unused Post-9/11 benefits to a sibling. If you’re a veteran who earned the benefit and you have a younger sibling struggling to pay for college, this bill opens the door to help them directly. The rules here are specific, much like they are for spouses and children: a veteran can transfer benefits to a sibling who is 23 years of age or older, or a sibling under the age of 23.

However, there are time limits on when the sibling can use those transferred benefits. Generally, they must use them by the later of two dates: the standard 15-year expiration date of the benefit, or the date the sibling turns 26 years old. This age cap is an important detail for anyone planning their education timeline—it’s not an open-ended benefit.

The Caregiver Exception

The bill includes a critical exception for siblings who step up as caregivers. If a sibling serves as a primary caregiver for a seriously injured service member or veteran before turning 26, their benefit timeline can be extended. This is a huge deal because caregiving often requires pausing education or career plans. The extension equals the length of time they served as the primary caregiver. This provision recognizes the immense sacrifice of family caregivers and ensures they don't lose their educational opportunity because they were fulfilling a vital family role.