Children of Fallen Heroes

On March 23, 2018, the President authorized the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act.  Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. All Title IV aid awarded to eligible students will be based on an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero without regard to student’s official calculated EFC.

A Public Safety Officer for Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act is:

• As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
• A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

1.  Have been less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death; and
2. Be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC (up to 5,576 for the 2019-2020 award year). In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.

How to Apply:

If you meet the requirements above, please complete the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Application and attach one of the following as documentation.

•  A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice;
• A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer as defined above;
• Documentation of the student qualifying for state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer consistent with the definition in 42 U.S.C. 3796b, or as a fire police officer as noted above; or
• Other documentation from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the occupation of the parent or guardian.