We’ve supported 3,800 students. And we’re not done yet.

With respect for donor intent, all funds received are to be distributed as stated in the Families of Freedom Fund® Declaration.

CITIZENS’ SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

Declaration Establishing the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund

Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America* (“CSFA”), a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation, hereby establishes a separate fund of CSFA that shall be known and designated as the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund (the “Fund”).

The Fund shall be held and administered on the following terms:

1. The purpose of the Fund is to provide education assistance for postsecondary study to financially needy dependents of those people killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and during the rescue activities relating to those attacks.

2. As parts of the Fund and in addition to the general Fund, CSFA shall maintain separate sub-funds primarily to benefit dependents of the following groups of victims for the purpose described in paragraph 1: (a) airplane crew and passengers, (b) World Trade Center workers and visitors, (c) Pentagon workers and visitors, and (d) rescue workers, including firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and law enforcement personnel. In granting assistance from each such sub-fund, CSFA shall give preference to dependents of the group of victims for which that sub-fund is named. CSFA may establish additional sub-funds from time to time.

3. All determinations of compliance with eligibility criteria, financial need, and award amounts shall be made by CSFA in its discretion. CSFA may develop such additional criteria, limitations and administrative procedures for the Fund as it determines are desirable and consistent with the purpose set forth in paragraph 1.

4. Assistance from the Fund must be used to defray costs of undergraduate education at accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools based in the United States.

5. The assets of the Fund, including income and principal, shall be used for the purposes described in paragraphs 1, 2, and 8.

6. CSFA may in its discretion accept contributions to the Fund from any individual, corporation, or other source.

7. Assets of the Fund may be commingled for purpose of investment with other assets of CSFA.

8. CSFA may from time to time make a charge to income of the Fund in an amount reasonably calculated to reimburse CSFA’s direct and indirect costs incurred in the administration of the Fund.

9. The Board of Directors of CSFA may redirect any excess assets of the Fund or any sub-fund to support other postsecondary education scholarship programs of CSFA, upon the good faith determination of at least two-thirds of the directors that the need for the type of assistance described in paragraphs 1 and 2 above has been met, or can with reasonable certainty be met, with less than all of the assets of the Fund or sub-fund. In any event, any assets remaining in the Fund as of December 31, 2030, may thereafter be used by CSFA to support other postsecondary education scholarship programs.

Dated as of the 17th day of September, 2001.
CITIZENS’ SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
By William C. Nelsen, President

* Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of America changed its name in January of 2003 to Scholarship America.

The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial assistance for even the youngest children of 9/11 victims—the last of whom will be attending college in 2030.

For the 2023/24 academic year, the percentage of financial need to be paid will be 60%. NOTE: The percentage of need fluctuates each year based upon our annual actuarial study.

We remain committed to working to leverage and maximize all elements in the Fund and make the most generous award levels possible to students. Last year, the Fund awarded $2.6 million to 147 students across our nation.

The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is managed by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship administrator. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Scholarship America has administered the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund at cost since its inception.

Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $5.4 billion to more than 3.1 million students. Scholarship America is a Charity Navigator 4-Star Charity and has earned a Platinum Seal from Candid and an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy’s CharityWatch.