Helpful Resources for Students and Families.
For students and families impacted by 9/11, we’ve collected valuable resources from credible sources.
If you still have questions, get in touch.
Other 9/11 Funds
In addition to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, a number of other scholarship funds were established to provide postsecondary education assistance for 9/11 families. Below you’ll find a listing of funds that are currently available.
(Please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive and is subject to change. If you have updates to the list, contact info@familiesoffreedom.org and let us know!)
Featured Scholarship
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation:
New York State World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Program
Initiated by George E. Pataki, Governor of New York, the legislated New York State World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Program guarantees a college education to all families of those killed or seriously and permanently disabled in the 9/11 terrorist attacks at all SUNY and CUNY schools, or an equivalent amount of aid for students attending private colleges in New York State.
Contact Information:
1-888-697-4372
Press * and ask for Scholarship Unit
www.hesc.ny.gov
-
Memorial and Other Funds Managed by Scholarship America Scholarship America manages and administers the following Memorial and Other Funds that provide assistance for postsecondary education for 9/11 families. These Funds are managed and administered separately from the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund and have separate eligibility criteria.
Except where noted, application for assistance from these Funds requires an application that is different from the application used for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. Eligible applicants should call 1-800-537-4180 or email scholarships@scholarshipamerica.org to learn more.
Memorial Funds
The Abraham Zelmanowitz-Edward Beyea Memorial Scholarship Fund
Provides scholarships for the children of Empire BlueCross BlueShield employees and the children of Empire BlueCross BlueShield consultants who died on 9/11.
The Firefighter Michael Paul Ragusa Memorial Scholarship Fund
Provides scholarships for the children of firefighters employed by various named New York City fire companies who survived the events of 9/11.
Calyon Financial Inc. World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship Fund (formerly Carr Futures, Inc.)
Provides financial assistance for the education of the children of Carr Futures, Inc. employees or temporary workers killed on 9/11.
The September 11, 2001 American Express Employees Memorial Scholarship Program
Provides scholarships for children of American Express employees killed on 9/11.
Other Funds
CFA Institute September 11 Memorial Scholarship Program
Students must be registered and eligible with the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to be eligible for the CFA Institute September 11 Memorial Scholarship Program
CFA Institute and The Research Foundation of CFA Institute have established a scholarship program to assist permanently disabled victims of the 9/11 attacks and dependent children, spouses and domestic partners of those persons who died or were permanently disabled as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks, who plan to pursue education in college or vocational school programs now or in the future. Scholarships are offered each year for part-time or full-time study for finance, economics, accounting or business ethics majors at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations, unusual personal or family circumstances, and an outside appraisal.
Financial need as calculated by Scholarship America must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award. If selected, the student will receive an award of up to $25,000, depending on financial need. Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are for undergraduate study only, and are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender or disability.
-
Funds Operated By Outside Organizations Citizens throughout America stepped forward and donated funds to many relief efforts in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. The establishment of scholarship funds was one means of providing such relief and assistance. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund and its subfunds provide one national source of postsecondary scholarship assistance for the dependents of 9/11 victims. The funds below provide other sources. Note that these funds are not administered by Scholarship America or associated with the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, and are listed here simply as a resource for families who may be seeking additional aid opportunities. Please contact these funds directly for more information.
The 9/11 Promise Organization
The 9/11 Promise Organization raises scholarship funds for the children of fallen and/or injured First Responders and Military Service Members who can no longer hold employment due to their injuries (including PTSD). The 9/11 Promise Organization raise funds through the 9/11 Promise Run & Bike. This is a journey of remembering those lives lost on 9/11, honoring those who gave fearlessly that day, and to those who continue to fight for our communities and country.
Contact information:
703-969-1062
www.the911promise.org/charity
Aon Memorial Education Fund
This scholarship program is for dependent children of Aon employees who were killed in the September 11 World Trade Center attacks.
Contact information/application:
(312) 381-3551
beth.gallagher@aon.com
Website: Aon Memorial Scholarship
BJA Public Safety Officers Benefits Program (PSOB)
A unique effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations, PSOB provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.
Contact information:
888-744-6513
psob.bja.ojp.gov
City of Berlin Scholarship funded by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation
This scholarship is for children born between 1986 and June 2002 whose parent was killed or permanently disabled as a direct result of the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001. This program is for study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States leading to an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. This scholarship is funded by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation.
Contact information:
718-643-0980
Visit the City of Berlin Scholarship website for complete program details.
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
This scholarship is for children and surviving spouses of active members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. Please visit the Fry Scholarship website for complete program details and contact information.
Michael Lynch Memorial Scholarship
The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation provides scholarships to high school seniors and college students who are dependents of New York City firefighters or victims of the September 11 attacks. Scholarships are awarded to students attending a full-time undergraduate program.
Contact information/application:
mlmf.scholarships@mlynch.org
Application is available on the Michael Lynch Memorial Scholarship website.
The Needham September 11th Scholarship Fund
Needham & Company, LLC provides scholarships to benefit children of victims who passed away on September 11, 2001 in New York City. Scholarships are awarded to families whose gross income did not exceed $125,000 prior to the September 11 tragedy. Scholarships are awarded for students attending an accredited private high school, college, or university.
Contact information/application:
(212) 705-0293
Application is available on the Needham Scholarship website.
New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship
This scholarship benefits dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed in or who died as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Contact information/application:
1-800-792-8670
Application is available on the HESAA website.
New York University
New York University is one of the largest private research universities in the country and is located in the heart of New York City. Renowned for academic excellence, the college offers an extensive curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences as well as pre-professional study in law, medicine, and dentistry. NYU’s September 11 Scholarship fund was established by Martin Lipton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NYU, to support the undergraduate education of the spouses and children of uniformed fire, police, and emergency workers who were killed in the September 11, 2001 tragedy at the World Trade Center. This scholarship supports tuition, registration fees, and room and board.
Contact information:
Natasha Bean
(212) 998-4491.
natasha.bean@nyu.edu
Visit the NYU September 11 Scholarship Fund website.
Patrick Sean Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship program honors Patrick Murphy who was killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Patrick was an alumni of the University of Virginia. This scholarship program is for 3rd and 4th year students attending the University of Virginia.
Contact information/application:
(434) 243-9019
mcb7k@virginia.edu
Website: Patrick Sean Murphy Memorial Scholarship
Rutgers September 11th Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for dependent children of New Jersey residents, whose parent lost their lives on September 11 as a direct result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or the airplane crash in Pennsylvania. Scholarships are awarded to full-time undergraduate students who are planning to attend Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Contact information:
scholarship_inquiry@ofa.rutgers.edu
Application is available on the Rutgers September 11th Memorial website.
September 11, 2001 Scholarship (University of Virginia)
This scholarship program has been established to benefit children who lost a parent as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The scholarship program is for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year students attending the University of Virginia.
Contact information/application:
(434) 243-9019
mcb7k@virginia.edu
Website: September 11, 2001 Scholarship
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Liberty Scholarship and Keck Foundation Family Aid Scholarship
The Liberty Scholarship is the commitment of the thirty-nine UNCF members to provide full scholarship support for the children of victims who were killed or permanently disabled as a result of the 9/11 tragedy. The UNCF/Keck Foundation Family Aid Scholarship was launched by the United Negro College Fund and the W.M. Keck Foundation to provide financial support for students affected by the economic impact of the September 11th tragedy who attend private historically black colleges and universities.
Contact information:
703-205-3538
www.uncf.org