First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarships

For the past 20 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to hundreds of children of first responders. First priority is given to applicants with first responder parents who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. Scholarships provide a maximum award of $6,250 for a single academic year. Awards are based on financial need, academic merit, and achievements such as demonstrated leadership, excellence in the arts or sports, and/or volunteer activities benefiting the community. The number of scholarships awarded varies from year to year. Scholarships may be renewed annually up to a maximum of four years depending on the availability of funds, the applicant’s financial need, and the recipient’s academic record. The annual application deadline is May 31, and applications are accepted at any time by mail, email, online, or through any combination of those.

Annual Amount

Scholarships provide a maximum award of $6,250 for a single academic year

Additional Selection Criteria

Eligibility
The applicant must be the child of a first responder (biological, adopted, or step-child).

An applicant who is the child of a deceased first responder must have been conceived prior to the death or total and permanent disability of the eligible first responder.

An applicant who is an adopted child must have been adopted by the eligible first responder prior to, or the adoption process must have begun prior to, the date of the death or total and permanent disability.

An applicant who is a stepchild must have been listed as a dependent on the eligible first responder’s federal and state income tax returns in the income tax years immediately prior to the death or total and permanent disability.

Candidates must be pursuing their first Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or Certificate at any accredited college, university or technical/vocational institution in the United States that participates in the federal financial aid programs offered through the U.S. Department of Education.

Candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student during the entire academic year.

Candidate must maintain a 2.7 out of a 4.0 grade point average, or the equivalent as documented by the Office of the Registrar at the academic institution.

Candidate must be making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their program as defined and documented by the academic institution.

Candidate must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States attending school in the United States.

Current First Responders Children’s Foundation officers and employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Application form.

• Transcript including cumulative GPA.
• Proof of full-time enrollment.
• Evidence of honors, leadership positions, volunteer activities, and other achievements.
• Personal statement not exceeding 700 words summarizing personal and professional achievements and career goals.
  
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (i.e. birth certificate, naturalization papers or valid U.S. passport).
• Letters of recommendation from up to three individuals which can include an academic reference, a personal reference, and a reference from the first responder’s employer.
• A copy of the candidate’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• A copy of the candidate’s Student Aid Report (SAR).
• Proof of first responder parent active duty, death, or disability.
• A copy of the candidate’s tuition bill (or an estimate of the amount of tuition if the bill is not yet available).
• A copy of the financial aid award letter from the school.

RENEWAL APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Award recipients may be eligible to apply for a renewal of their scholarship for up to three subsequent years of their continuing undergraduate program for a total of four years of awards. To be eligible for a renewal, applicant must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or greater and must provide the following items in their annual renewal request submission by May 31:

• Application form.
• Documentation that applicant is making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their degree as defined and documented by the academic institution.
• Transcript including the most recent cumulative GPA.
• Proof of full-time enrollment for the upcoming semester.
• No personal statement is required, but you can submit an optional short statement summarizing the impact of prior
• First Responders Children’s Foundation scholarship awards, the importance of this scholarship toward achieving academic goals, and achievements and accomplishments since receiving the last scholarship award.
• A copy of the candidate’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• A copy of the candidate’s Student Aid Report (SAR).
• A copy of the candidate’s tuition bill and financial aid award letter from the school.

Deadline

May 31, 2020

For the application or more information go to:
https://1strcf.org/general-scholarships/