First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by First Responders Children's Foundation

Overview Our Scholarship Program exists to help the children of first responders pursue their educational goals. Beyond the financial award, recipients join a Scholars Council — a peer group connected to working professionals, mentors, and partner organizations who can offer guidance, networking, and support. How the awards work - Scholarships are awarded for a single academic year. The number of awards changes from year to year. - Decisions are based on financial need, academic merit, and demonstrated accomplishments such as leadership, excellence in the arts or sports, and volunteer service to the community. - Scholarships may be renewed for up to four years total. Renewal depends on available funds, continued financial need, and the student’s academic record. - Scholarship recipients must reapply each year and remain active in the Scholars Council and responsive to Foundation communications to be eligible for renewal. Eligibility (summary) To qualify, an applicant must meet all of the following: - Relationship to a first responder: Be the biological, adopted, or step-child of an active or retired police officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, or 911 dispatcher. - Timing rules for children of deceased or permanently disabled first responders: - If the eligible first responder is deceased or has a total and permanent disability, applicants who are a biological child must have been conceived before that death or disability. - Adopted children must have had the adoption process initiated before the scholarship application date. If the first responder is deceased or permanently disabled, the adoption process must have begun before the death or disability. - Stepchildren must be listed as a dependent on the eligible first responder’s federal and state income tax returns. If the first responder is deceased or permanently disabled, the applicant must have been listed as a dependent in the tax years immediately prior to the death or disability. - Enrollment and institution: Be enrolled full time for the entire academic year in an accredited U.S. college, university, or technical/vocational school that participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs. - Academic standards: - Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or 80/100 equivalency), as documented by the institution’s Office of the Registrar. - Be making satisfactory academic progress toward completing the chosen program, as defined by the academic institution. - Citizenship/residency: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and attend school in the United States. - Exclusions: Current officers, employees, and immediate family members of the First Responders Children’s Foundation are not eligible to apply. Other important points - Recipients must reapply each year; receiving an award one year does not guarantee automatic renewal. - Renewal eligibility can require active participation in Scholar Council events and timely responses to the Foundation’s required communications and outreach. If you want, I can help you turn this into a checklist for applicants or a one-page flyer for the classroom. Which would be most useful?