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Family Benefits

Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Scholarship

When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, the family must adjust to life without their loved one, who often was the primary financial provider. Many grieving spouses are left to care for children without adequate financial assistance. To support their families, they may need additional job skills or education. Children left without a parent need to know they still have a chance to attain their educational dreams.

In 1992, the U. S. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Our mission is to honor all fallen firefighters and to assist their families in rebuilding their lives. One way we do this is by offering spouses, partners, and children the opportunity to pursue their personal, educational and career goals through the Foundation’s scholarship programs.

Spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial are eligible to apply for assistance. Scholarships are awarded for undergraduate and graduate studies, vocational-technical training, and certification and job training programs. They may be used for study at in state or out-of-state public and private schools.

More: Browse All Scholarship Information

Since 1997, the Foundation and its partners have awarded 1,546 scholarships totaling $5,269,223 to spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters. Fields of study for the recipients have ranged from Accounting to Auto Mechanics, and from Fire Science to Elementary Education.

Eligibility Requirements

Award Criteria

Scholarship Application Checklist

Applications must be submitted by March 1.

Sample FAFSA® Student Aid Report

Terms of Awards