Apply for All NFFF Scholarships with One Application
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and its partners are committed to supporting Fire Hero Families through educational assistance. Whether you are pursuing a degree, certification, or vocational training, our scholarship programs are designed to help you achieve your goals.
The best part? There is only one application process for all NFFF scholarship opportunities. By submitting a single application, you will automatically be considered for all eligible scholarships. We encourage you to take advantage of this streamlined process to access the support you deserve on your educational journey.
Scholarship Application Checklist
- Along with your FAFSA® Student Aid Index, your Gross Family Income must be included on the application form. This information helps us assess your financial need. Please ensure that firefighter pensions or line-of-duty death benefits are not included in the reported income.
- Photo (.jpg or .png) or PDF of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Student Aid Index (SAI) – not required, but strongly recommended
- Photo (.jpg or .png) or PDF of official transcript
- A letter of recommendation from a member of the fire service. If it is not possible to provide a letter from a member of the fire service, please e-mail a statement explaining why to Eric Nagle at [email protected]. If you do not have a letter from a member of the fire service, you must submit a second letter from another source.
- Two letters of recommendation are required to complete your application: one from a member of the fire service and one from a former or current teacher or employer. If it is not possible to provide a letter from a member of the fire service, you must submit a second letter from another source and email a statement explaining why to Eric Nagle at [email protected]. Please note that applications cannot be submitted until both letters of recommendation are uploaded. Additionally, please ensure you follow up with your recommenders to verify they have submitted your letters of recommendation before March 1.
Applications must be submitted by March 1.
Sample FAFSA® Student Aid Index
Spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial are eligible to apply for the NFFF Sarbanes Scholarship Program and our partner programs. The NFFF Sarbanes 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.
The Alan Patrick Sondej Memorial Scholarship Fund is the first NFFF scholarship fund that is designed to provide scholarships that satisfy the full four year cost of college tuition and books. The Sondej scholarship is awarded on an annual basis and is available to students pursuing a major in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
The Kenneth M. Hedrick Memorial Scholarship Fund is the second National Fallen Firefighters Foundation scholarship fund that is designed to provide scholarships that satisfy the full four year cost of college tuition and books. Awards are based on an evaluation of academic achievement and financial need and are available to students pursuing a major in the field of public safety.
Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund supports the educational pursuits of spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, providing financial assistance to deserving students studying in the field of public safety. Through this scholarship, the program honors the legacy of Sander Cohen and his dedication to supporting the families of fallen firefighters.
Our Scholarship Partners
Several organizations partner with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to provide educational assistance to families of fallen firefighters. Family members who apply for the Foundation scholarship program may also be eligible for awards from these organizations.
Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation Memorial Scholarship Fund provides educational scholarships, particularly focused on science, technology, engineering or math, to children, stepchildren and spouses of firefighters who died in the line of duty and are honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
MissionSquare Retirement
The MissionSquare Retirement Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to the surviving children and spouses of employees who have died in the line of duty and are planning to attend an accredited two-year community college, four-year accredited university, or vocational school full-time.
OmniShield
The Global Health & Safety Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund offers annual financial assistance for higher education and training to families of firefighters honored at the National Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
National Association of State Fire Marshals
The National Association of State Fire Marshals John Heinz Memorial Scholarship Fund provides educational scholarships to the surviving children and spouses of fallen firefighters and emergency medical personnel, and who died in the line of duty on or after September 12, 1982, and qualified under the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.
Fire Engine Five Charitable Foundation
The Fire Engine Five Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, has been formed to raise money and award funds for scholarships for the children of our fallen fire heroes. The Fire Engine Five Charitable Foundation awards scholarships with additional funds through the Terry Manning and David Edwards Memorial Scholarships.
Chief Elwood Banister Memorial Foundation
Formed in 2021, the Chief Elwood Banister Memorial Foundation honors the memory of Chief Banister and his decades of leadership and service to the Baltimore County Fire Department. The mission of the Foundation includes supporting those interested in joining the fire service through scholarships.
