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Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship (CFHS)

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Eligibility Requirements:

Under this scholarship, beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be:

  1. Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC greater than zero, 
  2. Less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. 

For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a public safety officer is:

  • As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b) See page 2 for definitions; or 
  • A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.

Proof of Eligibility

The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship requires student coordination with the institution’s financial aid administrator (FAA) to determine and document eligibility.

  • A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice; 
  • A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer as defined above; 
  • Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer consistent with the definition in 42 U.S.C. 3796b, or as a fire police officer as noted above; or 
  • Other documentation from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the occupation of the parent or guardian. 

How to Certify Eligibility

Contact the Financial Aid Department by emailing [email protected] with CFHS in the subject line or call 931-393-1553 to coordinate on providing the required information and documentation for determining eligibility.

As Defined in section 1204(9) of Title 1 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

‘‘Public safety officer’’ means— 

  1. an individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, as a firefighter, or as a chaplain;
  2. an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who is performing official duties of the Agency in an area, if those official duties—
    1. are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later, declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); and
    2. are determined by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be hazardous duties;
  3. an employee of a State, local, or tribal emergency management or civil defense agency who is performing official duties in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in an area, if those official duties—
    1. are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later, declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); and
    2. are determined by the head of the agency to be hazardous duties; or
  4. a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew who, as authorized or licensed by law and by the applicable agency or entity, is engaging in rescue activity or in the provision of emergency medical services.

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