First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarships

Our Scholarship Program helps children of first responders achieve their goals through scholarships and a powerful community network.

Each recipient is a member of our Scholars Council, a group of peers and working professionals connected to a broader community of supportive mentors and partner organizations!

First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarship Application 2025-2026

Introduction

For the past 24 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has awarded college scholarships to children of first responders.

Description

Scholarships are awarded 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 for up to four years depending on the availability of funds, the applicant’s financial need, and the recipient’s academic record.

Priority is generally given to students whose first responder parent has suffered a line-of-duty disability or line-of-duty death and demonstrate the greatest financial need.

Documents:

All applicants must have:

• Current transcript with a 2.7 minimum GPA
• 2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary
• Resume or list of achievements
• Current picture

New applicants must also have:

• Proof of United States residency or permanent citizenship (no driver's license)
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher or professor
• Picture of parent’s first responder ID/proof of employment

Eligibility

• Citizenship: United States
• Grade Level: Undergrad, Graduate

Selection Criteria

• Applicant must be the biological, adopted or step-child of a police officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic or 911 dispatcher.
• Applicants who are 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.
• Applicants who are an adopted child must have had the adoption process begun prior to the date of scholarship application submission. If the first responder is deceased or has total and permanent disability, the adoption process must have started prior to the death or total and permanent disability.
• Applicants who are a stepchild 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 has total and permanent disability, the applicant must be listed as a dependent in the income tax years immediately prior to the death or total and permanent disability.
• Applicant must be pursuing a bachelor’s, associate’s, certificate, graduate or law degree 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.
• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student during the entire academic year.
• Applicant must have and maintain a 2.7 out of a 4.0 grade point average (80 out of 100 point scale), or the equivalent as documented by the Office of the Registrar at their academic institution.
• Applicant must be making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their program as defined and documented by the academic institution.
• Applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and 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.
• Scholarship recipients must reapply for their scholarship each year.
• Scholarship recipients are eligible to reapply and receive a scholarship for up to four years maximum.
• Scholarships are remitted directly to the student’s school, and as such, can only be applied to the tuition and room and board bills. In the event that there is no balance towards which to apply the scholarship, the funds will be returned to the Foundation.