Eligibility Criteria

  • Student must be an undergraduate
  • Student must be the child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while either (a) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer
  • Must be less than 33 years old as of the January 1 prior to the award year for which the applicant is applying
  • Student must complete the FAFSA annually and indicate on the FAFSA that they have a parent or guardian who was killed in the line of duty
  • Student must provide documentation to confirm eligibility
  • Award is renewable as long as the student is enrolled

Award Value

Student will receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award (amount varies by academic year and enrollment). All other financial aid will be based on the student’s calculated SAI.

Required Documentation

  • A copy of student’s birth certificate

AND one of the following:

  • A copy of the service member’s DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) which documents death in the line of duty
  • A copy of the service member’s DD Form 214 and death certificate, documenting that the date and cause of death occurred during and as a result of active duty
  • A Department of Veterans Affairs Death Narrative Document
  • 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
  • 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
  • Other documentation the school determines to be from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the eligible occupation of the parent or guardian