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NYS Memorial Scholarship for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Workers

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)

The NYS Memorial Scholarship is a financial aid given to dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. The program provides a full tuition, non-tuition and residence cost to help the awardee to pursue a post-secondary education at an institution in New York.

Key Information

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age/Grade Level:
    The applicant must have graduated from high school, have earned a high school equivalency diploma earned through passing a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) formally known as a GED, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
  • Financial Need:
    Not Mentioned
  • Other Academic Requirements:
    The awardee must be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester.
  • School:
    Applicant must have graduated from high school in the United States.
  • College:
    The awardee must study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State.
  • Miscellaneous:
    The scholarship is open to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. Peace Officers are defined in the criminal procedures law and include many categories including New York State Correction Officers. The applicant must not be in default on any State or federal student loan or on any repayment of state awards.
  • Other Benefits:
    The award covers up to four years of full-time undergraduate study (or five years in an approved five-year bachelor's degree program) and includes the following components:Non-tuition Costs: These include room and board and allowances for books, supplies and transportation up to the average cost at SUNY Colleges. The Commissioner of Education sets the non-tuition cost allowances each year.Residence: A student living on campus will receive a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student. If housing is not available for students on campus they will receive the same allowance as students living on campus.

Application Details

  • Transcript:
    Not required
  • Resume/Activity List:
    Not required
  • Other Materials:
    Current New York State residents Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and TAP on the Web application. FAFSA and TAP applications and instructions are available at www.hesc.ny.gov.

Contact Information