Scholarships for First Responders and Their Families

Updated on July 9, 2024

First responders, including firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and police officers, courageously dedicate themselves to safeguarding communities. Despite their altruistic service, the salaries of these public servants may not be much, leading to financial hurdles in pursuing quality education for themselves or their families. This can create a sense of unattainability when considering higher education. Nevertheless, the unwavering support and gratitude from communities towards these heroes persist.

Luckily, both regional and national programs offer scholarships specifically for first responders and their families. Here are some of the more well-known opportunities that can help with college expenses.

Note: This article provides a basic description for each of the listed scholarships. Please see the scholarship provider’s website for full application and eligibility requirements. This is a list to help you get started. This list does not include all scholarships available for first responders and their families.

CONTENTS

Youth Scholarship Program
Law Enforcement Family Member Scholarship
Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship
America’s 9/11 Scholarship Foundation
First Responders Children’s Foundation
Operation Thank an Officer
Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
Local Scholarships

Youth Scholarship Program

The Electronic Security Association (ESA) offers multiple scholarships for the children of firefighters and police officers on active duty; first place is $7,500, and second place is $2,500. This is a merit-based scholarship and does require an essay to be considered.

Law Enforcement Family Member Scholarship

Awarded annually to one student from the Law Offices of Fales & Fales, P.A, this scholarship is either for a family member or dependent of an active duty, retired, or fallen law enforcement officer, and it carries a $1,000 benefit. This is an opportunity for an undergraduate students, or a graduate student enrolled in an accredited law school.

Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship

Offered by the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA), the Phillip L Turner Fire Protection Scholarship is awarded to a full-time college sophomore, junior or senior enrolled in a four-year Fire Protection or Fire Administration degree, or a full-time graduate student enrolled in a Fire Protection Engineering or Administration master’s degree program. The one-time award gives the student a $5,000 scholarship if he or she meets additional criteria and is selected.

America’s 9/11 Scholarship Foundation

Intended to honor first responders who worked tirelessly during the nation’s tragedy, this scholarship is for children of first responders. If you have financial need, you will be asked to provide additional information. This opportunity requires an essay and verification of the student’s relationship with and status of the first responder. Up to 15 awards of $2,000 are given annually.

First Responders Children’s Foundation

With a scholarship from this organization, a student who is a child of a first responder can receive up to a maximum of $6,250 a year. Priority is given to children who lost a parent in the line of duty. Applicants will be evaluated based on academic merit, financial hardship, and other achievements. Scholarship recipients may be able to renew annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Operation Thank an Officer

This organization offers several scholarships to both high school and college students. These scholarship opportunities each have their own criteria for eligibility. Some scholarships will either require you to have a parent in law enforcement, or be a child who lost a parent who served in law enforcement, while others are designated for pursuing a career path in law enforcement. Each of the awards is $1,000 and does require an essay.

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

This is a $15,000 stipend opportunity. This prize is given to a college senior who would like to devote a year to public service anywhere in the world before beginning a graduate program or career. This stipend requires a written proposal for your public service project, including a budget which details how you will use your funds. While not strictly for first responders, this award could be given to an individual who plans to go into that field after graduation.

Local Scholarships

In addition to scholarships on the national level, many states, counties, and local municipalities also offer programs to help members of their communities who are first responders or their children. Do a scholarship search locally. These opportunities may have fewer applicants and be less competitive than national scholarships.