Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This FAQ section is divided into two sections; one addressing general questions about the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund^®, and another addressing issues most pertinent to eligible families.

General Questions

What is the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund?
The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund (Families of Freedom) was created to provide education assistance for post-secondary study to dependents of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and during the rescue activities relating to those attacks. Families of Freedom was established within one week of 9/11 by the Lumina Foundation for Education and Scholarship America^®.

Who is eligible?
Eligible participants are dependents of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and during the rescue activities relating to those attacks. Specifically, Families of Freedom benefits children and spouses of the victims, including airplane crew and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers and visitors, and relief workers, including firefighters and emergency medical personnel and law enforcement personnel. Participants must enroll in a course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school based in the United States.

How can victims’ families apply for scholarships?
To inquire about eligibility or apply for education assistance, victims’ families may call 1-800-537-4180, or e-mail familiesoffreedom@scholarshipamerica.org.

How much money has been raised for Families of Freedom?
More than $125 million was raised in cash or commitments for Families of Freedom. In January 2002, the first scholarships were awarded to eligible students. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is expected to continue through 2030.

What role did President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole play with Families of Freedom?
President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Bob Dole joined together to spearhead the campaign fund effort. Clinton and Dole energized the campaign on Saturday, September 29, 2001, with a press conference and a public service announcement broadcast nationwide, provoking a groundswell of goodwill from the international community – from grassroots support to events to cause-related marketing campaigns. Clinton and Dole served as co-chairs of the campaign fund effort until the fundraising goal of $100 million was reached on September 4, 2002, signaling the end of the active fundraising campaign.

Is Scholarship America still actively fundraising for the Families of Freedom?
No, Scholarship America stopped actively fundraising on September 4, 2002, the day the $100 million goal was reached. Because more monies were since collected over the goal, a greater portion of students’ financial needs can be met.

How much will Scholarship America charge for its scholarship management services?
Scholarship America charges direct and indirect costs only, rather than charging a management fee. Scholarship America will make absolutely no profit from the program. One hundred percent of all contributions to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund will support eligible students. The majority of interest earned on the dollars will go to recipients; Scholarship America will recover its costs from a portion of the interest. Scholarship America's overall general administration costs are in the single digits, typically five percent or less.

How does Scholarship America contact eligible families to let them know about this program?
Scholarship America has worked with appropriate government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, known employers, and family groups of victims to compile a list of potentially eligible participants. Scholarship America communicates annually with eligible families to maintain contact and to ensure they know about the available education assistance for post-secondary education.

How does Scholarship America define financial need?
In general terms, financial need is determined by what a family can reasonably be expected to pay compared to the cost of the post-secondary institution. Awards are based on a percentage of calculated financial need, not a percentage of the total school or college expenses. For more detailed information on the financial need formula, click here. A detailed summary of our annual actuarial studies can be found here and is updated yearly.

How will the overall investment pool for the Fund be handled?
The Families of Freedom Scholarship funds are managed and overseen by Scholarship America and its Board of Trustees and Investment Committee. The Board of Trustees and Investment Committee meet three times annually and more frequently when required.

What if there are funds left over?
Scholarship America firmly believes that all funds will be awarded to students and will adjust the percentage of need covered accordingly in order to distribute the entire amount through the year 2030. According to the Fund Declaration, the Board of Directors of Scholarship America may redirect any excess assets of the Fund to support other post-secondary education scholarship programs of Scholarship America on the good faith determination of at least two-thirds of the directors that the needs of the victims' dependents have been met, or can with reasonable certainty be met with less than all of the assets of the Fund. In any event, any assets remaining in the Fund as of December 31, 2030, may be used by Scholarship America to support other post-secondary education scholarship programs for needy students.

What is Scholarship America?
Co-founder of Families of Freedom, Scholarship America is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit private sector scholarship and educational support organizations. Scholarship America carries out its mission to expand access to education through its three major programs: Dollars for Scholars, Scholarship Management Services and ScholarShop. When Scholarship America created Families of Freedom, the organization was known as Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America before shortening its name on January 1, 2003. For more information, please visit www.scholarshipamerica.org.

What is Lumina Foundation?
Co-founder of Families of Freedom, Lumina Foundation for Education, Indianapolis, IN, is a private, independent foundation that strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to an education beyond high school. Lumina Foundation for Education pledged the initial $3 million to create Families of Freedom - $1 million directly to the scholarship fund and $2 million as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to encourage contributions from individuals. The $2 million matching grant was met on December 18, 2001. For more information visit: www.luminafoundation.org.

For Students and Eligible Families

Is Scholarship America still accepting applications?
Yes, Scholarship America continues to receive and accept applications. All eligible dependents are encouraged to register, whether or not they plan to pursue post-secondary education next semester or several years later. To register, call toll free at 1-877-862-0136. Families of Freedom Scholarships will be available through the year 2030.

What does Scholarship America consider when determining the scholarship amount a student will receive each year?
In order to provide the most help possible, a more generous formula is applied to determine a student’s financial need than the formula employed by most college financial aid offices.  For example, Scholarship America does not factor in student earnings, value of family residence, retirement fund, 9/11-related insurance proceeds, nontaxable income, Victim’s Compensation payments or $500,000 of savings or other liquid assets.

Why does the scholarship amount received each year change?
Award amounts may change yearly based on changes in family finances, changes in tuition rates and current projections. The initial fundraising goal of $100 million was intended to cover about 65 percent of the financial need for all eligible students through 2030. However, because more dollars were raised - $125 million - and fewer than projected eligible individuals have registered, 90 percent of financial need is currently being funded. The percentage of financial need awarded may fluctuate depending on the actual number of eligible individuals registered, cost of higher education, investment earnings, and the amount of funds available over time. A detailed summary of our annual actuarial studies can be found here and is updated yearly.

Can I get reimbursed retroactively for expenses I paid?
Although conditions may change over time, including the percentage of financial need covered, Scholarship America cannot make retroactive payments to past recipients. Families of Freedom Scholarships are not provided to repay past student loans.

Are parents or siblings eligible for Families of Freedom Scholarship?
Parents and siblings of victims are not eligible for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund unless they can provide documentation of financial dependency on the victim.

Can I use Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to go to graduate or professional school?
Yes, students have up to four years of eligibility and limited funds are available for graduate study. Dependent children generally use their four years of eligibility for undergraduate study. A number of spouses have attended graduate school with Families of Freedom Scholarships.

How long is a spouse or partner eligible for Families of Freedom?
Spouses may make first application for funds for undergraduate or graduate study through the year 2012. They will have a total of four years or the equivalent in which to receive assistance.

Can funds be used for private or parochial elementary or secondary school?
No, Families of Freedom Scholarships are available for post-secondary study or the equivalent. Families of Freedom does not provide scholarships for elementary or secondary school.

If I received funds from Scholarship America for an undergraduate degree, can I also receive funds for graduate school?
Dependent children generally use their four years of eligibility for undergraduate study. Funds for graduate study may be provided as long as the students has not used the full years of eligibility and funds for graduate study remain available.

How can I be sure there will be money in the fund for my children who were very young on 9/11?
Scholarship America reviews the amount in the Fund annually and using actuarial studies makes the necessary adjustments to ensure that the entire amount will be awarded to victims’ families as scholarships by December 31, 2030. An independent actuarial firm, The Stanton Group, provided studies in May 2002, July 2004, and July 2005, which estimated the amount of total funds that would be required to address the needs of eligible families at that time. These actuarial estimates are based on any growth in tuition rates, inflation, the number of eligible individuals registered with the program, and the total number of years over which the fund must be available. Scholarship America will continue to commission these studies.

Is Families of Freedom based on grades?
No, students’ grades are not criteria in determining their eligibility or value of scholarship award.

How does Families of Freedom augment the NY State Scholarship?
Students who take advantage of the New York State legislation that provides generous scholarships for those who attend New York schools may show need for additional financial assistance, depending on the cost of the college they choose to attend. Students who receive New York State funding should also apply for Families of Freedom Scholarships.

Why can't students know in advance how much money they will receive before applying to college?
Several factors are considered in determining the scholarship amount for each individual. The primary factors include cost of college and expected family contribution and the resulting financial need. Scholarship amounts are based on financial need. The college choice must be known in order to determine costs. Family circumstances may change over time; therefore, the financial need is determined at the time the student is planning to enroll in college.

How does a person with a disability prove their disability? Are the children of the disabled covered by Families of Freedom?
Dependents of persons who were permanently disabled as a result of 9/11 events are eligible to participate in the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund program. Instructions for proving disability are provided on the registration form. A physician's statement is required.

Why is income included in determining how much students receive?
The Fund Declaration for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund states that scholarships will be awarded to dependents who are "financially needy." Income is a primary factor in looking at the family's or individual's financial condition.

How does the Victims Compensation Fund affect my payout from Scholarship America?
The Victims Compensation Fund payment is not viewed as a liquid asset (funds available to use for education - such as savings and stocks). Victims Compensation Fund payments may be invested and earn interest income that is reported as income when filing the federal tax return. The interest income may affect the adjusted gross income that is used in the financial calculations.

How many classes does an adult returning to school have to take in order to qualify for Families of Freedom?
An adult returning to school is not required to take any specific number of classes. All dependents may enroll part-time or full-time. A dependent may receive assistance for a maximum of four years of college. Students who enroll part-time may receive assistance for the equivalent of four years (for example, two semesters at part-time equals one semester at full-time). Limited funds are available for graduate school.

How does Scholarship America define "savings" in its calculations?
Savings refers to liquid assets - savings accounts, CDs, stocks - that can be used for education expenses. Retirement funds are excluded.

Can Families of Freedom Scholarships be used at schools outside the United States?
Yes, students have the opportunity to attend any accredited post-secondary school (four-year college, two-year college, vocational-technical school, trade school) they choose, including those outside the United States.