When a firefighter makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, their family is left to navigate immense challenges while trying to rebuild their lives. For many children and spouses of these heroes, financial barriers can make pursuing educational or career aspirations difficult. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) addresses this need through our scholarship programs, helping the loved ones of fallen firefighters achieve their educational goals and honor their dreams.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation offers a streamlined application process for all scholarship opportunities, allowing applicants to be automatically considered for every scholarship they are eligible for by submitting a single application. These scholarships—including the Paul Sarbanes Scholarship Program, the Motorola Solutions Foundation Enhanced Scholarship Initiative, the Alan Patrick Sondej Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Kenneth M. Hedrick Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the newly added Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund—provide vital financial assistance to the spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Children and stepchildren must be under the age of 30 and have been under the age of 22 at the time of the firefighter’s death. Online applications are being accepted January 1 through March 1, 2025.