Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship

American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship provides access to a college education for children, spouses, and financial dependents of individuals who died as a direct result of American Airlines Flight 587’s crash in Rockaway, Queens, New York on November 12, 2001.

Eligibility

An applicant must:

  • be either a child, spouse or financial dependent of an individual who died as a direct result of the American Airlines Flight 587 crash on November 12, 2001 in Rockaway, Queens, New York;
  • have graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
  • study at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State;
  • be matriculated in an approved program of study;
  • be enrolled as a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester applicable toward the degree program;
  • be in good academic standing;
  • be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award; and
  • be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

Award Amount

For the 2023-24 academic year, a recipient will receive a maximum of $26,830 if living on campus and a maximum of $16,500 if commuting to college. Note: Students choosing to live off campus when housing is available will be paid at the lower commuter rate.

  • Tuition: an amount equal to your actual tuition or the State University of New York’s (SUNY) in-state tuition, whichever is less.
  • Non-tuition Costs: such as room, board, books, supplies and transportation up to the non-tuition cost allowances at SUNY colleges.
    • Type of housing affects the total amount, with an on-campus student receiving a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student; however, if housing is not available on campus, the student will receive the same allowance as student living on campus.

Receipt of other grants and scholarships may reduce the award. The total of all aid received cannot be greater than the student's cost of attendance determined for federal Title IV student financial aid purposes.

Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Duration

Recipients are entitled to payment for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study, or five years if enrolled in a bachelor degree program approved as a program normally requiring five years of study.

How to Apply

Complete and submit the American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship Web Supplement. Be sure to print the Web Supplement confirmation, sign, date and submit it, along with the required documentation, according to the instructions.

If more than one member of a family applies for the American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship award, each family member must submit a separate supplement.

How to Request Payment

Award recipients must request payment by June 30 of each academic year:

  • Current New York State residents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TAP on the Web application linked directly to the FAFSA.
  • Non-New York State residents must contact the HESC Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 888-697-4372 to request a Scholarship and Grant Payment Application.

HESC makes payments to schools upon certification of eligibility and submission of appropriate financial aid applications.

Questions

Please contact the Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions regarding this Program.

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