The World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of innocent victims, who died or were severely and permanently disabled and survivors who were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America and associated rescue and recovery efforts. Eligibility for the Memorial Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers is expanded to include emergency medical service workers, and provides enhanced awards.
Effective immediately and retroactive for the 2001-02 academic year, this program:
- Establishes the World Trade Center memorial Scholarship for the children, spouses, and financial dependents of victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled and survivors who were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon and the hijackings and crashes of United Airlines Flights 93 and 175 and American Airlines Flights 11 and 77 and associated rescue and recovery efforts;
- Provides eligible recipients with annual scholarships to fund the cost of attending an institution of the State University or City University of New York or an equivalent amount for attendance at a private college located in New York State or outside of the State if the eligible recipient was in attendance at that college on September 11, 2001;
- Expands the existing Memorial Scholarships by extending eligibility to the families of deceased emergency medial service workers in addition to the families of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, and peace officers, and adding financial dependents to those survivors eligible for the scholarship. The current New York State residency requirements have also been eliminated for the Memorial Scholarships;
- Defines children, financial dependents and disability for purposes of determining eligibility for these scholarships;