Educational Benefits

Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children or spouses of deceased police officers, correction officers, firefighters and volunteer firefighters of New York State who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. This scholarship supplements the $450 received through the Child of Police Officer-FirefighterCorrection Officer (CPF) award programs. Awards are made for full-time undergraduate study at approved colleges and other post secondary institutions in New York State. Note: Spouses are eligible for scholarship payments effective with the 1993-‘94 academic year.

You must be a New York State resident and attending an approved undergraduate program in New York State. The police officer, correction officer, firefighter or volunteer firefighter must have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty as a member of a department in New York State.

The Memorial Scholarship award will be equal to the applicant's actual tuition cost or the State University of New York (SUNY) undergraduate tuition, whichever is less. Students attending institutions with tuition charges higher than the SUNY tuition charges may, if eligible, receive additional assistance through New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Memorial Scholarships also provide funds to meet the non-tuition costs of attending college. At SUNY and CUNY (City University of New York State), the annual award would be equal to the non-tuition cost of attendance less any federal Pell Grant and any other federal and state-funded scholarships or grants. Non-tuition costs include room and board and an allowance for books, supplies and transportation. At a private college, the award would be equal to the average of the non-tuition costs at SUNY colleges less any federal Pell Grant or other federal and state-funded scholarships or grants. A student living on campus will receive a higher room and board allowance than a commuter student. If housing is not available for students on campus they will receive the same allowance as students living on campus.

​The annual filing deadline is May 1 of the academic year. The amount is paid for four years of full-time undergraduate study (or for five years in an approved five-year bachelor's program). For more information information or to receive an application, New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255. Office: (888) 697-4372. NYS Memorial Scholarship website.