World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship

Deadline & Application Award Eligibility Help & Resources

Scholarship for children, spouses, and financial dependents of innocent who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

  • Available to full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a SUNY, CUNY or private degree granting NYS college.

  • Covers cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY or the actual cost of attendance, whichever is less. 

  • Be either a survivor, who is severely and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the attacks or subsequent rescue and recovery operations, or a child, spouse or financial dependent of a deceased or severely and permanently disabled victim.

  • Dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America - at the World Trade Center (including flights 11 and 175), the Pentagon flight 77 crash site, the Shanksville, Pennsylvania flight 93 crash site, and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts.

  • Be enrolled in full-time study (12 credits per term).

Deadline & Application

Deadline

Be sure to complete your FAFSA and apply for TAP first.

Complete the FAFSA Apply for TAP

Then complete and submit the following:

If more than one member of a family applies for a WTC award, each family member must submit a separate supplement.

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

For out-of-state residents: You must complete the NYS payment application.

Award

Amount

Covers cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY or the actual cost of attendance, whichever is less.

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.

Frequency

Annual

  • For NYS Residents:  Must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or DREAM Act application each year for payment.
  • For Out of State Residents:  Must complete the NYS Payment application each year for payment.
Duration
  • Up to four years of full-time undergraduate study.
  • Five years if enrolled in a degree program approved as a program normally requiring five years of study.

Any award payment received may have tax implications. Please direct any questions to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Eligibility

Non-New York State residents (including undocumented students): before submitting your Scholarship application, apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act.

Income does not affect eligibility. Applicants can qualify at any income level, provided other eligibility requirements are met.

Financial Status

To receive the Scholarship, you must:

  • Be in good standing (a non-default status) on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award.
  • Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received.

To receive the Scholarship, you must meet the following residency requirements: 

  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.

Not a legal resident of New York State? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application. 

Be either a survivor, who is severely and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained at the impacted areas of the attacks or subsequent rescue and recovery operations, or a child, spouse or financial dependent of a deceased or severely and permanently disabled victim.

World Trade Center Impact Areas include:

  • World Trade Center, including flights 11 and 175, bordered by Broadway to the east, the Hudson River to the west, Chambers Street to the north and Rector Street to the south during the period of time beginning at 8:45 a.m., EST on September 11, 2001, and ending May 30, 2002.
  • The crash site of American Airlines flight 77 on the grounds of the Pentagon.
  • The crash site of United Airlines Flights 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
  • Those involved in subsequent rescue and recovery efforts.

Note: To be deemed severely and permanently disabled, one must be unable to engage in any occupation for payment or profit because of a severe or permanent disability sustained as a direct result of the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States or while engaged in the subsequent rescue and recovery efforts. For purposes of this award, someone who is able to work and earn money, even on a part-time basis or light duty, is not considered to have a severe and permanent disability.

High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit

  • Graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test. 

College & Program

  • Enrolled full-time taking 12 or more credits per semester in your program of study.
  • Matriculated in an approved program of study.
  • Be in good academic standing.
  • Study at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with disabilities can take longer to complete their associate degree or bachelor’s degree if their disability requires them to attend less than full-time or if they need to pause their studies due to their disability.  

Learn more about your rights under the Americans with Disability Act of 1990.

Help & Resources

Have Questions? 

HESC is here to answer your questions or help you with a specific issue. 

Call 1-888-NYSHESC (1-888-697-4372) to speak with our representatives.  

Representatives are available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). 

New York State Higher Education

Services Corporation

99 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12255

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