World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship for children, spouses, and financial 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.

  • 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, the Pentagon, and on airline flights 11, 77, 93, and 175 - and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts

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

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:

Must complete the NYS payment application.

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.

Undocumented and other immigrant students: before submitting your application material, apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act.

 

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

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

Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application.

  • 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.

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 applicable toward the degree program.
  • Matriculated in an approved program of study.
  • Study at an approved post-secondary institution in New York State.

There are no income limits for this Scholarship.

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.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with qualified disabilities who attend less than full-time must register with their college office for students with disabilities. 

Learn More

Have Questions? 

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