The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund® was created to provide more than $100 million in postsecondary education assistance to an entire generation of financially needy dependents of those killed or permanently disabled in the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath. The program has already provided millions in support for students who were in high school and college when the tragedy struck, and will continue to provide for the families whose children complete their education at any time over the next 30 years.
Who created the fund? Who manages it?
The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund was created in the weeks that followed the attacks of 9/11/2001. Lumina Foundation for Education pledged the initial $3 million to create Families of Freedom - $1 million went directly to the scholarship fund and $2 million to a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to encourage contributions from individuals. The fund declaration can be found here; a list of major donors can be found here. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is managed by Scholarship America.
Who is Scholarship America?
Founded in 1958, Scholarship America is the nation's premier nonprofit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization. The organization has distributed nearly $2 billion to more than a million and a half students across the country through its Dollars for Scholars® and Scholarship Management Services® programs. Charity Navigator, the nation's top evaluator of non-profit organizations, has given Scholarship America its highest rating for fiscal health and responsibility to donors. Scholarship America today is headquartered in St. Peter and Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, visit http://scholarshipamerica.org.
(NOTE: When the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund was created, the organization was known as Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America before shortening its name on January 1, 2003.)
What is Lumina Foundation for Education?
The co-founder of Families of Freedom, Lumina Foundation for Education is a private, independent foundation that strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to an education beyond high school. The foundation, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, pledged the initial $3 million to create Families of Freedom –$1 million directly to the scholarship fund and $2 million as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to encourage contributions from individuals. The $2 million matching grant was met on December 18, 2001. For more information, visit www.luminafoundation.org.
What role did President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole play with Families of Freedom?
President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Bob Dole joined together to spearhead the campaign fund effort. Clinton and Dole energized the campaign on Saturday, September 29, 2001, with a press conference and a public service announcement broadcast nationwide. This provoked a groundswell of goodwill from the international community – from grassroots support to events to cause-related marketing campaigns. Clinton and Dole served as co-chairs of the campaign fund effort until the fundraising goal of $100 million was reached on September 4, 2002, signaling the end of the active fundraising campaign.
How much was raised for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund?
More than $108 million was raised, with an additional $20 million in commitments for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. In January 2002, the first scholarships were awarded to eligible students. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is expected to continue through 2030.
How many scholarships have been given out so far?
As of November 2007, the Fund delivered needed scholarships to 899 individuals, totaling more than $23 million. In 2007 alone, scholarship grants currently total more than $4.7 million. There are currently nearly 5,000 students registered, and more potentially eligible for Families of Freedom scholarships through 2030.
Is Scholarship America still actively fundraising for the Families of Freedom?
No, Scholarship America stopped actively fundraising on September 4, 2002, the day the $100 million goal was reached. Because more monies have since been donated over the goal, a greater portion of students’ financial needs can be met.
What is the September 11 Scholarship Alliance?
The September 11 Scholarship Alliance was formed by leading scholarship providers and associated organizations to simplify the scholarship application process for post-secondary education for the families of victims. While it is no longer active, many of the funds listed in the "Other Funds" section were initially part of the Scholarship Alliance, and the streamlined application developed by Scholarship America and the Alliance continues to make things simpler for those in need.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on eligibility, guidelines and fund management, please contact Scholarship America's Scholarship Management Services division at 877-862-0136 or familiesoffreedom@scholarshipamerica.org. Media members, please visit the Press Room or contact Janine Fugate at jfugate@scholarshipamerica.org.
