Pop Quiz – How Does a School Document a Student Qualifies for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship?
Scenario:
As part of its process, a school sent out a general notification about the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship (CFHS). It has had two students come into the financial aid office stating they believe they qualify. How does a school document that a student qualifies for CFHS?
Answer:
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) does not specify how an institution should identify students who qualify for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. However, in the Nov. 19, 2018 Electronic Announcement, ED indicates that some of the documentation schools may consider using include:
- "A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice;
- A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer as defined above;
- Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer consistent with the definition in 42 U.S.C. 3796b, or as a fire police officer as noted above; or
- Other documentation the school determines to be from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the occupation of the parent or guardian."
Student Aid Index:
For additional information, try NASFAA's Student Aid Index. It is a central hub of all the important financial aid resources you need with direct links to legislation, regulation, Dear Colleague Letters, and other ED and NASFAA references. It is updated on a rolling basis with the latest news and changes. Search Pell Grant.
Test your financial aid knowledge with past pop quizzes based on real scenarios from financial aid offices on our Pop Quizzes page.
Publication Date: 10/17/2019
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