Commemorating 25 Years of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund

Twenty-five years ago, Americans woke up to one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left thousands of families dealing with injuries, long-term illnesses and the loss of loved ones.

Individuals, companies and nonprofits across the nation stepped in immediately to provide support, and Scholarship America was no exception. As the nation’s largest scholarship administrator, we knew we would be uniquely positioned to help impacted families look forward to a brighter future; within days, we had built a partnership with Lumina Foundation to create the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.

The creation of the Fund sparked an overwhelming outpouring of generosity nationwide. With President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Bob Dole coming together to serve as co-founders and fundraising chairs, donations arrived from more than 20,000 corporations, foundations, educational institutions, grassroots organizations, and individuals. We exceeded our initial $100 million goal within a year, awarding the first scholarships in the fall of 2002.

“Twenty-five years later, we still remember how this Fund began—born out of one of the worst days in our nation’s history in an effort to ensure that these victims’ children wouldn’t lose their futures along with their loved ones,” said Mike Nylund, President and CEO of Scholarship America. “A promise was made to these students, and Scholarship America has been honored to help keep it for the past twenty-five years. Watching them graduate, build careers, and give back to their own communities has been one of the great privileges of this organization’s history. On behalf of every student this Fund has supported, I am incredibly grateful for the generosity that made it possible.”

That support provided a beacon of hope for people like Joseph Palombo and his family. “I was 12 years old when I lost my dad in the September 11 attacks. He was a firefighter who died running into the Twin Towers to save others,” Joe recalls. “I knew I would never again have that moment when my dad would look at me and say ‘I’m so proud,’ and after losing him,  I was totally insecure about what I was capable of. I struggled through school. I had no idea what I was going to do in life. I didn’t think I could go to college, especially with nine siblings that all had their own dreams … This [scholarship] meant the world to me.”

[watch on NBCNews.com]

With support from Families of Freedom, Joe and all nine of his siblings were able to pursue higher education; Joe, a financial analyst in the New York metro area, served two full terms on Scholarship America’s Board of Trustees as well.

Since its founding, the Fund has also seen its initial goals expand. As Ground Zero first responders and rescue workers began to report chronic illnesses and long-term disability as a result of their heroic efforts, we worked to expand the Fund’s reach to many more students than originally anticipated.

With ongoing support, we are still helping students like Ariel Council, who is majoring in political science at the University of North Carolina–Charlotte and hopes to continue on to law school.

“The Families of Freedom Scholarship has made a huge difference in my life,” she says. “Instead of worrying every day about how I’m going to afford school, I’ve been able to spend my time focusing on my classes, getting involved, and working toward my future. It has truly changed my college experience for the better.

“I am so thankful to everyone who supports the Families of Freedom Scholarship. Your generosity has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and I don’t take that for granted. Thank you for believing in students like me and helping make my education and future possible.”

As of today, the Fund has provided $193 million to 3,877 students, and we’re not done yet. To ensure a truly generational impact, Scholarship America has promised to keep raising funds and awarding scholarships through 2030, ensuring that even the youngest children of affected families could pursue higher education.

The mission of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is to continue honoring the sacrifices of 9/11 heroes by helping their children access higher education. These and thousands of fellow responders gave everything, and we are committed to giving back to the families they left behind.