faforfirst

Overview

Financial Aid Programs for First Responders & Family

First Responders Fire Fighters

If you are a dependent or spouse of a first responder, you may be eligible for additional financial aid. The Commission administers the Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD). Additionally, there are special scholarships you may be eligible to receive through the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. Finally, you may also be eligible for a tuition fee waiver through the Alan Pattee Scholarship (more information below).

Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program

The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD) provides a need-based educational grant to dependents and spouses of employees who lost their lives in the line of duty or were totally disabled as a result of an accident or injury caused by external violence or physical force incurred in the performance of duty in the following professions:

  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice
  • Firefighters
  • Law Enforcement
  • Tribal Firefighters

Students may be eligible for up to the full LEPD award amount in accordance with their institution awarding and Cal Grant eligibility guidelines. Students may be eligible to receive this grant for a maximum of four years.

Check your eligibility & application

To be eligible for this grant, the applicant must:

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the academic year. To apply for this grant, the applicant must submit the following information:

1. ​The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD) Application

a. 2022-23 application period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

b. 2023-24 application period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

2. A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate or marriage certificate.

3. The death certificate of the parent/spouse, the coroner’s report (if applicable) for a dependent or spouse of:

a. California peace and law enforcement officer: documentation (i.e., police report) showing evidence that the death or total disability was caused by external violence or physical force incurred in the line of duty;

b. Officers and employees of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: documentation showing that the death, accident, or injury was caused by the direct action of an inmate;

c. California Fire Fighters: documentation showing that the death or total disability was the result of an accident or injury incurred in the performance of duty.

4. If applicable, a copy of the findings of the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board or other evidence that the fatality or disabling accident was compensable under Division 4 or 4.5 (commencing with section 6100) of the Labor Code.

Students may be eligible for up to the full LEPD award amount in accordance with their institution awarding and Cal Grant eligibility guidelines. Students may be eligible to receive this grant for a maximum of four years.

Once a student has submitted their complete application, CSAC will reach out to the Financial Aid Office of the school listed for more information. After evaluating the complete application and financial aid information, CSAC will make the final determination of eligibility for the award.

For more information, please contact:

California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs
specialized@csac.ca.gov


Alan Pattee Scholarship Act: Tuition Fee Waiver

Under this act, an eligible student who is a surviving spouse or child of a deceased person who meets all of the following requirements may be eligible for an exemption towards tuition and fees at a California Community college, California State University, or University of California campus. Requirements include:

  • Was a resident of California.
  • Was employed by a public agency, or was a contractor, or an employee of a contractor, performing services for a public agency.
  • Had principal duties consisting of active law enforcement service or active fire suppression and prevention.
  • Passed away in the performance of active law enforcement, or active fire suppression and prevention duties, or died as a result of an accident or injury incurred in the performance of those duties.

A student that is the surviving spouse or child of contractor, or an employee of a contractor, performing services for a public agency must also:

  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at a CCC, CSU, or UC campus. 
  • Based on the student’s current year FAFSA or California Dream Act, have an annual income, including the value of support received from the parent, that does not exceed the maximum household income and asset level for a Cal Grant B applicant.

If you think you may be eligible for this tuition and fee waiver, please contact your campus financial aid office for more information.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act

If you are an immediate family member of a first responder who may have lost their life or became disabled in the line of duty, you may be eligible for additional financial assistance through the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act.