Families Of Freedom Scholarship Fund Awards Over $91 Million In Needs-Based Scholarships To Family Members And Rescue Workers Since September 11, 2001

More Than $11 Million In Scholarships Awarded In 2012 – 2013 Academic Year

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund® has distributed $91,729,985 in awards to 2,374 students over the past 12 years. This figure includes $11 million in new needs-based postsecondary scholarships awarded during the 2012 - 2013 academic year. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is a program of Scholarship America®, the nation's largest non-profit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization.

The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund is the largest private scholarship fund for children, spouses and domestic partners of people who were tragically killed on September 11, 2001, or permanently disabled during the rescue operation, transforming the lives and supporting the educational dreams of families of airplane crews and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers and visitors, and those who were permanently disabled in the attacks.

"There are thousands of families who have benefited from the incredible generosity of our Fund donors - we are deeply grateful to the individuals and corporations who remember our families and continue to make donations to our Fund in support of the 5,000 students who are registered to apply for future scholarships," said Rhianna Quinn Roddy, Executive Director, Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship America has been operating the Fund with no fees since 2001 and remains committed to helping eligible students from September 11th families realize their goals and full potential through education. Scholarship America will continue to steward the Fund until the year 2030 when the last of the 9/11 children will have completed college.

"Achieving an education beyond high school shouldn't leave students – who have already lost so much – with additional heavy burdens. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund was established to lighten the load for the families most closely affected by the tragedies of September 11^th. We continue to be honored to administer this Fund, and humbled by the stories we hear of strength and healing," said Lauren Segal, President & CEO, Scholarship America.

For information about the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, or to find out how to register please go to www.familiesoffreedom.org or call 877-862-0136.

About Scholarship America^®
Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college.  Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $3 billion in scholarship assistance to 2 million students, funding both entry-level and multi-year scholarships and emergency financial grants. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org.

SOURCE Scholarship America