Foundation Offers $125K for 9/11 Families' College Dreams

A new scholarship program is turning grief into opportunity for the children of 9/11's long shadow.

The Barasch & McGarry Charitable Foundation just opened applications for five $25,000 scholarships, totaling $125,000, for high school seniors whose families lost someone to a September 11-related illness. Winners will be announced August 3rd and honored at a special ceremony on September 2nd.

These aren't the children who watched the towers fall on television. They're the generation born after 2001, who grew up experiencing a different kind of loss: parents and loved ones who survived the attacks but later died from illnesses caused by that day.

The numbers tell a sobering story. The World Trade Center Health Program has certified more than 140,000 people across all 50 states with 9/11-related health conditions. Over 9,000 people have died from these illnesses, nearly three times the number killed on September 11, 2001 itself.

"Twenty-five years later, 9/11 continues to affect families across the country, and these students are living proof of that lasting impact," said Michael Barasch, Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry. His law firm has represented the 9/11 community since 2001.

The scholarships are available for any accredited educational path, from four-year universities to trade schools and community colleges. The money goes directly to the school, ensuring it supports education.

The Ripple Effect

This scholarship program represents just one piece of the Foundation's broader mission. They also provide grants to nonprofit organizations supporting first responders, survivors, and their families, creating a network of care that extends across generations.

The timing matters. As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11th, these scholarships remind us that healing takes many forms. For some families, the attacks never truly ended. But this program transforms that ongoing pain into educational opportunity.

Five students will walk into college this fall carrying both their family's loss and their community's investment in their future.