Fallen Heroes Scholarship

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is proud to offer Fallen Heroes Scholarships to the children of our state’s fallen service members.

Treasurer Giannoulias with the first Fallen Heroes Scholarship recipient after a press conference Jan. 27 announcing the scholarship fund.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Child must be a U.S. citizen under the age of 30

  • Fallen Hero’s home of record on file with the Department of Defense must be in Illinois

  • A photocopy of a birth certificate, adoption certificate or marriage license must be provided and are typically available from county governments.

Scholarship Terms

  • The state will deposit $2,500 in a Bright Start account for each child of a fallen Illinois service member who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom upon the request of a surviving family member. All Illinois active and reserve servicemen and women are eligible.

  • The money will be invested in an age-based portfolio, which adjusts automatically as the beneficiary ages. The closer the child is to college-age, the more conservative the investments become.

  • Payments will be made by the Treasurer’s Office directly to an accredited college or university anywhere in the U.S. or at select institutions abroad.

  • The scholarship will be applied only to tuition, fees and room and board and must be spent before the child reaches age 30.

  • Individuals other than the state can make tax-free contributions to the scholarship account, but the state retains control of account disbursement.

  • The scholarship can be used in conjunction with other federal benefits that children of fallen service members are eligible to receive.

How do I apply?
To request a Fallen Heroes Scholarship application, contact Bright Start Account
Representative Deon Perrryman at fallenheroes@treasurer.state.il.us or (217) 558-4983.

Related Media

Helping fallen heroes' kids

Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL

January 28, 2008

Children of the fallen: Scholarship fund aids those who lost parents in Iraq, Afghanistan

Decatur Herald & Review, Decatur, IL

January 28, 2008

College scholarship fund set up for children of fallen soldiers

Mt. Vernon Register-News, Mt. Vernon, IL

January 26, 2008

About Bright Start
Bright Start is Illinois' 529 College Savings plan. Any U.S. citizen can open a Bright Start account for a child or loved one who plans to attend college with just $25, contribute as little as $15 at a time and deduct contributions from their state income tax. Earnings and contributions are federal tax free. Learn more about Bright Start at www.brightstartsavings.com.

 

  
   

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