WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced the Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, a bill that provides college tuition assistance for the children of firefighters, police officers and EMS workers killed in the line of duty. Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) introduced the version of this bill which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.
“Police officers, firefighters and EMS workers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities and families safe,” said Senator Casey. “We should do everything in our power to ensure their children are taken care of and have the opportunity to pursue higher education should a parent lose their life in the line of duty.”
“Our cops, firefighters, and EMS workers are heroes who put their lives on the line each day to keep our families safe. They deserve to know their children are taken care of should the unthinkable happen,” said Rep. Murphy, the son of a Philadelphia police officer.
The legislation would help ease the financial burden on children of fallen heroes by increasing federal student aid for those who hope to pursue a college education. Under the bill, children of fallen firefighters, police officers or EMS workers who are eligible for any amount of Pell money would become automatically eligible for the maximum Pell Grant available.
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