American Airlines Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Covers college costs up to SUNY rates for children, spouses and dependents of those who died in the 2001 crash of American Airlines Flight 587
- How much
- Tuition, fees and non-tuition costs up to SUNY rates, capped at cost of attendance minus other government aid (set by statute)
- Who qualifies
- Child, spouse or financial dependent of a person who died as a direct result of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 (Rockaway, Queens, November 12, 2001)
- Undergraduate study in an approved program at a New York college. The statute waives the usual NY residency rule for this award.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- When to apply
- Check dates No published deadline or application window (HESC has no current page for the program).
- How to apply
- HESC's website no longer has a page or online application for this program
- Contact HESC directly (hesc.ny.gov, Contact Us) and ask to apply for the Flight 587 Memorial Scholarship
- HESC runs it alongside its other memorial scholarships
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (nysenate.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Set up by NY Education Law §668-f for the children, spouses and financial dependents of people who died as a direct result of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in Rockaway, Queens, on November 12, 2001. The award uses the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship amounts (§668-d): at SUNY or CUNY, tuition, mandatory fees and non-tuition living costs; at other approved NY colleges, up to SUNY four-year tuition, average SUNY fees and average SUNY non-tuition costs (or actual costs if less). Capped at the federal cost of attendance minus other government grants and scholarships. Paid for up to four years of undergraduate study (five for five-year programs). Still funded in the 2026-27 state budget.
More money from New York
- Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA)Up to $6,000 for tuition expenses
- Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)$1,000 to $5,665
- NYS Scholarships for Academic Excellence$500 or $1,500 per year
- Excelsior ScholarshipCovers tuition at SUNY/CUNY (last-dollar, after other aid)
- Non-degree Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)Prorated TAP award based on credits and actual tuition
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.