The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant and Children of Fallen Heroes Grant

Starting with the 2024-25 award year, schools will no longer be awarding Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG), or special grants for Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH). Rather than receiving one of these awards, students will receive a maximum Pell Grant award, currently $7,395. The federal government has established a lifetime limit of no more than 12 semesters (or its equivalent) for eligible students.  

On the FAFSA there is a question regarding Parents Killed in the Line of Duty. This includes parents who may have lost their life either while on duty in the military after September 11, 2001, or while performing duties as a public safety officer. Public safety officers include all Law Enforcement, firefighters, chaplains, civil defense employees, ambulance crew members, and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If you check yes to this question, you will be asked for documentation to confirm that you are eligible for consideration of this award.

Eligibility:

• The child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while (a) serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; and
• Less than 33 years old as of January 1 prior to the award year for which the applicant is applying (e.g., for the 2026-27 award year, a student must be less than 33 years old as of January 1, 2026, to be eligible). 

For more information regarding the Iraq and Afghanistan Service grant, please visit the Federal Student Aid site.