High school seniors whose families lost a loved one to a September 11-related illness now have an opportunity to receive significant financial assistance for college or career training through a new scholarship program honoring the 25th remembrance of the terrorist attacks.
The Barasch & McGarry Charitable Foundation has opened applications for its September 11th Descendants Scholarship Program, which will award five one-time scholarships worth $25,000 each, totaling $125,000.
The scholarships recognize graduating seniors whose lives have been shaped by the lasting health consequences of the September 11 attacks.
Michael Barasch, Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry, said many graduating seniors were not yet born when the attacks occurred, but have nevertheless experienced the loss of a parent or loved one to a 9/11-related illness.
He said the scholarships are intended to honor those families while investing in students' educational futures.
Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited college, university, community college, vocational school, or trade school before the scholarships are awarded. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the student's educational institution.
Students can apply online by visiting www.baraschfoundation.org.
Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 3 and honored during the "Giving Back Benefit: Honoring the 25th Remembrance of 9/11" on September 2.
Winners will be selected by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's Visionary Board.
According to the World Trade Center Health Program, more than 140,000 people nationwide have been certified with 9/11-related health conditions, while more than 9,000 people have died from illnesses linked to the attacks since 2001, underscoring the tragedy's continuing impact on families across America today.