The Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant provides educational benefits to dependent children and the surviving spouse of a public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1973.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify, the spouse or dependent (less than 23 years old) must be enrolled in an undergraduate or certificate program at one of the more than 130 public or private postsecondary schools in Minnesota that participate in the State Grant Program. The age limit is extended to 29 for dependents called for active military service (181 consecutive days or more) who have been honorably discharged or released to a reserve or National Guard unit.

You are not eligible if you have received a bachelor's degree or been enrolled full time for nine semesters or the equivalent, whichever occurs first. Students who have withdrawn for active military service after December 31, 2002 are given an extra term of eligibility.

How Much Money Can You Get?

Awards are based on the average tuition and fees charged by the institution or the tuition and fee maximums established in law for the State Grant Program, whichever is less. The annual tuition and fee maximums for the 2009-2010 award year are $10,488 (four-year program) and $5,808 (two-year or less program).

Awards are renewable for a maximum of nine semesters or the equivalent.

What Is the Application Process?

Applicants need to take a certificate of eligibility to the financial aid office at the school they attend or plan to attend. This certificate can be obtained from:

Nancy Reissner
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 100 NCL Tower
St. Paul, MN 55101
Tel: (651) 201-7165
E-mail: nancy.reissner@state.mn.us