The FAFSA Simplification Act changed eligibility for what were formerly called “Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG)” and “Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Scholarships.” Students who meet the eligibility requirements for Pell Grants under the Special Rule in HEA Section 401(c) will receive a maximum Pell Grant award, regardless of their calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). To receive a Pell Grant based on eligibility under the Special Rule, a student must be: 

  • The child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while either (1) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (2) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; and 
  • Less than 33 years old as of the January 1 prior to the award year for which the applicant is applying (e.g., for the 2024–25 award year, a student must be less than 33 years old as of January 1, 2024, to be eligible)

Public Safety Officer Definition

A public safety officer generally includes the following: 

  • Law enforcement officer 
  • Firefighter 
  • Member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee 
  • Emergency management or civil defense agency employee 
  • Chaplain 
  • Others defined in Section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

Examples of acceptable documentation to submit with the application include but are not limited to:

  • A copy of the servicemember’s DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) which documents death in the line of duty
  • A copy of the servicemember’s DD Form 214 and death certificate, documenting that the date and cause of death occurred during and as a result of active duty
  • A copy of a Department of Veterans Affairs Death Narrative Document 
  • A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice
  • A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer
  • Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer
  • Other documentation the school determines to be from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the eligible occupation of the parent or guardian 

Please check with the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about document eligibility.

How to Receive Pell Grant Under Special Rule

  1. On your FAFSA, you will mark “yes” to question #16: Was the student’s parent or guardian killed in the line of duty while (1) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces on or after September 11, 2001, or (2) performing official duties as a public safety officer?
  2. Once the Financial Aid Office receives the FAFSA submission, they will generate a self-certification document in your MyUI Financial Aid To Do List. Complete and submit the application, along with your supporting documentation into your MyUI upload slot.
  3. When the office receives the application and documentation, they will review and make all necessary adjustments. Review time may vary depending on the time of year, but generally will be reviewed within two weeks.