Giannoulias announces Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund

$2,500 Bright Start accounts to children of fallen heroes

Listen to the Chicago press conference

Listen to soundbites from Giannoulias & Duckworth

January 27, 2008

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth have established the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund to benefit the children of fallen Illinois service members.

Children who have lost a parent in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom or future conflicts are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship deposited into a Bright Start College Savings account.

The accounts are managed by the Treasurer’s Office. Beneficiaries between the ages 18 and 30 can use the money for college tuition, fees and room and board at accredited colleges, universities and vocational schools in the U.S. and at some abroad.

“The loss of a parent can have a devastating effect on children, making it more likely that they will drop out of school or struggle to pay for college,” Giannoulias said. “We hope this program will honor Illinois’ fallen heroes by making their children’s futures a little stronger.”

Director Duckworth, who helped the Treasurer’s Office develop criteria for the scholarships, added that they will be extremely helpful to families who have felt a devastating loss.

“The Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund will help provide education for the children of our fallen heroes,” Duckworth said. “These military families have endured a loss that can never be replaced. The least we can do is ensure that these children have the opportunity to pursue an education and the American dream, the very dream their father or mother fought to protect for the rest of us.”

Giannoulias and Duckworth announced the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund at press conferences in Chicago, Decatur and the city of Colchester (near Macomb) on Sunday that included local lawmakers and children who are benefiting from the program.

Army Staff Sgt. Donald B. Farmer left behind three children when he was killed along with another soldier Dec. 19, 2004, when he was struck by a vehicle while changing a flat tire in Shuaybah, Kuwait.

His eldest daughter, Charon, 19, of Zion, is using the scholarship to pay for two years of tuition at College of Lake County in Grayslake, where she is pursuing a medical imaging degree. She started school in spring of 2007, but took last semester off to save money and better prepare for school.

“I am very grateful for the scholarship because I don’t have to worry about tuition,” said Farmer, who works part-time as a CNA at a nursing home. “It helps me focus on school.”

Marine Pvt. Jonathan Lee Gifford, 30, of Decatur was killed in an ambush in southern Iraq, just four weeks into the Iraq war. The former factory worker at Archer Daniels Midland had one daughter, Lexie, now 8 years old, who was enrolled in the scholarship program by her grandmother.

“Jonathan was my only child, and Lexie is my only grandchild,” Vicky Langley said. “Before the war started, Johnny wrote me a letter asking to take care of Lexie if anything ever happened to him. He wanted the best for Lexie’s future, and I hope this scholarship will help her achieve whatever she puts her mind to.”

Barbara Stein lost her husband, Air Force Lt. Col. John Stein of Colchester, when the helicopter he was piloting went down in stormy weather during a rescue mission in southeast Afghanistan in 2003. The couple had three children.

Doug and Erin, who are studying chemistry and animal science, respectively, at the University of Illinois, expect to use the funds for graduate school. A home-schooled junior, the youngest son, Tim, is also college bound.

“This is a wonderful program because it takes a great burden off of their mother and helps them realize their dreams and aspirations,” said First Baptist Church of Colchester Pastor Dennis Clements, speaking on behalf of the Stein family. “Doug and Erin might not have been able to pursue their medical degrees, and Tim might not be able to pursue his college goals, without the scholarships.”

The Fallen Heroes scholarships are funded by contributions from Bright Start program manager OppenheimerFunds. No tax dollars are being used.

“Helping to make college more affordable is an excellent way to honor the memory of our fallen heroes,” State Sen. Frank Watson (R-51st) said. “Through our successful Bright Start program, we hope children dealing with the stress of losing a parent have one less thing to worry about.” As a state legislator, Watson helped create the Bright Start program.

For each eligible child, the state will deposit $2,500 into a tax-free Bright Start College Savings account and invest the funds in an age-based portfolio that grows more conservative as the child reaches college age. The scholarship accounts must be initiated by the beneficiary or a surviving family member, though the state retains control of the monetary distribution. The scholarship can supplement federal education or death benefits.

“This scholarship program is a way that we can give something back to the families of those honored members of the Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” State Rep. Bob Flider (D-101st) said.

“Through this program, the Treasurer’s Office is doing its part to meet the needs of children who suffer the devastating loss of a parent in military service,” added State Sen. Michael Bond (D-31st).

To qualify for the Fallen Heroes Scholarship, children must be U.S. citizens younger than 30 years old and have parental documentation such as a birth certificate or adoption decree. The deceased parent’s home of residence on file with the U.S. Department of Defense must be in Illinois, but the children are not required to live here to receive the scholarships.

“Providing assistance in the education of their children is a very worthy endeavor. I applaud the Treasurer's Office for their efforts to honor our fallen service members,” said State Rep. Richard Myers (R-94th).

Giannoulias mailed scholarship information to the families of each fallen Illinois service member in November, but many letters were returned. He asks that anyone who knows a family who may qualify to contact the Treasurer’s Office immediately so their scholarship can start earning interest.

“We believe there are dozens of children in Illinois and in other states that are eligible for these scholarships that we cannot find or who have not enrolled,” Giannoulias said. “If you know a child who has lost a parent during the War on Terror, please help us reach out to their families so these college scholarships do not go to waste.”

This is not the first initiative shared by Giannoulias and Duckworth. Last year, Duckworth asked Giannoulias to help reserve forces whose businesses falter during their deployment or training.

The Treasurer’s Office now partners with lenders statewide to offer low-interest loans up to $250,000 to National Guard and Reservists who are away from their businesses for at least 90 days and anticipate economic hardship as a result.

To learn more about the Fallen Heroes Scholarship program, check out its webpage, email the Treasurer's Office at fallenheroes@treasurer.state.il.us or call (217) 558-4983.

More information on Bright Start is available at www.brightstartsavings.com.