Firefighters Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship

Deadline for receipt of the application for consideration for the CFOS/ Firefighters Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship is August 15, 2026.

  • College Scholarships for students enrolling in an accredited two or four year college or university within the continental United States.

  • • To be eligible, you must be the dependent child of an active or retired Firefighter or Fire Officer of the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY), or the child of a Firefighter or Fire Officer of the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) who passed from a 9/11-related illness.

    • Your parent or legal guardian must have a minimum of one full year of service at the time of application.

    • You must be a high school graduate who plans to enter college in the Fall.

  • 1. All applicants must complete and submit the CFOS/ FFs Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship Application Form that is attached to this package.

    2. Provide a copy of your parents’ official FDNY identification card.

    3. Submit a copy of the admissions acceptance letter from the College or University that you plan to attend, including your expected start date.

    4. If you are the child of a Firefighter or Fire Officer of the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) who passed from a 9/11-related illness, submit a Medical Board letter or FDNY documentation regarding the passing and a FDNY identification card.

    5. Complete a typed essay (submitted with the application form on www.911educationfoundation.org) that includes your biography, ambitions and your interpretation of the terms “Hero and Heroism.”

    • Application evaluation will include review of extra curricula activities.

    • Essays will be evaluated based on the following criterion: Language Mechanics, Originality, Organizational Pattern, Relevance to Topic.

    Applications will be considered officially submitted upon receipt of all of the above referenced items (accurately completed) by the Committee; on or before August 15th of the year the award is requested.

  • Recipients of the CFOC/ FFs Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship will be determined by the scholarship committee. The committee is comprised of Thomas and Daniel Foley’s family and friends and members of the Community Foundation of Orange County. Their relationship with Thomas and Daniel Foley qualifies them to evaluate applicants based upon the submitted information and determine the Scholarship recipient who best exemplifies the values and qualities demonstrated by Thomas and Daniel Foley during their lives.

    • Application evaluation will include review of extra curricula activities.

    • Essays will be evaluated based on the following criterion: Language Mechanics, Originality, Organizational Pattern, Relevance to Topic.

  • The scholarship committee reserves the right to determine the number of scholarships to be awarded in a given year. However, it is anticipated that a minimum of one new scholarship will be awarded each calendar year, along with the renewal of previously awarded scholarships.

  • A scholarship award will consist of a cumulative maximum value of $8,000, which can be applied to offset the cost of tuition or books. The annual base grant of $2,000 (payable in two $1,000 increments) is awarded to recipients selected by the committee and is renewable at the end of each semester.

    Payment will be made directly to the college or university that you attend.

  • Following the completion of each semester at the college or university that you attend, award recipients must submit a copy of their transcript to:

    The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan
    30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202
    Montgomery, NY 12549

    It is mandatory that your transcript is mailed at the end of each semester so that future awards can be paid.

  • Transfers are permitted for college students only at the beginning of the academic year. The scholarship recipient must notify the Scholarship committee of their intention to transfer and provide evidence of satisfactory academic progress at his/ her current institution as well as evidence of admittance to the institution in which the student plans to enroll.

  • A scholarship recipient may request that the scholarship be temporarily suspended if full-time study is interrupted. Requests must be submitted to the scholarship committee in writing and are renewable upon re-admission and at the discretion of the committee.

  • Please ensure that completed applications are submitted on or before August 15, 2026 via the form available on www.911educationfoundation.org.

  • Any questions or concerns regarding the Firefighters Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship can be sent to:

    The Scholarship Committee

    CFOC/ FFs Thomas J. & Daniel R. Foley Memorial Scholarship

    C/O: Carrie Foley Westchester Funeral Home

    190 Main Street Eastchester, NY 10709

    info@911educationfoundation.org

The Firefighter Thomas J. Foley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2001, as a tribute to an American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while saving thousands of lives during the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The Scholarship was updated in 2024 to include Tommy’s brother, Danny, who passed in 2020 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Danny’s illness was a result of his efforts at Ground Zero while searching for Tommy and other victims of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The program is intended to provide a lasting legacy to the lives of firefighters Thomas and Daniel Foley by assisting the children of fellow brother firefighters within the FDNY in meeting the expenses of postsecondary educational costs.

Firefighter Tommy Foley was a decorated eleven-year veteran of the FDNY. Tommy spent his first nine years with Squad Company 41 and the remainder of his career with Rescue Company 3. Tommy loved the Fire Department and all that it stands for and he treasured the relationships he shared with his brothers. He received national media attention for a heroic rescue he made on the job and was subsequently honored by Irish America Magazine.

Firefighter Daniel R. Foley was destined to work in Rescue 3. Danny always wanted to be a firefighter and was a volunteer firefighter in West Nyack, NY. In February of 1999 his goal of joining the FDNY and work with his brother was achieved. Danny moved from Engine 68/Ladder 49 to Rescue 3 after 9/11 and spent the remainder of his career there. Danny was cited eleven times in his career for his lifesaving bravery, his last rescue happening on his last tour at Rescue 3 in 2019.

Tommy and Danny were kindred spirits and they showed, by example, how to achieve a life well lived. Their values were evident not only in their career, but also in their day-to-day lives.

Aside from the Fire Department, they each enjoyed all that life had to offer. They were avid and accomplished outdoorsman and sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and skydiving. Tommy competitively weight lifted and competed in rodeo and Danny was a former teacher and competitive boxer. They each continued their football careers after graduating from Clarkstown South High School; Danny played for Iona College and then joined Tommy on the FDNY “Bravest” Football Team.

Tommy and Danny brought discipline and determination to everything they set out to accomplish. They were the lights and guardians of their families: cherished sons, brothers, uncles, Godfathers, cousins, nephews and friends. Danny was also a husband to his wife Carrie and father to their five children: Erin, Kiera, Brianne, Kendall, and TJ.

In their short time with us, Tommy and Danny exemplified lives well lived full of love, friendship, integrity, compassion, dedication and bravery. Whether as Firemen, cowboys, friends, neighbors or acquaintances, they each made an unforgettable impact on everyone they met and lived their lives to the fullest.

Heroes Thomas J. and Daniel R. Foley will never be forgotten.

FOLEY STRONG