Gold Star children face an immediate $150M education shortfall. Help us honor their parents’ sacrifice by ensuring they receive the education they deserve — and the bright futures their parents would have wanted for them.
*Gold Star is a solemn designation used by the U.S. government to honor the immediate family members of service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our mission is to provide college and trade school scholarships, educational assistance, and career support to military children who lost a parent in the line of duty.
Behind every Fallen Patriots scholarship is a story of loss, perseverance, and hope. While our mission centers on educational support, our work goes far beyond tuition. We walk alongside our scholars from high school through college and trade school — and beyond — providing not only scholarships and counseling, but pre-college support, career guidance, and a community that understands and honors their sacrifice.
See below for a full calendar of upcoming ways you can support the mission!
Our mission wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous donors and patriots like you.
Help us continue to transform lives and carry forward the legacy of their parents’ sacrifices.
While our nation is not actively at war, the echoes of previous conflicts continue for the children of our fallen.
With a projected $300 million shortfall over the next 20 years, CFP requires over $150 million now to support Gold Star children affected by the severe losses in Iraq and Afghanistan. These students are now of college age and rely on CFP’s help to bridge the gap between government assistance and the actual cost of their education.
There are an estimated 25,000 children of fallen servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who have died as a result of combat casualties, military training accidents, service-related illnesses, suicide, as well as other duty-related deaths over the last 35+ years. CFP has identified over 13,000 of these children and is assisting them in their growing success.
Many families we serve face significant financial hardship after the loss of a loved one. Your support helps ease the burden and open the door to opportunity.
For many of our scholars, a college degree isn’t just a milestone — it’s a legacy fulfilled. You help make that first step possible.
We are committed to honoring every family’s sacrifice. Our scholars represent the rich diversity of those who have given everything for our country.
Without support, just 20% of children who lose a parent complete college. With Fallen Patriots, that graduation rate soars to an impressive 91% — far exceeding the national average of 64%.
To date, we have identified and connected with over 13,000 children of our nation’s fallen heroes in all 51 states and territories, including Puerto Rico. We currently provide for nearly 3,700 students in our scholar network, and have supported over 1,900 graduates.
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation has provided over $77 million dollars in scholarships to over 3,800 children of fallen service members since 2002.
Our aim is to provide comprehensive professional development support to our scholars through personalized guidance, practical skill-building, and strategic partnerships in order to facilitate a smooth transition from academic life to professional success.
Our corporate partners host career seminars for our students, where corporate leaders share their experiences and insights to help our students expand their knowledge of the professional world and gain exposure to new industries.
Our partners connect our scholars with meaningful internship experiences that build confidence, skills, and professional networks. These roles are often a powerful first step toward long-term career success.
Thanks to the support of our incredible corporate partners, the CFP Career Center has helped more than 60 scholars secure full-time roles after graduation — launching careers that reflect their resilience and honor their parents’ service.
