Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to extend the Pell Grant to students whose parent(s) are deceased first responders.

The Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2009 (H.R. 959) would provide the maximum federal Pell Grant award beginning in the 2010-11 year to children of law enforcement officers, firefighters or members of a rescue squad or emergency medical services crew who are killed in the line of duty.

The Act would allow for the awarding of the maximum grant to students whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while actively serving as a public safety officer.

The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.