The Relief established the Scholarship Awards Program in 1996 for all eligible dependents of active and retired Relief Association members. We’re proud to grant financial assistance to students who exemplify academic and personal achievements. Each year, the Relief awards college scholarships to the children of deserving members.

These include:

The Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship of $25,000
The Bill Goss Scholarship of $15,000
Three Relief Scholarship awards of $12,500
Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship of $25,000

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FILING PERIOD
Tuesday, March 1st – Thursday, March 31, 2022 (This filing is only for high school seniors)

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE
Thursday, March 31, 2022 / 5:00 pm

SCHOLARSHIP EVALUATION/EXAM
Saturday, April 9, 2022 (participants will be notified)

For more information, email scholarship@lafra.org.

History of the Relief Association Scholarship Program

The Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship, is named after a well-respected and distinguished firefighter who provided nearly 38 years of service to the LAFD and was instrumental in establishing the Relief’s Scholarship Program. He was a nationally recognized pioneer in the field of Hazmatology and was the first elected retired Trustee to serve on the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association Board for 18 years until his death.

The Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a dependent of a Relief Association member who passed away while serving as an active Los Angeles City Fire Department member. Beginning in 2020, the award is available to current high school seniors as well as qualified* college undergraduate students

* Qualified only applies to college students defined in the LAFRA Policy Book.

The Bill Goss Scholarship Award, enacted in 2008, is in honor of the dedication and uncompromised commitment he gave as Deputy Chief to the fire service family. Goss first served as a Relief Association Trustee, and later President, from 1945-1951. He returned to the Board in 1999, and served until his death in 2009. During his prestigious career with the LAFD, he held the ranks of Fireman, Auto Fireman, Captain, Battalion Chief and was the youngest Deputy Chief.

Other Scholarship Opportunities:
In addition to the Relief Association Scholarships, other organizations also offer separate opportunities. For information on the LAFD Merit Scholarship, please contact June Andrade at the LAFD Scholarship Fund by phone at (213) 840-0469 or e-mail june.andrade@lacity.org.