Judson partners with nonprofit to aid families of fallen first responders

Judson University in Elgin and 16 other schools are partnering with the nonprofit 100 Club of Chicago to provide financial support to educate spouses and children of fallen police officers, firefighters and paramedics from Cook and Lake counties.

"We have many alumni who currently serve or have served as first responders, so this is both an honor and an opportunity to recognize those who serve all of us," Judson President Gene Crume said.

Judson is the first evangelical Christian university to be invited to the 100 Club University Partners Program.

The 100 Club Educational Assistance Program is available to the spouses and children - biological, adopted and stepchildren - of fallen first responders for higher education, including trade and vocational schools, colleges and universities. Grants and scholarships are provided for undergraduate and graduate levels. Families of federal, state, and county law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel stationed in Cook and Lake counties also qualify.

As part of the alliance, Judson will offer two full-tuition scholarships - yearly tuition is $27,290 - for qualifying students to study there each year.

Families eligible for the scholarships are vetted through the 100 Club, which sets the selection criteria for application, officials said.

"All Judson students bring their own unique stories and experiences when they join the Judson community," Crume said. "As a Christian university, we seek to support how God is working in each person's story. So, we are humbled by the opportunity to provide a loving and supportive community to a student whose loved one was a first responder."

Since 1970, the 100 Club has provided educational assistance to more than 500 children and spouses.

To apply for a scholarship or for more information, call Caitlyn Brennan, 100 Club of Chicago's program and outreach coordinator, at (312) 265-0920, ext. 203, or email cbrennan@100clubchicago.org.