WHAT IS THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE MEMORIAL?
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial Scholarship provides tuition assistance to the children of workers who died in a work-related accident or were declared permanently disabled by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Between 2001 and 2018 the TSFFM provided a total of almost $500,000 in scholarship assistance. It resumed operation in 2022 and has since increased the amount of its annual scholarship awards. As of September 2023, the scholarship amount is $6,000 per academic year.
WHY IS IT NAMED AFTER THE TRIANGLE FIRE?
In 1911, 146 workers died in a horrific fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Their working conditions, untimely deaths, and the lack of adequate compensation for the families of the victims led to widespread unionization of garment industry workers, fire and workplace safety codes – and the creation of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law.
HOW DID THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND GET STARTED?
Ninety years after the Triangle Fire, a group of workers’ compensation attorneys created the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial to memorialize the connection between the fire and the workers’ compensation system, honor the memory of the workers who died, and to help create a positive result from the tragedy.
WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TSFFM?
You can find TSFFM on the web at https://trianglememorial.org/
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To apply you must be:
- A resident of New York State;
- Enrolled in an accredited college or university;
- In good academic standing;
- Provide proof that you are receiving New York State Workers’ Compensation death benefits or are the child or dependent of a parent who is receiving benefits for permanent partial or permanent total disability (a Notice of Decision is required); and
Demonstrate financial need if requested.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?
There is no set deadline – TSFFM processes applications as they are received and makes awards periodically in coordination with the academic calendar.
