UConn announced it has created a memorial scholarship fund in honor of the victims who died in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

The Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide financial aid for any students who currently attend the elementary school, as well as siblings of those killed in the assault and dependents of teachers and other adults who also lost their lives, who are accepted to attend UConn in the future.

“It is not easy to conceive of the most heartfelt and respectful way to respond in the wake of such a shattering event,” UConn president Susan Herbst said in a statement. “Yet Newtown is in our own state and many of our students and alumni have ties to those who are affected directly. The gift of higher education is a transformational one. We want the students of Sandy Hook to have the opportunity to study at a top public research university.”

Donations will be collected through the University of Connecticut Foundation to establish a fund in anticipation of supporting the Sandy Hook Elementary students enrolled in the K-4 grades today who will be of college age beginning in approximately 2021.

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and his wife Kathy made an $80,000 donation to the scholarship fund.

“Over this past difficult weekend, Kathy and I gave much consideration to what we as a family could do that would have some significance for the future,” Auriemma said. “Because UConn is so important to us, we decided to establish a scholarship and encourage other UConn alumni, friends and fans around the world to invest in the future of the Sandy Hook survivors.”

UConn alumni and members of the public seeking a way to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy are invited to contribute to the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

People can donate through text message by texting the message "uconn newtown" to 50555

Visit  www.friends.uconn.edu/sandyhook to make a gift on the secure online giving site.

By mail: Mail your check to the UConn Foundation at 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206. Please note on your check that the gift is for the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.