Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina Firefighter Stipend and Scholarship Program

Eligibility Requirements and Student Applications (Three Options)

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of NC Firefighter Stipend and Scholarship Program will provide stipends of $500 per term or scholarships up to $1,000 per term for eligible community college students pursuing NC Firefighter Certification courses or courses leading to an eligible associate degree, as described in the three options detailed below. These funds are designated to assist North Carolina fire and rescue departments with recruitment and retention of firefighters. A particular emphasis is in supporting the recruitment and training of individuals in achieving their Firefighter I & II certifications to impact the number of firefighters within the state.

This funding is available to students at 20 designated NC Community Colleges: Beaufort CC, Bladen CC, Blue Ridge CC, Caldwell CC&TI, Central Carolina CC, Cleveland CC, College of The Albemarle, Halifax CC, Isothermal CC, James Sprunt CC, Montgomery CC, Nash CC, Richmond CC, Robeson CC, Southwestern CC, Stanly CC, Surry CC, Vance-Granville CC, Wayne CC, and Wilson CC.Each college will determine which options are available and the application processes for each.

Program options are as follows:

• BCBS Foundation Firefighter Stipends
• BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to Adults
• and/or BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to High School Students. 

Please contact the local college financial aid office for details.

 

BCBS Foundation Firefighter Stipends

Recruitment and retention of NC firefighters

While registration fees are waived there are significant costs associated to accessing any training including materials, travel, and personal resources. The BCBS Foundation Firefighter

Stipends are intended to offset out-of-pocket expenses a student could incur in order to

participate in training leading to Firefighter I & II, NC Driver/Operator Pumps, or Emergency

Vehicle Driver Certifications

Stipend Award

• $500 per term (must reapply each term)
  • Funds are disbursed to the student’s college account to cover any expenses for the program/courses to cover instructional costs (books, materials, etc.) associated the designated fire fighter training within a NC community college. Any balance of funds will be allocated to the student.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• The student must enroll in course(s) required to achieve the NC Firefighter I & II, NC Driver/Operator Pumps, and/or Emergency Vehicle Driver certifications.

Form A: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Stipend Application Form

 

BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to Adults

Incentive to engage to advance as a firefighter with a path to broader public safety career goals.

Eligible programs: Fire Protection Technology, Public Safety Administration, Emergency Management or Emergency Medical Science curriculum associate degree programs and Workforce Continuing Education courses that tie directly to a college’s approved EMS Bridge program and is specifically part of the student’s pathway to EMS associate degree completion.

Scholarship Award

• Up to $1,000 per term (must reapply each term)
  • Funds are disbursed to the student’s account to cover any expenses for the program/courses to cover instructional costs (tuition, fees, books, materials, supplies, etc.) associated with an eligible curriculum program. Any balance of funds will be allocated to the student.

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold an active NC Firefighter I & II certification
• Student must successfully complete courses covered by the scholarship in any previous term to be eligible for funding in a subsequent term.

Form B: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarship to Adults Application Form

 

BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to High School Students

Incentive to engage to advance as a firefighter with a path to broader public safety career goals.

Eligible programs: Fire Protection Technology, Public Safety Administration, Emergency Management or Emergency Medical Science curriculum associate degree programs and Workforce Continuing Education courses that tie directly to a college’s approved EMS Bridge program and is specifically part of the student’s pathway to EMS associate degree completion.

Scholarship Award

• Up to $1,000 per term (must reapply each term)
  • Funds are disbursed to the student’s account to cover any expenses for the program/courses to cover instructional costs (tuition, fees, books, materials, supplies, etc.) associated with an eligible curriculum program. Any balance of funds will be allocated to the student.

Eligibility Requirements

• Successful completion of a Career & College Promise – Workforce Continuing Education (CCP – WCE) Fire Academy pathway.
• Student must successfully complete courses covered by the scholarship in any previous term to be eligible for funding in a subsequent term.

Form C: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarship to High School Students Application Form