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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: 1) BCBS Foundation Firefighter Stipends; 2) BCBS Foundation Firefighter
Scholarships to Adults; and/or 3) BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to High School Students.
Please contact the local college financial aid office for details.
1. 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)
o 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.
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2. BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to Adults:
Incentive to engage to advance as a firefighter with 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)
o 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.
3. BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarships to High School Students:
Incentive to engage to advance as a firefighter with 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)
o 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.
Attachments
Form A: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Stipend Application Form
Form B: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarship to Adults Application Form
Form C: BCBS Foundation Firefighter Scholarship to High School Students Application Form
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FORM A Stipend
Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation
Firefighter Stipend Application
Please confirm if your college is an eligible college and if it is offering this option for the term you are interested in.
Return the completed application form to the college Financial Aid Office by the deadline specified by the college.
The stipend is for $500 per term and students must reapply for each subsequent 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.
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 to be eligible for these funds.
College
Name
Student Information (please print)
Full Name
Home Address
City/State/Zip Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Mobile Number
Specify Term Applying For: ___________________ (Example: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021)
I have read and understand the requirements for this funding. I hereby declare that the information
provided on this form is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ____________
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FORM B Scholarship to Adults
Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation
Firefighter Scholarship to Adults Application
Please confirm if your college is an eligible college and if it is offering this option for the term you are interested in.
Return the completed application form to the college Financial Aid Office by the deadline specified by the college.
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 program as listed below. Any balance of funds will be
allocated to the student. 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 Bridging program and is specifically part of the
student’s pathway to EMS associate degree completion. Eligibility Requirements: 1) Hold an active NC Firefighter
I & II certification; 2) Successfully complete courses covered by the scholarship in any previous term to be eligible
for funding in a subsequent term.
College
Name
Student Information (please print)
Full Name
Home Address
City/State/Zip Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Mobile Number
Specify Term Applying For: ___________________ (Example: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021)
__ I have provided evidence that I have an active Firefighter I&II certification.
__ If I was awarded this scholarship in the past, I have provided evidence of successfully completing
previous courses.
__ I have read and understand the requirements for this funding. I hereby declare that the information
provided on this form is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant Signature _______________________________________ Date: ____________
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ORM C Scholarship to High School Students
Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation
Firefighter Scholarship to High School Students Application
Please confirm if your college is an eligible college and if it is offering this option for the term you are interested in.
Return the completed application form to the college Financial Aid Office by the deadline specified by the college.
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 program as listed below. Any balance of funds will be allocated to the
student. 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 Bridging program and is specifically part of the student’s pathway to
EMS associate degree completion. Eligibility Requirements: 1) Successful completion of a Career & College
Promise Workforce Continuing Education (CCP WCE) Fire Academy pathway; and 2) Successfully complete
courses covered by the scholarship in any previous term to be eligible for funding in a subsequent term.
College
Name
Student Information (please print)
Full Name
Home Address
City/State/Zip Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Mobile Number
Specify Term Applying For: ___________________ (Example: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021)
__ I have provided evidence that I have successfully completed a WCE CCP Fire Academy Pathway.
__ If I was awarded this scholarship in the past, I have provided evidence of successfully completing
previous courses.
__ I have read and understand the requirements for this funding. I hereby declare that the information
provided on this form is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
_______________________________________ ____________
Applicant’s Signature Date