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.