Exclusive Firefighting Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

About firefighting scholarships

For years, firefighters have always put their community first, acting as first responders to any call of danger in their area. The International Association of Fire fighters has even been around for a century. The fact is, not everyone can handle the job that they do. Upon arrival at the scene of a fire or other such emergency, the work may be dangerous. Firefighters are always on call to control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.

On top of upholding public safety, firefighters may even provide emergency medical services while acting as first responders to the scene. Nationwide, 46% of fire departments provided basic life support (BLS), and 17% provided advanced life support (ALS). To land a career as essentially both a fire fighter and an emergency medical technician takes long-term training.

Although experience is gained through on-the-job training, firefighters may choose to enhance their knowledge through college by studying fire science where you learn all about fire behavior and fire investigation. While you don't need to earn a postsecondary degree to become a firefighter, earning a bachelor's degree in fire science or public administration can help firefighters advance in their careers.

However, the rising cost of tuition has pushed students into taking federal loans and piling up on student debt. Firefighting scholarships are a form of financial aid awarded to fund firefighters in financial need pay off educational costs.

Are there scholarships for firefighters?

Yes, there are several scholarships that exist on Bold.org specifically for those with careers in the fire department. Many firefighters may still be struggling to pay off their student debt. Additionally, there are students interested in both firefighting and pursuing higher education but are not sure how to balance them both financially. Firefighters can apply for these scholarships for financial assistance.

Can you get a scholarship for firefighting?

Any firefighters planning to enroll in an accredited college can find scholarships exclusively for their work, or related fire science degree programs. Some firefighting scholarships exist specifically to help individuals pursuing relevant careers reach success in their education.

These opportunities for financial aid do exist. It's only a matter of knowing where to find them and actively applying for the ones that are best suited for you.

How to apply for firefighting scholarships

Creating a profile on Bold.org is the first step in applying for scholarships. On your Bold.org profile, it is easy to find scholarships for firefighting. Using the filters, you can sort through the site's available scholarships in the 'Public Safety' category, or click on one of the firefighting scholarships listed on this page.

Select one scholarship that suits you and read through the description to find useful information like the eligibility requirements, the application deadline, selection criteria, and required materials.

The application process is simple and conducted at your own pace. If you wish to complete the application process at a later time, the bookmark tool allows you to save scholarships so you can return later.

To apply, simply click the 'Apply Now' button once you've completed the application materials and you'll be entered into the scholarship.

How to get a firefighting scholarship

Scholarships are bound to have many eligible applicants, with the scholarship awards only going to the most deserving students. To boost your chances of winning, apply for scholarships that are the best fit for you.

Most scholarships may ask you to write an essay or answer a given prompt as part of the requirements. Be ready to talk about your desire to help others and how important public safety is to you. Finding scholarships that best fit your experience and interests can help make your essay more personal.

Don't be discouraged if you don't win the scholarship you applied for. Instead, keep applying for more! You may find a scholarship that's a better fit for you than the last. Scholarships with more specific requirements will have a smaller pool of eligible students. You'll have a greater chance of winning the scholarship award if you apply for a more niche type.

Best firefighting scholarships

Here, you'll find the best scholarships available exclusively on Bold.org for firefighting.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only 33% of the total number of U.S. firefighters in 2019 were career firefighters. The majority, at 67%, were actually all firefighters who were volunteers. In fact, 14% of the fire departments registered in the U.S. Fire Administration are career or mostly career, while 86% are volunteer or mostly volunteer departments.

The benefits of being a volunteer firefighter include giving back to your community, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and gaining real-world experience. A great scholarship for volunteer firefighters is the Bold Community Activist Scholarship.

To uphold public safety, firefighters have to have certain qualities such as courage, bravery, and dedication. Such heroic characteristics can be rewarded by applying to scholarships such as the Bold Mentor Scholarship or the Bold Bravery Scholarship.

To become a firefighter, you must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. However, there are scholarships that are applicable for future firefighters that are high school seniors. Any future firefighters should apply for the Jimmy Cardenas Community Leader Scholarship.

New scholarships are being added on Bold.org constantly. Be sure to come back and check for new opportunities, or discover over types of scholarships for firefighters.

Other types of scholarships for firefighters

It is always good practice to utilize all the financial resources available to you. As a firefighter, there are many other scholarship opportunities to receive funding for your tuition. Bold.org has general scholarships or merit-based scholarships that are generally applicable to the public, including firefighters.

On Bold.org, you can also find scholarships for the children of firefighters to help pay for their higher education. Dependent children still in high school with a firefighter parent can apply for the McAllen Emergency Room Student Scholarship.

Firefighters can also use other sources of financial aid. Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have access to several of their scholarship programs. IAFF members can apply for these scholarships to pay for educational costs.

Frequently asked questions about firefighting scholarships

How to find firefighting scholarships

Students can find scholarships by searching the Bold.org scholarships page and browsing the "Public Safety" category using the filters. Depending on your background, students may even be able to apply for scholarships in other categories. Other relevant or more general scholarship awards can be found on Bold.org.

Completing the FAFSA form also determines your eligibility for federal student aid and federal financial aid programs, such as the Pell Grant. The FAFSA also determines eligibility for annual scholarships awarded to support students attending an accredited college.

Firefighters who are college students should also contact the financial aid office at their university about any scholarship opportunities. Be sure to try all of your options and utilize all of the resources and services available to you.

When can I start applying?

It is never too late or too early to apply. Entry-level positions at firefighting departments require at least a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. However, high school seniors can plan ahead by applying for scholarships for future firefighters.

Most firefighters are middle-aged, with 50% of firefighters being between 30 and 49 years old. Whether you have recently started college or have already long since earned your degree, anyone with student debt is an eligible applicant for scholarships on Bold.org.

Be sure to check the application deadline and eligibility criteria for the scholarship you are interested in, and if there are any limits on education level.

Can volunteer firefighters and future firefighters get scholarships?

Yes, volunteers or future firefighters can still receive financial aid through firefighting scholarships. There are always scholarships available that may be a better fit for you than another. We encourage you to try applying to the scholarships listed on this page or to explore the Bold.org scholarships page for other opportunities you qualify for.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?

Eligibility is simple to check on Bold.org. Each scholarship will have a clear list of all eligibility requirements in the description. If your profile matches those requirements, then you'll be eligible to apply. If your profile information does not match the list of requirements, Bold.org may block you from applying for that scholarship. That's why it's important to fully complete your profile information.

Some scholarships may include in the eligibility requirements that the scholarship is exclusive to a specific education level, college major, SAT score, etc. The more specific the eligibility requirements are, the less competition there will be and the higher your chances are of earning the scholarship.