Volunteer firefighters to receive scholarships

August 9 is the deadline for volunteer fire department and ambulance squads to nominate new recruits for college scholarships offered by New York state as an incentive to boost membership in these vital community organizations.

Each volunteer fire company and ambulance squad may submit one scholarship application to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).

The Governor recently signed a budget bill that creates the volunteer recruitment service scholarship program and complements a statewide membership drive that volunteer fire and ambulance companies launched last year.

As part of the 2002-03 State budget, $2 million has been appropriated for these scholarships of up to $3,400 a year for eligible candidates to attend public or private colleges starting this fall. The $3,400 scholarship will cover tuition at virtually all two-year and four-year State colleges and universities.

Applicants also must:

•Be high school graduates and enroll in an accredited undergraduate degree program, taking at least 12 credits if they are full-time students. Part-time students must take between six and 11 credits a semester;

•Scholarship applicants older than 23 must have joined the volunteer fire or EMS company within six months of the date they receive the scholarship;

•Applicants younger than 23 do not have length-of-service restrictions;

•Be New York state residents for at least a year, and be enrolled in an approved undergraduate degree program;

•Must attend college within 50 miles of the volunteer organization, or if no college is located within 50 miles, then the nearest college;

•Must maintain a "C" average and apply for all other state and federal financial aid;

•Must be an active member of the volunteer squad while they receive the scholarship.

Applications and information packages have been sent to all volunteer fire and ambulance companies across the state. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than can be filled with the $2 million appropriation.