NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Scholarship for
NYS EMS and Fire Volunteers

NEW DEADLINE -  APPLICATIONS  DUE  MAY 1st !

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has announced the renewal of a statewide Volunteer Recruitment Scholarship program aimed at volunteer EMS providers and firefighters.  HESC is the state agency that administers the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), guarantees student loans and administers the College Savings program for students and families. This scholarship program, initially funded in 2002, has been renewed in the state budget for 2008-2009.

Although volunteer organizations participating in New York's Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship program are authorized to develop their own selection criteria, their policies must comply with the program's legal requirements. 

 The successful nominee MUST:

• Have been New York State residents for at least one (1) year
• Are enrolled in an approved undergraduate degree program in New York State.
• Have a course load of at least six (6) credits per term
• If 23 years of age or older, have less than six (6) months of volunteer service at time of initial award
• If under 23 years of age, no minimum or maximum time of volunteer service is required at time of initial award
• Are not in possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher
• Are attending a college/institution within 50 miles of volunteer organization, or if no college is available within 50-mile limit, the nearest college/institution. Program of study is not a determining factor. 
  NOTE - An exception may be made if the applicant enters in to a joint service agreement with his/her volunteer company and another volunteer company whose service area contains the applicant's school.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have applied for state and federal financial aid

The agency MUST submit a copy of its selection criteria for nominating potential scholarship recipients by MAY 1st. 

The criteria MUST include the above mentioned legal requirements. Failure to follow this directive may result in the disqualification of new nominees.

Each agency is responsible for selecting a candidate for this program and submitting him or her to HESC for consideration prior to the deadline.  The scholarships will then be awarded by HESC.

ALL ELIGIBLE AGENCIES ARE MAILED THE APPLICATION FORMS IN MARCH.

If you have not received this information from the state, see the check the  HESC webpage for the scholarship containing many frequently asked questions (FAQs) :

•  http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/2/NYS_Volunteer_Recruitment_Service_Scholarship

• 2008 Application Form and Instructions

Please contact HESC if you have any questions about this program.

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