Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch (R-Bainbridge) is reminding all area community college students about the tuition reimbursement program from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) called the Higher Education Learning Program (HELP). The tuition reimbursement program, HELP, provides tuition reimbursement to students who are volunteer firefighters and attending college for up to 80 credit hours. The deadline to apply for the fall semester is October 1.
“The HELP tuition program is a great incentive and program for student-volunteers to serve their communities but to also receive reimbursement for continuing their higher education,” said Crouch. “Courage, honor and pride – these are some of the qualities that are characteristic of our volunteer firefighters that our communities depend on to keep our families safe. Since New York’s volunteer fire departments are currently experiencing a critical need to recruit and retain members, this is a perfect program to take advantage of.”
Under FASNY HELP, student-volunteers are eligible to have up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining their grades and fulfilling defined service requirements. They must also be a “member in good standing” in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies during both their school years and service payback period. The FASNY HELP program is made possible through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Beginning this year, the program will also include online courses through Empire State College. To apply, candidates must first complete their local fire department’s membership process and then submit FASNY’s Volunteer Fire Department Commitment form.
For information on the program and how to apply:
Visit: http://www.fasny.com/index.php/resources/fasny-help/
Email: HELP@fasny.com
Call Toll Free: (855) 367-6933