Fire Science Scholarships
Careers as Inspectors, Firefighters and Investigators
Students interested in pursuing degrees in Fire Science or Fire Engineering typically are engaged in curricula associated with the science of fire, fire investigation and current methods for fighting and preventing fires. Related coursework may involve hazardous materials or medical trauma courses.
Professionals in the field may work as fire fighters or investigators in an array of environments that employ particular specialties. For example fire inspectors may work in urban and industrial environments where strict attention to handling of volatile materials is a concern, and others may work in forest fire prevention and investigation.
Specialists may go on to work in government and high-level investigative positions, administrative positions and even in research.
Scholarship Programs
The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) sponsors a number of scholarships designed for working firefighters and students who need financial help covering costs for fire science programs. Applicants may be volunteer or professional level firefighters. Candidates must be able to articulate in an essay their career goals in Fire Science or a related field as well as demonstrate financial need. Scholarships range from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand and vary with funding and number of eligible applicants. Scholarship funds are made possible by corporate sponsors.
Maryland State Firemen's Association sponsors a half-dozen or so scholarships designed to encourage and support students pursuing degrees in Fire Science or Fire Engineering programs at a college or university in Maryland. Scholarships include:
- Nextel Scholarship is named after the company that funds the program. Students in Fire Science programs may qualify for up to $2,000 in tuition assistance.
- Floyd Heimer Memorial Scholarship Awards offer qualified applicants up to $2,000 depending on funding.
- MSFA Dr. John Bryan Scholarship Award is funded by the organization based on current levels of funding. Awards are given to students pursuing Fire Science degrees.
Students enrolled in the Seminole Community College Fire Science program may qualify for scholarships. Awards are up to $1,000 and may be used for tuition and other expenses. Candidates must have at least a 2.5 GPA and be able to articulate career goals in an essay as well as provide letters of recommendation from faculty.
Fire Science students with a particular interest in working with forest fire programs may be interested in Colorado State University. The Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship offers the Jack Burrows and John Dieterich Scholarship in Fire and Atmospheric Science Scholarships. The program requires applicants to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and preference is given to students with field experience. Up to $2300 available.
Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon sponsors a number of important scholarships for students enrolled in their Fire Science degree program:
- Women and Ethnic Minorities Scholarship program is intended to boost the presence of underrepresented populations in Fire-related careers. Applicants must be enrolled in the Fire Science program. Awards are up to $1,000.
- Frank McVitty, Jr. Fire Fighters Scholarship awards $1100 for students in the program. Applicants must be at least sophomore level students to qualify.
- Albert Jones Memorial is awarded to academically talented students in the Fire Science program. Applicants must be from Clackamas County to qualify for the awards, up to $1500.
- W.H. Cravens Fire Science Scholarships are offered to students based on criteria other than academic talent. GPA of 2.0 is required, but applicants must be ready for a career in a Fire related career and be pursuing a degree in Fire Science.
