The fire service can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to get in to! We have a TON of resources we would like to share with folks to take away some of that unknown. If the financial costs is a limiting factor to get into the fire service, know there are a lot of ways to remove some of the cost.

Study.com has created a comprehensive guide for first responders and their families to provide them with critical information about how they can find financial aid and scholarships especially intended for them. The Scholarship Guide was designed with the goal to make sure first responders can afford their college education. This guide offers in-depth information in several areas, including:

•        Specific scholarships for firefighters and EMTs

•            Other scholarships for children of first responders

•       Alternative ways to finance a college degree

Grants & Scholarships Program

Grants and scholarships are considered on a bi-annual basis by the Foundation’s board of directors. Please note that the maximum amount to be awarded per winning applicant is $1,000. All applicants will be notified of the board’s final decision two weeks after the close of the grant deadline.

Application Deadlines

All applications must be submitted by email to Adam Nelson, Kelmann Cares Treasurer, at apnelson@kelmann.com  or by mail to the following address and received by the appropriate grant period deadline.

Kelmann Cares Foundation
ATTN: Adam Nelson
12001 W Dearbourn Ave.
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

Platinum Educational Group Continues to Support Health Professional Students

Scholarships for EMS, Nursing, and Allied Health Students for 2022

 GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Platinum Educational Group, the Testing, Scheduling, Competency Tracking, and Compliance Reporting Experts, understands the struggles and obstacles that are presented to students obtaining higher education in the healthcare industry. In 2015, Platinum Educational Group launched its inaugural scholarship program geared at EMS students. In 2016, the company expanded its product line to include the Nursing and Allied Health fields. It seemed only fitting to expand its scholarship program to include the hardworking and dedicated students in those fields as well. Platinum is proud to continue offering $1000 scholarships in each of those professions in 2022.

 Platinum’s goal is to provide students entering the EMS, Nursing, and Allied Health fields with assistance in funding his or her early higher education. This scholarship is intended for students in certificate or undergraduate degree programs.  Platinum Educational Group CEO, Jason Jensen, states “Our annual scholarship program is something we get excited about at Platinum.  Some people struggle with enrolling in healthcare programs due to financial hardship and we are grateful to be able to provide these awards.”

 There are three scholarships offered and are one-time awards. Potential candidates interested in applying need to fit the criteria below and have all images and paperwork submitted by July 29th, 2022, at www.platinumed.com/scholarships. All three scholarships will be decided and recorded via a random drawing using the www.random.org website and awardees will be announced on August 3rd, 2022. Each Scholarship award is for $1000 and will be given directly to the awardee’s institution.

 Guidelines to be eligible for the 2022 scholarship offerings:

•  Applicant must be enrolled in a certificate or undergraduate EMS, Nursing, or Allied Health program at the time of awards distribution on August 3, 2022.

• Follow and accept all scholarship contest rules including photos

• Provide proof of enrollment if awarded a scholarship

“This year we are going in a different direction,” said Platinum’s Director of Marketing, Jeremy Johnson. He added, “Instead of requiring essays for our scholarships, we are asking potential awardees to post a picture on their social media platforms with specific hashtags and submit the link to our website.”  He also noted, “We wanted to make our 2022 scholarships as easy, fun, and engaging as possible.”

KCS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Kristin Ciganek-Schroeder Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 to honor the memory of Lieutenant Kristin Ciganek-Schroeder and support women training for a career in the fire service. Lieutenant Ciganek was a proud member of the Milwaukee Fire Department for 15 years. She served her community for 13 years as a firefighter and for 2 years as a fire lieutenant. Lieutenant Ciganek was diagnosed with duty-related cancer in August 2012 at the age of 43, and she was forced to retire from the job she loved. She passed away in December 2017 at the age of 47.

Click on Image for link to Scholarship page

Scholarship Opportunities through the IAFF

The IAFF offers a few different scholarship opportunities. The site also has additional opportunities listed.