Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program

Communities across Pennsylvania have been facing a growing crisis in attracting volunteer first responders. The reduction in volunteers has led to many fire and emergency medical service companies reducing available services. The Pennsylvania legislature established the Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program in 2022 to help emergency services recruit, retain, and provide educational assistance to those individuals willing to put their lives on the line for their fellow Pennsylvanians. This program provides assistance to active volunteers that qualify based on their service and other criteria.

Am I Eligible?

To be considered for the Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program, you must:

  • Be a resident of Pennsylvania.
  • Be enrolled in a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning as determined by PHEAA.
    • Graduate or doctoral degree programs are also eligible for this funding.
  • Be an active volunteer in good standing in a Pennsylvania volunteer fire company or emergency medical service agency.

Applicants must also meet active participation requirements for 1 year prior to applying for the program. Active participation includes:

  • Training
  • Drills
  • Calls
  • Administrative and operational support
  • Fundraising
  • Any other events or projects that aid in the financial viability of the volunteer organization

Active volunteers must have participated in 30% of all sponsored volunteer company activities. If the participant is a student, the active volunteer must have participated in 15% of all sponsored volunteer company activities.

For questions regarding what events may aid in the financial viability of the organization, please refer to your chief or supervisor.

How Do I Apply?

You must submit a 2024-25 Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Application. This application includes a certification section for the volunteer fire or emergency medical service company to complete.

Applicants must also complete an Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program Master Promissory Note (MPN) which commits the individual to repaying the funding received if they do not fulfill the required 5-year commitment to a volunteer organization.

All Active Volunteer Applications and MPNs for the 2024-25 academic year are due by May 1, 2025.

NOTE: Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program applicants are not required to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA®) or PA State Grant Program to be eligible.

After You Apply

We will email you a notification of student eligibility at the address provided. Awards will be provided to students who apply and are qualified on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards are based on the date we receive your completed application and MPN, and we will continue until all program funding has been exhausted.

How Much Can I Expect to Receive?

Enrollment Award per Academic Year
Full-Time Students $1,000
Less-Than-Full-Time Students $500