Local Volunteer Firefighters Encouraged To Apply For Tuition Aid Before Deadline

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, the Ranking Assembly Republican on the Assembly Higher Education Committee, is encouraging members of local volunteer fire departments to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program available through the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). FASNY has developed the Higher Education Learning Plan (FASNY HELP) to assist local student-volunteers as they pursue their higher education goals. The deadline to apply for the spring semester is February 3.

“FASNY’s HELP program is the perfect opportunity for local student-volunteers to be rewarded for the service they provide to our communities,” said Lupinacci. “Our fire departments are always in need of fresh, new volunteers, and this program is a great way to encourage people to join and pursue higher education. I want to especially thank all the outstanding first responders who selflessly give back to their community, and I strongly encourage them to take advantage of the program.”

The FASNY HELP program allows community college students to receive up to 100 percent tuition reimbursement for up to 80 credit hours while serving as volunteer firefighters and maintaining their grades. According to FASNY, the goal of the program is to help recruit and retain volunteers to fill a shortage left by the loss of more than 41,000 emergency volunteer workers over the years. To apply, candidates must first complete their local fire department’s volunteer membership process and the 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,
Attn: John D’Alessandro, Deputy Volunteer Programs Coordinator, or call FASNY toll free at (855) 367-6933.

The program was made possible through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the Department of Homeland Security.