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Scholarships

If you are interested in pursuing a career in EMS and are looking to further your education, scholarships can open up that possibility! There are a variety of scholarships available specifically for EMS students in the state of Wisconsin and nationally. Some are provided through associations and grants, and others can be found through specific EMS departments.  When applying for scholarships, be sure to read the eligibility requirements carefully and submit your application on time. Below is a compiled list of some of the scholarships that are available to you.

WEMSA Foundation Scholarship

Every year, the Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) Foundation provides $1,000 scholarships to eligible students pursuing licensure in EMS through an approved Wisconsin training center. Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 - 2026 academic year!

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For Active & Prospective
First Responders

 

Fitch EMS Foundation - EMS Specific Leadership Training

Deadline: Mar 15, 2025
Apply

Fitch & Associates will provide scholarships for the following programs: Ambulance Service Manager (ASM) and Communications Center Manager (CCM) certificate programs and the 2024 Pinnacle EMS Leadership Forum.

Fitch EMS Foundation - American College of Paramedic Executives

Deadline: Mar 15, 2025
$1,000     Apply

The American College of Paramedic Executives (ACPE), is the credentialing body that offers voluntary professional certifications to qualified EMS leaders.The ACPE will provide a waiver of certification fees for the Foundation’s award winner for an applicant that meets the certification criteria in each of the following categories:

  • Supervising Paramedic Officer (SPO)
  • Managing Paramedic Officer (MPO)
  • Executive Paramedic Officer (FACPE – Fellow of the College of Paramedic Executives)

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Scholarship

Deadline: April 15, 2025
$5,000     Apply

Community applicants to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Scholarship Program must:

  • Be high school seniors or graduates, or current college undergraduates, and
  • Plan to enroll in a part-time or full-time firefighter, law enforcement, or an emergency medical (paramedic or EMT) program at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year and
  • Plan to pursue a career as a first responder; firefighter, police officer, paramedic or EMT.

NAEMT Foundation Scholarships
for EMR & EMT Schooling

Deadline: April 30, 2025
$1,000     Apply

Applicant must submit a letter of request, in 1,000 words or less, that describes why he or she is pursuing educational scholarship, his or her educational and employment goals, and how the scholarship would be of benefit.
The following criteria will be used in the scholarship selection process:

  • Commitment to entering the EMS profession
  • Financial need
  • Dedication to the community
  • Ability to serve as a positive ambassador to the EMS profession

NAEMT Columbia Southern University Scholarships

Deadline: May 31st & October 31, 2025
   Apply

Exclusive NAEMT scholarship at Columbia Southern University will cover up to 60 credit hours toward one online degree program. The scholarship will be applied directly to the recipient’s tuition for up to three years or until the completion of the selected online degree program, whichever comes first. Plus, full members receive a 15% tuition discount on online courses. Proof of full NAEMT membership is required. 

NAEMT EMS Scholarships

Deadline: June 15 & September 15, 2025
   Apply

The following scholarship opportunities are offered twice yearly to coincide with the fall-winter and spring-summer school semesters. View Details and Guidelines

  • First Responders (to become EMT-Basic) – up to $500 each
  • EMT-Basic (to become EMT-Paramedic) – up to $5,000 each
  • Paramedics (to advance education in the realm of EMS) – up to $2,000 each

Bound Tree Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 25, 2025
$2,000     Apply

Applicants must submit a single page typewritten essay explaining why they wish to pursue an EMT career or to further their training. Applicants must be the son or daughter of a career or volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, or Firefighter (active, formerly active, retired or deceased) who is interested in a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Bryant Gladney Paramedic Education Scholarship

Deadline: July 1, 2025
$1,500     Apply

The Bryant Gladney Paramedic Education Scholarship is for students who are attending a program to become a Paramedic. They are looking for students who display a strong passion for serving their community and who plan to pursue a life-long career in emergency medicine. They award four $1,500 scholarships per semester. Applications for fall programs (Aug.-Dec.) are due July 1. Applications for spring programs (Jan.-May) are due December 1. Applications for the fall open in May, and applications for spring open in October.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and live in the United States. Applicants must have completed high school or received a GED and must be accepted into a Paramedic program at a college or university, or a program as part of a non-profit organization, which must be in the United States. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,500. Scholarships are for tuition only, and will be paid directly to the Bursar at the program. Approved scholarships cannot be used for fees outside of tuition, including but not limited to books, supplies, lab fees or registration fees. 

Annuvia’s Public Safety Scholarship

Deadline: July 31, 2025
$500     Apply

The scholarship is open to legal residents of the United States of America, who are 18 years of age or older as of the date of enrollment at his or her educational institution, who are not employees or direct relatives of employees of Annuvia and who are attending a college or other post-secondary educational institution on a full-time basis. Essay: You must submit an original 500+ word essay. Write an essay about how you propose the emergency medical services industry improve public safety, emergency response, or general public safety. Your essay should incorporate facts and details and, where possible, accurate industry research and information.

Gold Cross Ambulance Scholarship

Deadline: December 1, 2025
$1,000     Apply

Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in a paramedic training program at Fox Valley Technical College, Lakeshore Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College or Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Preference may be given to students enrolled in an associate degree paramedic program.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

  • A minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Volunteer or other experience in health-related fields
  • Community service
  • Financial need

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to two students. It must be used for tuition and is non-renewable. The award is payable after successful completion of the first semester.

Kelmann Cares Foundation Grants & Scholarship Program

Deadline: December 1, 2025
$1,000     Apply

Grants 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 Deadline: December 1, 2025
Applicants will be notified of the board’s decision by December 15, 2025.

Foster Love American Industries Scholarship

Deadline: May 30, 2025
$10,000     Apply

Foster Love and the Milligan Family Foundation offer this incredible scholarship program tailored to elevating the experiences of current and former foster youth across America. The American Industries Trade Scholarship offers a powerful opportunity, granting up to $10,000 in academic funding over two years to help foster youth overcome financial hurdles in earning a trade certification or vocational degree. Beyond financial aid, this scholarship stands as a pillar of support for young individuals, fostering their personal, emotional, and social growth. Must be pursuing a trade (including EMT).

Parker Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2025
$2,000     Apply

Certifications and education programs provide opportunities and credibility for rural government employees, underprivileged citizens, and veterans seeking to start a career in the information technology (IT), medical, first responder, and emergency management fields. Being certified and educated by a reputable institution allows anyone to stand out from the crowd and be more likely to succeed in their positions and obtain a better quality of life.

   

For Children of First Responders

 

March 15, 2025 

9/11 Promise Run

$5,000     Apply

The 9/11 Promise Run provides scholarships to qualified children of first responders and military service members who have been killed or injured and are unable to hold employment. Starting in 2019, participants of the 9/11 Promise events fundraise for scholarships that positively impact the lives of children and families impacted by the loss of their loved one. Scholarship amounts range from a minimum award of $5,000 to a max award of $15,000.

May 15, 2025

First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarship

Apply

For the past 24 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has awarded college scholarships to children of first responders. Applicant must be the biological, adopted or step-child of a police officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic or 911 dispatcher. Applicants who are the child of a deceased first responder must have been conceived prior to the death or total and permanent disability of the eligible first responder.

 

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list, but if you are aware of any scholarships related to first responders and people interested in EMS that are not currently listed, contact us to have it added.