Tuition assistance offered for volunteer firefighters

UTICA – On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York President David Jacobowitz and MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner were joined by local fire officials and firefighters to announce the FASNY Higher Education Learning Plan.

The FASNY HELP program, as it is being called, is designed to aid current or future volunteer firefighters with community college tuition throughout New York State.

“Firefighters in New York State come from every geographic location and every socioeconomic background, every walk of life. Much like the students served at community college like Mohawk Valley,” said VanWagoner.

“So it brings me great hope to see FASNY investing in the educational prospects of firefighters who mean so much to their communities and to our workforce.”

FASNY reported on Wednesday that the number of volunteer firemen has significantly decreased throughout the state. Years past, FASNY reported more than 130,000 volunteer firemen in the state; that number has dropped to 88,000.

“We are very proud to be investing in the education of volunteer firemen,” Jacobowitz said. “We want you, the volunteer fireman, to participate in this program, get an education and stay in this area.”

According to Jacobowitz, the tuition aid can be as much as $2,500 per semester.

As part of the program, student volunteers must attend the closest community college or one within a 50-mile radius of their residence. This allows the students to remain in the community in which they volunteer. The student must also maintain a passing grade.

If a student receives a 4.0 GPA, the program would provide their entire tuition. For a grade of 3.0, 85 percent of the tuition is paid for and for a 2.0, 75 percent of the tuition is paid.

The deadline for applying to the HELP program is Oct. 1. FASNY and MVCC urged volunteer firemen across the state to fill their application forms out quickly.