STRIVE Tuition Reimbursement Program

Throughout Idaho, firefighters and communities are at risk because of the lack of volunteer firefighters to adequately protect people and property from fire and fire-related hazards. The IVFESA recruitment and retention plan has a goal of increasing the number of qualified active volunteers in Idaho's fire service. The first component of the program entails a State Tuition Reimbursement as Incentive for Volunteer Emergency Responders (STRIVE). The goal of the program is to retain current emergency responders and attract new volunteers to the fire service. STRIVE will offer tuition reimbursement for up to 500 current and new volunteer emergency responders throughout the 4 year grant period. Eligible participants will receive higher education tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per year for every 2 years that they commit to membership in a volunteer fire or EMS department.

Program eligibility

The program encourages residents to stay in their communities for higher education. Guidelines provide a strategic plan to increase commitment levels to the department while maintaining standards in education curriculum. On-going minimum requirements must be met for program eligibility:

• Active volunteer in good standing with department and respond to 25% of calls.
• Meet academic requirements of the state institution with at least 2.5 GPA.
• Agree to the Administration Guide for program with stipulations if the individual fails to fulfill his or her obligation.
• Field of curriculum to be chosen by participant, and may include Fire Science.
• 10% will be awarded to women and minorities first.

Please review the Administrative Guide and list of schools participating in this program, by selecting one of the links below. Additionally an application form can be submitted by selecting the application form link at the bottom of this page.

Administrative Guide
List Of Participating Schools
Application Form STRIVE Tuition Reimbursement Form