Columbia Southern University and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up to offer two scholarships to members of the NVFC to attend Columbia Southern University. One scholarship will be awarded towards a bachelor's degree and the other for an associate's degree. Both scholarships are for two years, including tuition and textbooks. The recipients will be selected through a competitive application process and can use the scholarship towards any of the fields of study offered by Columbia Southern University.
Columbia Southern University is a premier online university for distance learning, offering a wide range of accredited degree programs, open enrollment, and a flexible schedule designed to accommodate your busy life. Students can choose from online associate, bachelor, master, doctoral, or certificate programs in a variety of fields including fire science, business administration, criminal justice administration, human resource management, and more. The self-paced programs make earning a degree possible for those with even the most demanding schedules.
"We are extremely excited to partner with Columbia Southern University to offer these two scholarship opportunities to our members," said NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer. "Volunteer firefighters are very busy people, juggling the fire service, full-time jobs, family, and other responsibilities. Many of these dedicated individuals want to pursue a degree but simply don't think they have the time. Columbia Southern University is designed for people with busy schedules and works with them to ensure they can fit a quality education around all of their other commitments."
Interested candidates must submit a completed scholarship application form, two letters of recommendation, and an up to 500 word essay on this subject: "The Importance of This Scholarship to My Personal, Professional, and/or Educational Growth, and How It Will Benefit My Current or Future Involvement in the Volunteer Fire Service." Application packets must be received by June 15, 2009. Application forms and criteria are available at www.nvfc.org/csu.
As a NVFC partner, Columbia Southern University also offers NVFC members a 10 percent tuition discount and application fee waiver. Spouses and children are also eligible for these special benefits. Learn more by visiting www.columbiasouthern.edu/alliances.
