Erie County Emergency Medical Services Scholarship Guidelines

Scholarship Details:
Erie County has committed to ensuring all residents who wish to pursue a career in the field of emergency medical services have access to do so, without financial barriers. This scholarship, created by Erie County, intends to provide students with the opportunity to attend an academic institution, resulting in an emergency medical services certification.
Eligible applicants include Erie County residents pursuing an EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic Certification, who can furnish proof of acceptance to their designated program.
Application and Acceptance Process:
Prospective EMS certification students will submit their application to Erie County using the following link: https://eriecountypa.submittable.com/submit. The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development and the Erie County Department of Public Safety will review applications and designate awards.
If a student is selected for a scholarship award, they will be sent a formal award letter stating their scholarship amount. Erie County will send an electronic copy of a Scholarship Award Acceptance Form to the awarded student and a Scholarship Agreement to the chosen educational institution. Once all documents are signed and accepted, Erie County will release funds to the educational institution to cover the student’s tuition costs.
Conditions of the Scholarship:
• Scholarship recipients who complete EMT and AEMT courses MUST secure and maintain EMS employment in Erie County for at least one year; otherwise, the scholarship must be paid back in its entirety.
• Scholarship recipients who achieve Paramedic certification MUST secure and maintain EMS employment in Erie County for at least two years; otherwise, the scholarship must be paid back in its entirety.
• If certification is not possible, the recipient can fulfill the work requirement by volunteering with a volunteer fire department or EMS agency in Erie County for one year.
Eligible Applicants must:
• Live in Erie County
• Work or volunteer with an EMS or Fire agency in Erie County
• Show proof of acceptance to an EMS program at an educational institution
Scholarships will:
• Pay full tuition for an EMS program (EMT, AEMT, Paramedic)
• Cover the cost of books and extra fees
• Not exceed $10,000
Grant Timeline:
• Applications open on November 1, 2025
• Applications will be open until grant funds are exhausted
150 E. Front St., Suite 300, Erie PA 16507 | Phone: 814-451-6336 | Toll free: 800-352-0026 TTY: