Scholarships
2026 Scholarships Now Open!
The Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association Foundation is excited to announce its 2026 Scholarship Programs. This year the Foundation is offering 4 scholarship opportunities:
The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Foundation Scholarship Program was developed to offer financial assistance to full-time students enrolled or enrolling in a Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and/or Management degree program from an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
The individual scholarships are made possible by generous donations made by the Blooming Grove Fire Department Alumni, the Rock County Fire Officers Association, and funds raised through the WSFCA Annual Conference Golf Outing each year.
For 2026 there are five (5) scholarships available. Each will award the recipient $500 per semester, up to $1,000 for one academic year, towards the attainment of an applicable degree as described below. The recipients will be selected on a competitive basis based on the specific criteria described below for each scholarship.
The WSFCA-Foundation Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipients. All decisions made by the committee are final.
The recipients must submit proof of their accepted enrollment in the fall, 2026 semester for the applicable degree program prior to actual award payment. Awards are not retroactive and may not be credited to semesters already completed. After verification of enrollment, a check for $500 will be given directly to the scholarship recipient at the beginning of each semester during the award year, up to two semesters. Second semester funding is contingent on successful academic advancement from semester one requirements and eligibility to advance to second semester course work. Award recipients must provide a semester one transcript and letter from the program director or designee as verification of academic standing and eligibility for advancement.
General Scholarship Rules:
1. Applicant must comply with the admission requirements for a full-time students enrolled in a degree program eligible under the specific scholarship program rules at an accredited Wisconsin college or university.
2. TO APPLY:
a. Complete and submit a Scholarship Application in its entirety online at wsfca.com.
b. Enclose three letters of recommendation from three separate sources, which may include, but are not limited to: school counselors, administrators, teachers, community members, civic organizations, emergency services organizations (e.g.: fire, EMS, emergency management or law enforcement), and/or employers.
c. Enclose an official high school transcript and/or college transcript. (Not required for Continuing Education scholarship applicants)
d. Enclose a recent photo for use in the WSCFA “Fire Chief” magazine announcing the award recipient.
e. Failure to comply with application and program instructions and requirements may result in ineligibility.
f. Scholarship applications can be completed online at wsfca.com, or mailed to: WSFCA Foundation (11801 W Silver Spring Drive, Ste 200, Milwaukee, WI 53225).
Applications and all required materials must be submitted and/or received by the WSFCA-F by close of business on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Awardees will be notified in early June. Awardees will be invited to accept their award at the WSFCA Foundation President’s dinner at the Baird Center in the Milwaukee on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Attendance at the dinner is optional and does not affect eligibility for award.
If you have any questions, please call WSFCA Foundation Executive Director Randall Pickering at (608) 332-9462 or email [email protected].
Blooming Grove Alumni Scholarship
The Blooming Grove Alumni Scholarship is for someone pursuing an Associate Degree in Fire Science and/or Emergency Medical Services who is from the Dane County or south central Wisconsin area. Applicants who are enrolling or continuing in an Associate Degree program at Madison College will be given priority in the evaluation process.
The Blooming Grove Fire Department (BGFD) Alumni Scholarship was established in 2016 by a $50,000 donation from the Blooming Grove Fire Department Alumni and Town of Blooming Grove. It's purpose is to provide funding for the advancement of fire and EMS education among those students pursuing degree-granting programs specific to fire and EMS academic programs from accredited colleges or universities.
The Blooming Grove Fire Department (BGFD) Alumni Scholarship offered through the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Foundation (WSFCA-F) was developed to offer financial assistance to full-time students or adult learners enrolled in a Fire Services degree program from an accredited college or university.
This scholarship will award the recipient $500 per semester, up to $1,000 for one academic year, towards the attainment of a Fire and/or EMS Service degree. The recipient will be selected on a competitive basis. Any Wisconsin state resident that has applied for admission into, is accepted into, or is enrolled in, a fire or EMS services degree program at an accredited college or university is eligible. Preference will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria:
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From Dane county
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Show economic need
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Have achieved high academic standing
The recipient must submit proof of his/her enrollment in, or application to, a fire and/or EMS services degree program at an accredited college or university. Final award will be made only after verification of enrollment into a fire and/or EMS services degree program at an accredited college or university. Awards are not retroactive and may not be credited to semesters already completed. Recipient must be enrolled in the fall, 2025 semester. After verification of enrollment, a check for $500 will be given directly to the scholarship recipient at the beginning of each semester during the award year, up to two semesters. Second semester funding is contingent on successful academic advancement from semester one requirements and eligibility to advance to second semester course work. Award recipient must provide a semester one transcript and letter from the program director or designee as verification of academic standing and eligibility for advancement.
If you have any questions, please call WSFCA Foundation Executive Director Randall Pickering at (608) 332-9462 or email [email protected].
The scholarship will be given one time per year. Students may apply and receive scholarships in multiple years.
Award winner(s) will be notified in early June. Winner(s) will be invited to accept their award at the WSFCA Annual Golf Outing or the Foundation President's dinner. Attendance at the golf outing and/or dinner is optional, and does not affect eligibility for award.
Rock County Fire Officers Association Scholarship
The Rock County Fire Officer’s Association Scholarship is for someone pursuing an Associate Degree in Fire Science and/or Emergency Medical Services who is from the Rock County or south central Wisconsin area. Applicants who are enrolling or continuing in an Associate Degree program at Blackhawk Technical College will be given priority in the evaluation process.
WSFCA-F Statewide Fire Science Degree Scholarship
The WSFCA-F Statewide Scholarship is for someone pursuing an Associate Degree in Fire Science and/or Emergency Medical Services at the Technical College level anywhere in Wisconsin. Applicants from communities whose local Fire and/or EMS provider is an active WSFCA Member will be given priority in the evaluation process.
WSFCA-F Statewide Continuing Education Scholarship
The WSFCA-Foundation is extremely excited to announce a statewide Continuing Education scholarships for individuals already employed in the emergency services who are returning to school to pursue an Associate, Bachelor, or Masters’ Degree in an applicable program offered at a Wisconsin two or four-year institution. Such programs may include, but are not limited to, Fire Science, Fire and Emergency Services Management, Leadership and Organizational Development, Public Administration, etc.
Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Foundation
11801 W Silver Spring Drive, Ste 200, Milwaukee, WI 53225
About WSFCA Foundation
The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Foundation was established to promote and facilitate the education of Wisconsin fire service personnel with fireground command and control responsibilities to enable them to perform their duties efficiently and effectively, with particular emphasis on first responder safety. The goal of the Foundation is to do everything possible to ensure "everyone goes home safely, every call, every day".
For more information, contact:
Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Foundation
11801 W Silver Spring Drive, Ste 200, Milwaukee, WI 53225
