Westchester Volunteer Higher Education Recruitment and Retention Opportunities
Citizen volunteers are often called on to respond to emergency situations in Westchester County. Due to a variety of factors, Westchester County volunteer fire departments and volunteer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies are currently experiencing a critical need to recruit and retain members.
As an incentive for Westchester County residents to serve at volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services (DES), has developed a program of recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency services agencies. The program is designed to provide tuition or student loan reimbursement to volunteers for their service in the County.
In exchange for the fulfillment of established service requirements in a Westchester County volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, volunteer fire district, or volunteer EMS agency located within the County, volunteers enrolled as full-time or part-time students are eligible for tuition reimbursement based on a grade point average (GPA) of “C” or better (2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale). To be eligible for student loan reimbursement, the volunteer must be an active member of the volunteer agency for at least one full year and must disclose the total amount of the outstanding student loan balance.
There are no restrictions as to the type of academic coursework the volunteer may choose to pursue.
General information
The H.E.R.R.O. program will be administered by the Department of Emergency Services. Volunteers are eligible for up to $4,000 annually in tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance. To be eligible, a H.E.R.R.O. applicant must be an active member of a volunteer fire department, fire company, fire district, or EMS agency for one year. Volunteers must maintain acceptable volunteer activity and training levels as set forth by the County during their entire course of study. Active volunteer emergency services personnel can qualify for tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment assistance.
An applicant’s department or agency will have to verify that these training and service requirements have been met. Send an e-mail to
Program Deadlines: Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Please adhere to the application submission deadlines below. 2025 are as follows.
- Spring Semester: June 6, 2025
- Fall Semester: December 31, 2025
H.E.R.R.O. PROGRAM DOCUMENTS: Please read the program guidance carefully as the program has changed.
If you are applying for tuition reimbursement you will need the following forms:
- Appendix A: Tuition Reimbursement Application
- Appendix C: Volunteer Service Commitment Form (must be submitted with each application)
- Appendix D: Sponsoring Agency Tracking Form (must be submitted with each application)
- Appendix E: Federal Form W-9: Please ensure you sign this document before sending.
- Appendix F: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Vendor Direct Payment Authorization: Section I must be completed by the applicant. If you are affixing a copy of a canceled check you do not need to fill out Section II. If you do not have a canceled check, please have your bank complete and sign Section II.
If you are applying for student loan reimbursement you will need the following forms:
- Appendix B: Student Loan Reimbursement Application
- Appendix C: Volunteer Service Commitment Form (must be submitted with each application)
- Appendix D: Sponsoring Agency Tracking Form (must be submitted with each application)
- Appendix E: Federal Form W-9: Please ensure you sign this document before sending.
- Appendix F: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Vendor Direct Payment Authorization: Section I must be completed by the applicant. If you are affixing a copy of a canceled check you do not need to fill out Section II. If you do not have a canceled check, please have your bank complete and sign Section II.