First Responders Educational Scholarship

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has established a new scholarship program to support continued education and training for first responders in the United States. While discussing federal funding budget cuts that impact first responders and their access to training, SIA members and security professionals wanted to ease already fragile budgets by providing scholarship money to first responders. SIA’s Ride for Education was founded on this desire to improve educational opportunities within the industry. The annual motorcycle ride is now entering its fourth year and is held in conjunction with ISC Expo West in Las Vegas. SIA has created a solid base for the launch of the planned scholarship program and has raised over $25,000 to date.

The SIA First Responders Educational Scholarship is designed to supplement the resources needed to cover training expenses for first responders. Because municipal budgets are often limited and funds for training courses can be scarce, the scholarship program intends to promote learning opportunities when funds are not otherwise available. Scholarships are provided to volunteer or publicly paid first responders and are intended for security and life safety courses.

Scholarships will be awarded to volunteer or publicly paid first responders. All awards will be for the sole use of tuition and required materials for educational courses. The award is not designed to cover optional materials, travel expenses, incidentals, or educational initiatives unrelated to the work of first responders. The maximum award is $500; should tuition and required materials total less than that amount the excess funds may not be kept by the student. Should tuition and required materials total more than the award total the student will be responsible for the remaining balance. Students may request that required books and materials not reconciled by the award money also be covered with scholarship funds.

Please click here for the scholarship application.