Scholarships

UFA Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for dependent children of active, retired or deceased Firefighters, Fire Marshals, Marine Wipers, Marine Engineers & Pilots who are full-time students up to and including age 23 for UNDERGRADUATE education. Applicants must currently be enrolled in college, trade or vocational school.

Active members and their spouses are also eligible. Dependent children, spouses of LOD deceased UFA members, and dependent children of non-LOD deceased UFA members are eligible to receive scholarships for undergraduate education but must still fill out an application and provide proof of enrollment.

The application period runs from August 1 - October 1 each year.

*The 2025 application period is now closed and will reopen on August 1, 2026.

Open Scholarships

FDNY Emerald Society Annual Scholarship Examination – 2026

The FDNY Emerald Society Annual Scholarship Examination is open to eligible boys and girls whose family members are active Emerald Society members in good standing.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be a student graduating from 8th grade or junior high school in 2026.
  • Have a parent or sibling who is a member of the FDNY Emerald Society in good standing.
  • Be properly registered on ESS.

Examination Details

The scholarship examination will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Location:
1-07 Duane Road
Fort Totten, NY
FLSTP Building

How to Apply

Applications for the scholarship examination may be obtained through the following methods:

  • From borough officers or Emerald Society Delegates
  • Via the Emerald Society website

Completed applications must be mailed to:

Lt. Kevin Grace Jr.
Scholarship Chairman, Engine 28
P.O. Box 104
Bronx, NY

Questions or Additional Information

For questions or further information, please call or text 845-774-5290.

Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship – Application Process

Applications for the Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship are now available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Applicant must be the child of an active, retired, or deceased FDNY firefighter.
  • The firefighter (not the student) must be an active, retired, or deceased member who played hockey on a town team, a high school team, a firehouse team, the FDNY hockey team, or a league hockey team.
  • Scholarship may be used for college/university, non-public high school, trade school, or private school.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the scholarship application form.
  2. Submit the completed application to the address below.

Mailing Address:
B.C. Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 1096
Massapequa, NY 11758

Deadline: Please submit the form before August 2026.

Application Link

Click here to access the application (PDF)

Education Opportunities

Monroe University Admission Webinars for FDNY Members

In collaboration with the Bureau of Training and the FDNY Foundation, a proud sponsor of continuing education for FDNY members, Monroe University is offering admission webinars for FDNY active and retired members.

These webinars provide information on an exclusive 20% tuition reduction available to FDNY members as an employee benefit, as well as the variety of academic programs offered through on-campus, online, and virtual learning formats.

Eligibility

  • Open to all active and retired FDNY members.
  • Advance registration is required for all live webinars.

Webinar Schedule & Registration

Additional Information

For additional information, contact the FDNY Unit Head of the Registrar’s Office, Lizette Perez-Cruz, via email at registrarunit@fdny.nyc.gov.

FDNY Continuing Education - Psychology

FDNY Continuing Education - Psychology

We are pleased to announce that the FDNY Bureau of Training, in collaboration with the FDNY Foundation — a proud sponsor of continuing education for all members—has now included Psychology as an area of study.

Who Can Participate?

This program is available to all active members, including:

  • Fire Officers
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency Medical Specialists
  • Communication Dispatchers
  • Fire Protection Inspectors

Scholarship Opportunity

The program is part of the FDNY Foundation Scholarships, further expanding access to educational opportunities for our members. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to supporting the professional and personal development of our workforce.

More Information

For details on course availability, enrollment, and scholarship eligibility, please contact:

Lizzette Perez-Cruz
Unit Head of Registrar Office
Registrarunit@fdny.nyc.gov

FDNY SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES

FDNY Members and their Families are eligible for scholarships. See the list below for additional scholarships and the button for additional information:

  • Scholarship Resources for Line of Duty Deaths and Line of Duty Disability Dependents
  • Scholarship Resources for the Dependents of Active, Retired
    and Deceased Members
  • Scholarships offered by FDNY Fraternal Organizations
  • Scholarships and Educational Resources for Members

Information (eligibility, contacts, & award amount, etc.) related to the scholarships listed below is subject to change. Any questions should be directed to the organization offering the scholarship. Send scholarship/college information benefitting our membership to: recordingsecretary@ufanyc.org

Funds

UFA Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for dependent children of active, retired or deceased Firefighters, Fire Marshals, Marine Wipers, Marine Engineers & Pilots who are full-time students up to and including age 23 for undergraduate education.

Thomas R. Elsasser Fund

The Thomas R. Elsasser Fund was established in 1992 to support the families of NYC Firefighters who died Non-Line of Duty as active members of the FDNY.

With your help we can support these families who don't have FDNY pensions or medical coverage. The funds are used to help with their medical costs, housing and repairs, and school tuitions to name a few.

Widows and Childrens Fund

The funds are deposited directly into the Widows and Childrens Fund account and distributed directly to the families of our Fallen Firefighters.

You can donate electronically via PayPal or via Mail to:

Uniformed Firefighters Association
204 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010

*Exemption granted pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Tax ID number: 13-4194707

Foundations

This non-profit organization was formed to honor the memory of FDNY Lieutenant Michael R. Davidson, who made the ultimate sacrifice on March 23, 2018. Drawing inspiration from Michael's spirit of selflessness and his love for others, we look forward to giving back to the communities to which he served and belonged. Thus, our commitment to community will focus specifically on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of first responder and military families and their children.

The Billy Moon Foundation is a 501(c) 3 charity. Our mission is to advocate, raise awareness, and to increase organ donation across the country. The heart of the foundation is to provide support through representation of the first responder communities, fundraising, and partnership with Organ Donor Organizations. We also strive to be a lifeline for our local communities and families in need.

The Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation honors the legacy of FDNY Firefighter Jesse Gerhard by continuing his life’s mission of leaving people and places better than he found them. Through fundraising and community support, the Foundation provides assistance to those in need while celebrating Jesse’s enduring spirit of service.