EMS Recruitment & Retention Program
If you have questions or want to apply for this program, email [email protected].
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION:
$2,000.00 per student for an EMT course.
$3,200.00 per student for an AEMT course.
$8,000.00 per student for a paramedic course
Scholarship recipient must commit to the following:
One year as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
OR
Two years as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) or Paramedic [if upgrading your certification]
Within 90 days of completing the DSHS approved EMS course, scholarship applicants must:
Pass the National Registry exam
Complete State certification process
Begin working/volunteering for EMS sponsoring agency
S1.$2,000.00 per student for an EMT course. 2.$3,200.00 per student for an AEMT course. 3.$8,000.00 per student for a paramedic course
How this works:
If you are interested in applying:
FAQs: Scholarship Applicant
1Where can I obtain information about EMS training scholarships that are available in my area of the state?
Contact CATRAC EMS Education and Recruitment Coordinator for a list of EMS Sponsoring Agencies in your area.
2What can be paid for using scholarship funds?
Scholarship funds can be used towards your education, education material and the ability to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination for the first time only.
3What style of courses are eligible?
Courses can be in-person, online, or hybrid.
4Can I receive education to move from Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) consecutively, and receive funding?
Yes. Applies to AEMT -> EMT-P or EMT -> AEMT
5What happens to my tuition or any remaining balance if the education program closes without notice and I cannot finish my course? Who do I contact for help?
Contact CATRAC and your EMS Sponsoring Agency for assistance with completing the agreed commitment requirements.
6I have one year left on my volunteer/employment commitment in this program. I accept another job offer with an out-of-state ambulance. What happens?
Contact EMS Sponsoring Agency or CATRAC. Funding may need to be returned by the EMS Sponsoring Agency. In some cases, EMS Sponsoring Agency may allow for transfer of volunteer/employment commitment to another program in Texas.
7What is the process if my application is denied?
Submit a letter for appeal to CATRAC.
8If I’m working or volunteering for a DSHS-licensed EMS provider on an ambulance, community paramedic program, or special event response, will these hours count toward my service requirement?
Yes, so long as you are working or volunteering for a current Texas-licensed EMS provider.
FAQs: EMS Providers
1What if my county is urban. Do we quality?
An urban county EMS provider may qualify if they have documented evidence of delay in response times resulting from COVID related staffing or operational shortages.
2Who is eligible to receive funding under this program?
All EMS providers currently licensed by DSHS.
3May time employed or volunteering with my local fire department on the fire truck or rescue unit count toward the volunteer or employment commitment?
You may only count time volunteering or employed on a Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) licensed ambulance.
4What happens if someone becomes injured on or off the job and cannot complete the commitment to volunteer or work on an ambulance?
If an extenuating circumstance were to occur, contact CATRAC for assistance. CATRAC will facilitate a decision by DSHS.
5What happens if a Scholarship Applicant has not fulfilled their volunteer or employment commitment and accepts a job offer with an out-of-state ambulance service?
Notify CATRAC. Funding will need to be returned by the Scholarship Applicant and subsequently EMS Sponsoring Agency will refund scholarship amount to CATRAC.
6What happens to scholarship funds if a Scholarship Applicant does not complete the education program?
Notify CATRAC. Funding will need to be returned by the Scholarship Applicant and subsequently EMS Sponsoring Agency will refund scholarship amount to CATRAC. CATRAC will redistribute the returned or collected funds to eligible applicants as long as the program is still active.
7What happens with refunds or collected funds?
CATRAC will redistribute the returned or collected funds to eligible applicants as long as the program is still active. Please contact CATRAC for questions.
8Are EMS providers that provide 911 and/or inter-facility transports both eligible to receive scholarships under this program?
Yes, both are eligible to participate if they are a current Texas-licensed EMS provider.
9Are first responder organizations eligible to participate in this program?
The initial scholarship awards are for students working for EMS providers only. The department may review and consider recognized first responder organizations in the future.
FAQs: Education Entity
1How will programs be able to use awarded incentives? Are there any restrictions or must it go towards direct costs?
There are no restrictions on how an EMS Education program uses the awarded incentives.
2Does the funding for one National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination include funding for psychomotor (skills) testing at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and paramedic level?
Yes, this includes one skills exam session.
3May an education program get the incentive for a non-scholarship student? Example: A community college has twenty students in a paramedic course with two students on scholarship. How much of an incentive payment are they eligible for?
Only the students receiving scholarships through the approved education program qualify for the incentive
4What must an EMS education program include when applying for scholarships?
The minimum requirement to receive the student scholarship must include tuition, books, and the fee to take the NREMT exam the first time. An EMS education program is not prohibited from providing additional resources to the students.
5Who is eligible to receive the scholarship incentive?
The EMS education program will receive the incentive through the EMS provider.