MCC students pursuing firefighting designations are eligible to receive either a stipend or a scholarship through a firefighter recruitment and retention initiative funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Foundation of North Carolina. Both adult and high school students are eligible for the program, classes will begin in January 2021. The BCBS Foundation of NC Firefighter Stipend and Scholarship Program provides stipends of $500 per term or scholarships up to $1,000 per term for eligible Montgomery Community College students pursuing NC Firefighter Certification courses. The funds are designated to assist North Carolina fire and rescue departments with recruitment and retention of firefighters. A particular emphasis is in supporting the