To address EMS staffing challenges across Texas, the Texas legislature has allocated $21.7 million to support EMS education and retention as part of Senate Bill 8 (SB 8).
As a result, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has created the EMS Education (EMSE) scholarship fund, which will cover the full cost of EMS education for individuals who wish to obtain their EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification, with priority given to rural and underserved areas of Texas.
Interested in the process for applying to the Texas EMS Education scholarship fund? Give us a call at (325) 218-4444 and we can help guide you through he application process, or answer any questions about earning your EMS certification.
About the Texas EMS Education Scholarship
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): $2,000
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT): $3,200
Paramedic: $8,000
Scholarship funds can be used towards your education, education material and the ability to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination.
Scholarship funds cannot be used towards your student uniform, lab coat, required equipment, etc. or towards your state certification. Additionally, scholarship funds cannot be used for travel costs or backfill payments for employers when the student is in class
All EMS providers currently licensed by DSHS are eligible for scholarship funding.
Yes, both are eligible to participate if they are a current Texas-licensed EMS provider.
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.
RACs must have the money spent by 12/31/24.
The EMS education scholarship funds are distributed by your Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Each RAC has a different application process. Contact your RAC for details.
Locate your Regional Advisory Council and view contact information here.
Yes. The scholarship fund provides up to $8,000 for Paramedic training.
The Department of State Health Services will provide EMS education to students who agree to perform emergency medical services (EMS) for at least one (1) year with a local emergency medical services provider at the EMT level and two (2) years for AEMT and Paramedics.
It is the responsibility of the education program or sponsoring EMS provider to provide the education, books, necessary materials, and the student cost for taking the National Registry EMT examination process one (1) time.
Axon Education includes electronic textbook access in the cost of the program.
Yes. Axon Education will provide a voucher for the NREMT Certification Exam fee.
How to Apply for EMSE Scholarship Funding
The Texas EMSE scholarship application and supporting documents must be submitted to your Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Each RAC has a different application process. Contact your RAC for details.
Locate your Regional Advisory Council and view contact information here.
- Name of sponsoring agency/organization or EMS education program
- Physical address (street, city, and zip code)
- Mailing address, if different from physical (PO box, street, city, and zip)
- EMS provider license number
- County or counties your service provides care to
- Regional Advisory Council/Trauma Service Area
- Name of EMS education program if an EMS provider provides the application
- A signed agreement by the student to provide EMS in an ambulance for one (1) year for EMT and two (2) years for AEMT and Paramedic within 90 days of the last official day of class
- Projected start and end date of the course
Axon Education Consortium
473 Cypress, Suite 110/210
Abilene, TX 79601
Phone: (325) 218-4444
Email: info@axoneducation.com
DSHS EMS ID #: 600151
County of Course: Taylor
EMT – $1,870
includes tuition and fees, course access, electronic textbook, and NREMT exam.
Advanced EMT – $3,200
includes tuition and fees, course access, electronic textbook, and NREMT exam.
Paramedic Bridge – $8,000
includes tuition and fees, course access, electronic textbook, and NREMT cognitive exam.
Paramedic – $8,000
includes tuition and fees, course access, electronic textbook, and NREMT cognitive exam.
| wdt_ID | Month | Course | Start Date | End Date | DSHS Course # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | December 2024 | Paramedic | 12/09/2024 | 12/09/2025 | 621886 |
| 60 | December 2024 | EMT | 12/09/2024 | 04/08/2025 | 621890 |
| 61 | December 2024 | Advanced EMT | 12/09/2024 | 08/06/2025 | 621888 |
| 62 | October 2024 | EMT | 10/14/2024 | 02/11/2025 | 621443 |
| 63 | October 2024 | Advanced EMT | 10/14/2024 | 06/09/2025 | 621441 |
| 64 | October 2024 | Paramedic | 10/14/2024 | 10/14/2025 | 621439 |
| 65 | November 2024 | EMT | 11/11/2024 | 03/11/2025 | 621860 |
| 66 | November 2024 | Advanced EMT | 11/11/2024 | 07/09/2025 | 621858 |
| 67 | November 2024 | Paramedic | 11/11/2024 | 11/11/2025 | 621855 |
EMT Course
The EMT course uses the following textbook:
Emergency Care/Transportation of the Sick/Injured, 12e
ISBN: 978-1284243765
AEMT Course
The November 2022 AEMT course uses the following textbook:
Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets – 8th Edition.
ISBN: 978-1284457308
Beginning in December 2022, the AEMT course will use the following textbook:
Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets – 9th Edition.
ISBN: 978-1284256833
Paramedic Course
The November 2022 Paramedic course uses the following textbook:
Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets – 8th Edition.
ISBN: 978-1284457308
Beginning in December 2022, the Paramedic course will use the following textbook:
Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets – 9th Edition.
ISBN: 978-128425683
- Upon receipt of a complete application, the RAC will compile the application information to ensure complete information is ascertained for approval.
- The RAC will then approve the EMSE application.
- EMS/TS will prepare for contract initiation to the DSHS, Contract Management Unit (CMU), who will develop contracts for entities purchasing textbooks/workbooks and all other instructor(s) and or coordinator(s) fees.
- An EMSE scholarship application will not be approved for payment if the course starts prior to the official notification by the RAC.
Do not start a class before receiving final approval, as any class that begins without prior approval will not be funded.
Program Requirements & Licensure
Each EMSE scholarship funding application will have a prescribed start and end date, which should be ample time to complete the course.
EMT – maximum of 120 days
AEMT – maximum of 240 days
Paramedic – maximum of 365 days
Once the student completes the course, they have 90 days from the last official day of scheduled class to complete the certification process and start serving 96 hours a month in a volunteer or paid capacity.
