Financial Aid. National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for federal student financial aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, servicers, the Direct Loan program, and other U.S. Department of Education programs.
However, technical skills, such as rescuing victims from trapped vehicles or applying enough retardant to put out a fire, require special training. You don't need to complete a four-year college degree to become a firefighter, though many candidates take postsecondary courses.
Most firefighters have at least a postsecondary, non-degree award in a discipline related to fire science, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, many fire departments only require a high school diploma or equivalent for entry into the profession.