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.
You can even go so far as to earn a degree in fire science or fire protection engineering. 1  Another degree option is enrolling in a 2-year Associate of Public Safety and Security degree. 2  You can also take fire technology classes at a local community college, even if you don't earn a degree.