<p>I just reread these posts and if your friend intends to take the money offered to him by working as a firefighter, then his college choices would be limited to schools that are close to his firestation. The intention of paying for tuition (generally a tuition reimbursement) is to attract and retain employees. The money os there to help those existing employees. This is assuming he can get a job as a firefighter (highly competitive), work the required amount of time for the reimbursement program (generally 1 year), and fit it in with full-time work.
If, however the program is simply a scholarship with no requirement for emplyment, then the East Coast opens up to him again.
I think it is great that you are attempting to help your friend. I am currently coaching two juniors that have 2.8 and 2.75 gpas. They are realistic enough to target community college or the non-flagship schools, even though they are both URMs with great ECs. Money just doesn’t appear to be there.</p>