Criminal Justice Scholarships

If you want to be the next Johnnie Cochran, J. Edgar Hoover or Inspector Gadget, you’re going to need an education. (Gadget didn’t mention college, but anyone with secret leg springs must have had some training.)

Those seeking a degree in law will obviously need several years of schooling. For those more interested in the police force, requirements may vary. Some departments will only require a high school degree; others make an undergraduate education a must. In both cases, a postsecondary education is recommended. If you want to keep your options open or hope to move up in the ranks, chances are, additional schooling will be a factor.

As you probably already know, college can be quite costly. Even those who receive federal grants may be in need of further financial assistance. Before giving up and settling for a quick fix in the form of student loans, students should apply for financial aid in the form of criminal justice scholarships. Numerous schools and outside providers offer criminal justice scholarships especially created for students who need help paying for their education.

At Scholarships.com, students can access information about more than 2.7 million scholarships and grants. By conducting a free scholarships search, they can find criminal justice scholarships as well as other scholarship awards they will be eligible to receive based on different criteria. Financial aid is available...you just have to make the first move.

Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
The purpose of the association is to develop the professionalism of the members by furthering their skills and knowledge
in the areas of technical surveillance, law enforcement, and forensic activities through the offering of special training, the inter-agency exchange of ideas and experiences, and assistance in the implementation of new techniques and equipment in the law enforcement community. [...] More

Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 09, Annually
The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) awards a two-year scholarship for cadets of the four-year program (two years in high school and two in college). Students must meet or exceed the following requirements to be eligible:

-A 3.0 (B) average upon completing the two-year high school component
-A 90% attendance rate throughout the high school component
-No Driving [...] More

Chief Gary R. Cline Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
In honor of a very special friend of the Camden County Hero Scholarship, a scholarship is offered in the name of the late Chief Gary R. Cline, who served the Merchantville Police Department. The amount of this scholarship is determined annually and is offered to all graduating high school seniors planning to pursue a career in law enforcement. The applications are available in January of the [...] More

COAG Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Any Georgia high school senior (or a GED equivalency) who is a United States citizen graduating by the spring of the current academic year or any Georgia student currently enrolled in a school of accredited higher education located in Georgia is eligible to apply for a COAG scholarship.

The criteria for the award include:
- Presenting a letter of acceptance or letter of enrollment from a [...] More

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Application Deadlines: December 01, Annually
CBYX for Young Professionals is a yearlong fellowship, funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress through the U.S. Department of State. The program annually gives 75 American young professionals the opportunity to study, work, and live with a host in Germany. The CBYX program consists of three phases: two months of German language school; four months of classes in your career field at a [...] More

George A. Strait Minority Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
George A. Strait Minority Scholarships are awarded annually to college graduates with meaningful law library experience who are members of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines, are degree candidates in an accredited library or law school, and who intend to have a career in law librarianship. Applicants must show evidence of financial need. To apply for the George A. [...] More

HEEF Mike Corona Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarships
Application Deadlines: January 19, Annually
HEEF scholarships are based on a combination of low-income family background, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular activities, community volunteer work, church service or work-employment. The HEEF Mike Corona Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarships are intended to provide support for graduating Orange County high school seniors or transfer students interested in pursuing a [...] More

Indiana Sheriffs Association Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
The Indiana Sheriffs' Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing, and dispensing funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field.

Qualifications:
-All applicants must be Indiana residents
-All applicants must be committed to pursuing an education and career [...] More

ISF National Scholarships
Application Deadlines: March 21, Annually
The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity founded in 2009 whose mission is to address the under-representation of American Muslims in the fields and occupations that influence public opinion and make public policy. Our belief is that fostering education and improving Muslim representation in all walks of life including media and politics will lead to full integration and [...] More

Lincoln Legal Professionals Association Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 14, Annually
The Lincoln Legal Professionals Association members share a common interest in promoting continuing professionalism in the legal field. The Association is offering a scholarship to a Nebraska high school or college student who wishes to further his or her education in the legal support field at an institution of higher education and who carries a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Upon proof of enrollment, [...] More

Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Award
Application Deadlines: June 01, Annually
The scholarship is awarded to minority nominees who have demonstrated a need and a willingness to continue an educational mission toward a college education or graduate training related to a career in the criminal justice field. An ACA member must recommend nominations to the ACA Committee on Correctional Awards. Members, patrons and friends are invited to annually contribute to the fund for this [...] More

Master Corporal Ronald G. Williams, Jr. Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 31, Annually
The Ronald G. Williams, Jr. Foundation was formed in memory of Delaware State Police Master Corporal Ronald G. Williams, Jr., and to honor his commitment to faith, family, and duty. The Criminal Justice scholarships are open to high school seniors from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, having at least a 2.5 GPA or equivalent, and who are pursuing an education, majoring in [...] More

Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 20, Annually
The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is awarding scholarships to outstanding Middle Tennessee students pursuing a degree in business, criminal justice, information technology, or a law-related major. One scholarship in the amount of $1,500 and five (5) scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded.

Application process:
-Complete the scholarship [...] More

National Louis University D214 Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
In preparation for the inaugural Harrison Pathways Program class at the Wheeling, IL campus, National Louis University is pleased to offer two full tuition scholarships to District 214 students. The Harrison Pathways Program is designed to be a flexible and affordable program that can lead to any of NLU's undergraduate degrees including Applied Communication, Business Administration, Human [...] More

NBPA Alphonso Deal Scholarship Award
Application Deadlines: May 15, Annually
The National Black Police Association is seeking to enhance higher education opportunities among qualified graduates. It is our desire that through this financial award a student (male or female) might be afforded the opportunity to have higher educational training in the academics of law enforcement, or other related areas, for the betterment of the criminal justice system.

Method of [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Founded in 1949, the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state. Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 a year, and scholarships are renewable for four (4) [...] More

North Carolina Sheriffs Association Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
The Sheriffs of North Carolina feel that the scholarship program sponsored by their Association will assist prospective personnel for Sheriff's Offices as well as other law enforcement agencies across the state.

Eligibility: Twelve scholarships are offered each year to full-time North Carolina resident undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice, one for each UNC constituent [...] More

Out To Protect Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 26, Annually
Out To Protect offers a law enforcement scholarship for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or straight ally and who are pursuing a career in law enforcement by putting themselves through a basic training program. Our goal is to support individuals who are positive role models in law enforcement and who are "out" to their peers. We believe that by exposing law [...] More

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 05, Annually
Through the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship, the ACFE Foundation supports the education of students who have an interest in pursuing a career in fraud examination. The scholarship provides an opportunity for students to advance their education and anti-fraud career paths. Many of these outstanding and deserving students go on to become Certified Fraud [...] More

Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
This merit-based award involves a one-time scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded is dependent on the yield of the endowment. The award also includes a plaque and pin. The recognition will be presented at the national law enforcement explorer conference or a local ceremony.

Any law enforcement explorer who is at least in the 12th grade may apply. Candidates will be evaluated according [...] More

The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 24, Annually
The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship was established in memory of Police Chief Harold Johnson to provide scholarship support to students who plan on pursuing a career in police work, corrections, or other criminal justice fields. These scholarships are designed to recognize students who demonstrate a passion for public service, academic potential, leadership and financial need. [...] More

The Officer Chad Spicer Heroes Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 31, Annually
The Officer Chad Spicer Heroes Scholarship was created in memory of Georgetown, DE police officer Chad Spicer, killed in the line of duty on September 1, 2009. To honor Officer Spicer and his commitment to the community, the Heroes Scholarship seeks to bring awareness to other heroes in our own hometowns. The scholarship is open to high school seniors from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and [...] More

Vermont Police Association Scholarships
Application Deadlines: March 04, Annually
The Vermont Police Association created the following scholarships:

-Erwin Bugbee Memorial Scholarship
-Gene Gaiotti & Ron West Memorial Scholarship
-Herbert Fullam Scholarship
-Raymond R. Mooney Scholarship

For more information, please visit our [...] More

Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: July 31, Annually
The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc, a non-profit charity, focused on supporting the educational pursuits of the next generation of America's Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, today unveiled the Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship which aims to identify, support, and mentor an emerging leader focused on Alliance Building, Counterintelligence, and [...] More

WIFLE Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines: May 02, Annually
WIFLE Foundation, Inc. and Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc. (both known as WIFLE) are organizations with a goal to achieve gender equity within federal law enforcement through the recruitment, retention, and promotion of qualified women. WIFLE offers several scholarships to talented individuals to meet the demands in the field of law enforcement and to foster the professional development of [...] More