The electronic security industry works intimately with the public safety sector. We appreciate the contribution that police, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs offer to our communities. To show our appreciation, the program was developed to provide college scholarships to their deserving children.
Scholarship Details
- More than 20 scholarship awards are available through participating state programs and ESA
- National ESA Scholarship prizes include $15,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place
- First-round winners from participating states and ESA are automatically considered for the additional national awards
- Open to graduating high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is an eligible active first responder
- Applications are evaluated based on academic achievement, essay quality, verified community service, and extracurricular accomplishments
- Essay accounts for 40 points, verified community service for 20 points, academic achievement and applicable test scores for 25 points, and extracurricular activities and awards for 15 points
- Students without ACT or SAT scores may still be considered, with greater weight placed on their GPA
- Participating state scholarship programs may have different application deadlines
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be between 15 and 20 years old
- Must be a graduating high school senior who will receive a diploma from an accredited high school
- Homeschooled students and students attending military or boarding schools are eligible
- Must be accepted for admission to an accredited college or university for the following academic year
- Must have a parent or legal guardian who is an active-duty police officer, sheriff's department officer, firefighter, paramedic, or public-sector emergency medical technician
- Eligible parents include full-time paid members of police, sheriff's, or fire departments, as well as volunteer firefighters
- Children of administrative personnel, federal agency employees such as DHS or FBI personnel, reserve officers, part-time sheriff's deputies, and retired or deceased first responders are not eligible
- Must provide an unweighted GPA using a standard 4.0 or 100-point scale, or include an appropriate conversion method
- Must apply through a participating state ESA scholarship program when one is available in the applicant's state
Application Process
- Determine whether your state has a participating ESA Youth Scholarship Program. Apply through your state association if one participates, or directly through ESA if your state does not have a participating program.
- Complete and sign the scholarship application.
- Write a typed essay addressing the prompt: "What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community."
- Submit an academic transcript showing your GPA. Homeschooled applicants may provide appropriate academic records from a parent.
- Provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university.
- Include verification of your parent's or guardian's qualifying first responder occupation, such as an identification card or supervisory letter on official department letterhead.
- Prepare a résumé describing your community service, academic honors, awards, hobbies, extracurricular activities, and employment history.
- Provide documentation verifying your community service activities.
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, or outside organization addressing your character.
- Submit the completed application and all required supporting documents by the applicable state deadline or the national ESA deadline.
All materials become the property of ESA. By submitting an application and essay, the student grants permission to publish any and all essays. Applicants also agree that if they win, they will cooperate in publicity efforts, including (but not limited to) participating in interviews with state and national ESA communications, local, trade and national press, and submitting photos for inclusion in state association and national publications, press materials and online.
