Exclusive Criminal Justice Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

About Criminal Justice Scholarships

A criminal justice degree program gives students the foundation to use social science methodologies to examine crime in different settings. Criminal justice majors will learn the intricacies of topics like political science, psychology, and law in relation to criminal justice and can choose to specialize in law enforcement, case management, or forensic science. 

Students who study criminal justice can apply to internships or gain field experience with the FBI or law enforcement to put their degrees into practice. Criminal justice students do have the option to study abroad like students in other majors and learn about how law enforcement, forensics, and other criminal justice fields operate in different countries.

Career options in law enforcement and law-related professions are common for criminal justice majors to pursue after completing their degree. A degree gives graduates a strong foundation in crime and law-related professions, and they can work as police officers, certified fraud examiners, court reporters, or agents in federal law enforcement. Outside of public service, students who study criminal justice could find a career in counseling, psychology, or social work that is equally as fulfilling.

However, after earning an undergraduate degree, most criminal justice majors will have an inclination to pursue a few more years of higher education to specialize in their desired field. Law school is a possible option for criminal justice majors who are interested in the legal studies aspect of criminology.

Fortunately, Bold.org has exclusive scholarships for students attending university, helping take some of that financial burden off their shoulders. New scholarships are added every day, supplying various scholarship opportunities for future lawyers and students passionate about a career in criminal justice. Whether you are a current law student or an undergraduate pursuing a criminal justice degree, Bold.org has plenty to choose from.

What Is a Criminal Justice Scholarship?

A criminal justice scholarship will vary by school or scholarship program and is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in criminal justice or a related field. Students studying criminal justice or social sciences or attending law school are qualified for these scholarships, which do not need to be paid back. Full-time students who demonstrate academic excellence are eligible for financial aid and must maintain any academic requirements if the scholarship requires it.

Oftentimes, national and collegiate associations and organizations will offer scholarships that are exclusive to student members. The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) offers awards and scholarships for criminal justice students and individuals who exemplify high standards of achievement in community service and criminal justice.

In order to boost and grow the next generation of criminal justice professionals, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives has several scholarships that are one-time awards to graduating high school seniors.

Scholarships for criminal justice students are meant to encourage students to achieve their career and academic goals, eliminating the financial barrier that would prevent them from otherwise doing so. Not only is the cost of attending college increasing, but so is the amount of student loan debt that college students graduate with, which could possibly hinder them from pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree.

Graduating seniors who want to further pursue their education in other criminal justice fields might want to seek out financial aid that they now need for another degree, so a criminal justice scholarship can be incredibly helpful to those who study criminal justice or related topics.

Criminal justice scholarships help ameliorate any student debt and extra costs that students may have accumulated throughout their academic careers. Federal student loan payments will begin after students graduate, but scholarships may help even if it's a small portion of the student loan.

Scholarships do not have to be paid back and can be used for tuition, books, or application fees. With the rising cost of tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students, scholarships and grant money are available to help a student reach their goals and career aspirations.

Can You Get a Scholarship for Criminal Justice?

Yes. Receiving a scholarship for criminal justice is feasible at any education level, including high schoolers and undergraduate and graduate students. Finding scholarships that are specific to the field you're interested in is one of the best ways to reduce your competition and improve your chances of winning scholarship funding. 

How to Apply for Criminal Justice Scholarships

Once you've found a scholarship for criminal justice students that you'd like to apply for, you can create a free account on Bold.org and get started. Scholarships may be categorized by education level, major, and/or location, so be sure to adjust the filters as needed. In addition to your Bold.org profile, some scholarships will require an essay prompt or other submission as part of the application.

How to Get a Criminal Justice Scholarship

The scholarship application process will differ based on the scholarship program, with some scholarship programs requiring transcripts or test scores to see that the applicant is in good academic standing or perhaps provide a written sample. Some scholarships might want students to demonstrate their knowledge of criminal justice education in practice with an essay prompt.

As with any other scholarship program, it is important to get started on the scholarship application process early on so that you can gather any necessary materials, like transcripts or letters of recommendation, and get started on any writing required for the application.

Best Criminal Justice Scholarships

To combat rising college costs, Bold.org offers an extensive list of scholarships available to criminal justice students. In addition to broad scholarships open to all students, there are plenty of scholarships for students interested in particular fields, such as STEM, education, or healthcare.

High School Students

1. Scholarships for High School Freshmen
2. Scholarships for High School Sophomores
3. Scholarships for High School Juniors
4. Scholarships for High School Seniors
5. Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for College Students

1. Undergraduate Scholarships
2. Scholarships for College Freshmen
3. Scholarships for College Sophomores
4. Scholarships for College Juniors
5. Scholarships for College Seniors
6. Scholarships for Community College
7. Scholarships for College Students
8. Scholarships for Graduate Students
9. PhD Scholarships
10. Master's Degree Scholarships

What Do I Have to Do to Apply?

Once you've found a scholarship for criminal justice students that you'd like to apply for, you can create a free account on Bold.org and get started! Scholarships may be categorized by education level, major, and/or location, so be sure to adjust the filters as needed. The primary part of your application is your Bold.org profile! This is your chance to showcase your interests and strengths and highlight why you'd be the best applicant for a criminal justice scholarship.

In addition to your Bold.org profile, some scholarships might require an essay prompt or other submission as part of the application. If a scholarship requires more materials, such as a personal statement or letter of recommendation, make sure to reach out to professors or other professional references with enough time for them to write a lengthy recommendation.

Are Scholarships Counted as Income?

Scholarships are generally not considered income, so, in most cases, you won't have to pay taxes on the scholarships you receive. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so always be sure to check with your scholarship provider. For example, the money generally will not be taxed if the funds are used for qualified college costs, including tuition, course fees, and books. 

In contrast, if the money is used to pay for college-related costs like room, board, and travel, or if the money was given in the form of a teaching assistantship, then it may be taxed. Additionally, if you receive scholarship money that is worth more than your total educational costs, the excess may be taxed.

If you're interested in the criminal justice field and are pursuing this field at an accredited university or college, you should apply for scholarships on Bold.org!