The Top Law Enforcement Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

About law enforcement scholarships

There are many financial aid resources available for high school seniors and college students who want to pursue federal law enforcement or other criminal justice-related fields through a college education. There are also scholarship programs specifically designed for individuals already in these fields, whether they be in police departments, government, etc., and also for their immediate family members.

Students who hope to study law enforcement should research scholarship opportunities and visit their school's financial aid office for more financial aid resources. It's also very important that students apply for federal student aid via FAFSA to secure as much financial aid as they can.

Federal aid can be a good place to start, but it often doesn't cover students' total expenses, leaving a significant gap that can be made up by outside scholarships. Students should also visit their university's financial aid office for more information.

What is a law enforcement scholarship?

Scholarships for law enforcement are a form of financial aid available to students pursuing a degree in law enforcement or other criminal justice and public service fields.

These scholarships may be exclusive to people in particular majors, but there are also scholarships for students in varying fields who have a passion for public service.

These can be helpful tools to support students pursuing a college degree in the field.

Can you get a scholarship for law enforcement?

Yes! There are many scholarships available to students studying law enforcement. These scholarships can provide financial support to students who want to advance their criminal justice education.

There are scholarships for criminal justice majors and minors, as well as students in related fields like law. Students pursuing careers in public safety may also qualify for other types of scholarships, such as those for students interested in social work and community service.

High school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students interested in law enforcement have many opportunities for financial aid.

How to apply for law enforcement scholarships

The exact application and eligibility requirements vary across scholarships, so it's important to look over the scholarship description before applying.

Scholarships generally require some type of application form and may request additional materials like transcripts or letters of recommendation. Some scholarships require students to be pursuing a major or minor in criminal justice or law enforcement, while some may just be public safety-related in subject matter.

Additionally, some scholarships require a minimum GPA or a submission of a transcript, so students should also be mindful that academic performance can be a factor in scholarships for students who study law enforcement.

Every scholarship is different and requires at least a little bit of time and effort, so always check the exact requirements of the scholarship for which you are applying to make sure you're eligible!

How to get a scholarship for law enforcement

Always reference the application and eligibility requirements of the scholarships that interest you to make sure you are a good fit and to better your chances of success. Make sure to check before beginning your essay or application so that you don't waste any time on opportunities you don't qualify for.

There are scholarships specific to students who wish to enter a particular field, while there are others open to all students. Scholarships are typically awarded based on a writing sample or demonstration of interest. There are also scholarships that are only available to applicants who demonstrate financial need or who have a particular identity.

Narrow, specific scholarships will likely have smaller application pools than scholarships for larger demographics. The fewer eligible applicants there are, the more likely you'll be to win!

Since there's less competition for narrow scholarships, students should consider scholarships with many criteria, such as scholarships specifically for people with particular identities, financial and educational backgrounds, or fields of interest. There are also scholarships exclusively available to students who attend a particular college or university or who live in a certain state.

Though many scholarships are only awarded one time, there are also many opportunities that are awarded annually. Students can apply for these scholarships each year for additional chances to earn financial support.

Best law enforcement scholarships

Bold.org is home to many scholarships for law enforcement; these awards are generally open to any individuals pursuing careers in law enforcement or criminal justice fields.

Law enforcement scholarships for high school students

High school students, especially high school seniors, should apply for scholarships and get a head start on gaining financial aid for college. Students interested in pursuing law enforcement or related majors are eligible for many scholarships!

As a way of thanking and encouraging first responders in Texas, the $45,000 McAllen Emergency Room Student Scholarship will help support 30 students ($1,500 each) who are the children of first responders. High school students from Texas are eligible to apply if their parents are first responders or in similar positions. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2022.

The $500 Lorraine Belcourt Love in the Community Scholarship will be given to one student each year who is committed to pursuing a degree in public service. This could be social work, law enforcement, pastoral commitment, nursing, or any number of professions that seek to better the community. Students from North Dakota are eligible to apply if they are high school seniors or undergraduate students and have experience giving back to their community through volunteering, non-profit work, or other community services. Students are eligible if they are pursuing a public service field that seeks to better the community. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2022.

College scholarships for law enforcement

There are many scholarship opportunities for college law enforcement students. It's never too late for college students to start finding scholarship aid to pursue their professional goals.

To encourage the future of the criminal justice field, the $4,500 James E. Simonetti Memorial Scholarship Fund will support two undergraduate students ($2,250 each) at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania who are majoring in criminal justice or are cadets at the criminal justice training center. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2022.

The $3,000 Mike Braem Memorial Scholarship aims to honor Mike Braem and preserve his legacy by supporting 3 high school or undergraduate students ($1,000 each) who are pursuing a law enforcement career that changes lives. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2022.

The $650 Jaxon Hunter Memorial Scholarship aims to honor Jaxon Hunter by supporting survivors of childhood violent crime or their immediate family members. Any student who is interested in law or criminal justice and was a child victim of violent crime or the immediate family member of someone who was may apply for this scholarship. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2022.

The $500 Jimmy Cardenas Community Leader Scholarship aims to honor Jimmy Cardenas by supporting undergraduate students in Texas with aspirations to serve their community. Students who are building a better community through personal leadership activities while currently enrolled in a college or university criminal justice degree program may apply. Underrepresented minorities and first-generation students are encouraged to apply! The deadline to apply is November 30, 2022.

Graduate scholarships for law enforcement

There are also scholarships available for graduate students studying law enforcement or other criminal justice fields.

The $1,500 Forever Sisters - Olivia Jansen Memorial Scholarship will support students looking to pursue a career that will remove children from harmful environments and assist them in getting the necessary services they need and deserve. Students are eligible to apply if they are going into a field that will help abused children. Examples of these careers include social work, foster care/adoption, law enforcement, CPS, child abuse pediatrics, etc. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2022.

Scholarships for current law enforcement officers

Applicants who are currently law enforcement officers may also qualify for several scholarships. Whether they are returning to complete a degree or starting from scratch, adult learners already in the field are eligible to receive financial aid.

The $2,500 Tracey Johnson-Webb Adult Learners Scholarship seeks to honor the efforts of Tracey Johnson-Webb by supporting adult learners who are handling the responsibilities of work or parenting while pursuing higher education. Any undergraduate or graduate student who is at least forty years old and is working full time, in or out of the home, in addition to being a student is eligible. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2022.

We’ve partnered with Cappex to create the Cappex Adult Learners Scholarship, an exclusive new $1,000 scholarship to financially support 2 adult learners ($500 each) interested in tailored resources to help you understand how to navigate Bachelor's degree options. Apply now or check out the other easy no-essay scholarships available on Bold.org! The deadline to apply is August 1, 2022.

Scholarships for women in law enforcement

Women are typically underrepresented in law enforcement and criminal justice fields. To support them in entering and equalizing the field, there are scholarships to provide funds for women in law enforcement pursuing their college degrees.

The $7,000 Feltus Impact Fund Scholarship seeks to support 7 women ($1,000 each) working towards degrees in political science, STEM, or social science so they can build a strong foundation of knowledge. Any female undergraduate or graduate student in Texas who is pursuing STEM, political science, or social science may apply for this scholarship. The deadline to apply is July 20, 2022.

Frequently asked questions about law enforcement scholarships

How to find scholarships for law enforcement

Any student can find a scholarship for law enforcement by searching the Bold.org scholarships page or by browsing relevant categories like "Public Safety" or "Law." Make sure to toggle the status to "Open" to make sure you are only looking at scholarships that are still accepting applications.

Law enforcement students may also be eligible for general scholarships and programs for related fields in public service and may benefit from graduate scholarships if they choose to attend law school.

Some schools may also offer scholarships exclusively for their students, so remember to check your university's financial aid office for more information.

When can I start applying?

Students over 14 years of age are eligible to begin applying for scholarship aid. It's never too early to begin funding your higher education. High school students, especially students in their junior year or senior year, should begin researching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible.

It's also never too late to get started! College students — both undergraduate students and graduate students — can apply for scholarships throughout their college careers.

The sooner you begin applying for scholarships, the more you will be able to apply for, boosting your chances of success!

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?

Each scholarship will have different eligibility requirements, so it's important to closely read the scholarship description to avoid applying for scholarships you won't be considered for.

Some scholarships for law enforcement require that students be studying a particular field like criminal justice, law, or federal law enforcement. Others may be exclusively for people already involved in police work or police administration. Others, still, welcome anyone with a passion for public service and related ambitions. Some scholarship programs award students based on a writing submission, while others may require you to attend a particular university or demonstrate academic achievement.

Always check the eligibility requirements listed in a scholarship description before spending time on an application.

Are scholarships counted as income?

Generally, scholarship money is not counted as income, as long as the money goes to qualified expenses and doesn't exceed your total costs.

The scholarship award must be used for school-related expenses, like college tuition, fees, and books. Scholarship money is taxable if it is used for indirect costs, even if they're college-related, such as room and board, food, or travel.

Scholarships from Bold.org are sent directly to the school of the winner and applied towards qualifying educational costs, so you don't need to worry about reporting it as income or paying taxes on it.