Criminal Justice Scholarships

Updated on 21 May 2020

Caroline Sposto

Criminal Justice is a major that can open a lot of different doors. In addition to careers in police work and corrections, you can work as a park ranger, a rehabilitation counselor, a forensic expert, or an officer in the court system.

You can also become a criminal law paralegal, go on to graduate school and study counter-terrorism, criminal psychology, or law, or even become a private detective.

Scholarships for Criminal Justice Majors

Find GI Bill-approved schools offering Criminal Justice degree programs with the CollegeRecon School Finder.

Here are some of the Criminal Justice scholarships available.

ATE Ballistic Helmet Scholarship Fund

Awards: $1,000+ an ATE Ballistic Helmet

Details: For students pursuing a career in law enforcement. You must accepted for full-time enrollment at an accredited two-year American university with the goal of becoming a police officer.

Deadlines: March 31 and October 1

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: Hardhead Veterans

Christopher W. Keyser Scholarship

Awards: $1,500

Details: For undergraduate students enrolled in a four-year college or university program in the U.S., who major in Criminal Justice.

Deadline: July 31

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: Keyser Defense

The J. Edgar Hoover Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Details: For undergraduate students who are interested in a career in forensic science and law enforcement.

Deadline: April 6

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: J. Edgar Hoover Foundation

The Johnson-Whyte Memorial Foundation Fund

Awards: 2 awards. Amounts vary.

Details: For undergraduate junior or senior students, enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university, with a GPA 3.0 or higher and majoring in a field related to forensic identification.

Deadline: May

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: theiai.org

The Lint Center for National Security Scholarships

Awards: $500 – $1,500 (Multiple Scholarships)

Details: For undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing careers in international affairs, counterintelligence, and/or U.S. national security,

Deadlines: January & July

Website for more information and to apply for these scholarships: lintcenter.org

The War Veterans Scholarship

Awards: $2,500

Details: For sophomore or junior students who are enrolled or attending an accredited school who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, who are majoring in C41-related fields, e.g. information technology, communications, and electronics, for defense, homeland security and intelligence, an Minimum GPA: 3.0

The Deadlines: May 31

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: afcea.org

The Thurgood Marshall NABCJ Scholarship Award

Awards: $2,000

Details: This scholarship is sponsored by the National Association for Blacks in Criminal Justice. It’s for a criminal justice undergraduate with a “B” average grade point, and documented financial need.

Deadline: March 31

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: nabcj.org

The Women in Defense Scholarship

Awards: $1,000+ (Multiple Awards)

Details: For women who are currently enrolled or enrolling in an accredited university either full-time or part- time, with an interest in pursuing a career related to national security or defense. Minimum GPA 3.25.

Deadline: March 31

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: womenindefense.net

Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity Scholarship

Awards: $6,000 (3 awards)

Details: For graduate students of color, including but not limited to Latina, Asian, Black, and Indigenous people, who have been admitted to a graduate program of doctoral studies in criminal justice, criminology, or related studies.

Deadline: March

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: asc41.com

Out to Protect Scholarship

Awards: $500 – $1,000

For gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender students, enrolled in basic law enforcement training programs, law enforcement academies, corrections academies, or 9-1-1 dispatcher academies, who are willing to be visible role models.

Deadline: Ongoing. Awards announced in June and December.

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: comingingoutfrombehindthebadge.com

State-specific and School-specific Scholarships

A few of those include:

Oregon

The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police (OACP) Scholarship

Awards: $1,000

Details: For students currently enrolled in a Criminal Justice or related program at an accredited institution with a (GPA) of at least 2.5.

Deadline: December 31

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: policechief.org

San Francisco Bay Area

The Howard Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship

Awards: Up to seven scholarships of up to $5,000

Details: For undergraduate, and graduate students, from the San Francisco Bay area, with at minimum 2.5 GPA who plan to enroll, or are enrolled full time at a college, university, or police academy withs plan to pursue a career in police work, corrections, or other criminal justice fields.

Deadline: February

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: siliconvalleycf.org

Virginia

Virginia Sheriff’s Scholarship

Awards: 2 awards. Amount varies.

Details: For undergraduates attending a Virginia college or university, who want to study criminal justice.

Deadline: May 1

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: vasheriffinstitute.org

The Women in Law Enforcement Scholarship

Awards: Amount TBD

Details: For Washington state undergraduate students who major in law and justice, with 2.5 GPA. Offered through Central Washington University.

Deadline: February

Website for more information and to apply for this scholarship: cwu.edu

Make sure to read the qualifications for each scholarship before you apply, and don’t forget to visit CollegeRecon for other scholarships such as scholarships for veterans, military spouses, and military children.

Find GI Bill-approved schools offering Criminal Justice degree programs with the CollegeRecon School Finder.

Caroline Sposto

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Caroline Sposto is a writer, actor, and the founder of Savvy Civility, an educational company that specializes in civilian role play training. She has a passion for the arts, education, and small business.