Criminal Justice Scholarships

Caroline SpostoUpdated: May 21, 2020

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.