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Last updated on November 18, 2024

Exclusive Criminal Justice Scholarships with 2024 Deadlines

Apply below right now to the Best Criminal Justice Scholarships. Exclusive Scholarships found only in Bold.org!

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20 SCHOLARSHIPS
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  1. Jimmy Cardenas Community Leader Scholarship

    Funded by
    Cardenas Family
    This scholarship aims to help undergraduate students in Texas who are interested in pursuing a career that serves their community.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Must be an undergraduate student or in trade school
    • Career of Interest: Must be interested in serving your community via your career
    • State: TX
    Amount:$501
    Deadline is Approaching! 25 days left
    One Click Apply
    1
  2. Fallen "Freaks" Scholarship

    Funded by
    Gray Hughes Investigates
    This scholarship aims to support students who are entering the fields of criminal justice and forensics to make an impact on the world.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Field of Study: Forensic science or criminal justice
    Amount:$6,000
    Deadline:Jan 09, 2025
    One Click Apply
    2
  3. Monroe Justice and Equality Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Louis Strickland
    This scholarship will support high school seniors.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • GPA: 3.0
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Apr 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    3
  4. Mike Braem Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Braem Family
    This scholarship aims to preserve Mike Braem’s legacy by supporting students pursuing careers in law enforcement.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Desired Career Field: Law enforcement
    Amount:$1,800
    Deadline:Aug 27, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    4
  5. Grace Lynn Ross Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Michelle Ross
    The Grace Lynn Ross Memorial Scholarship aims to honor Grace by supporting students pursuing a career in criminal justice or child psychology/grief counseling.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school seniors or undergraduates
    • Desired Career Field: Criminal Justice, Child Psychology, or Grief Counseling
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Jun 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    5
  6. Paschal Security Systems Criminal Justice Scholarship

    Funded by
    PASCHAL SECURITY SYSTEMS LLC
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are committed to pursuing higher education with a focus on criminal justice.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Field of Study: Criminal Justice
    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Background: Accepted into a college or university
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Nov 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    6
  7. Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship

    Funded by
    International Chinese Fine Arts Council
    This scholarship will support graduate or advanced degree students who are committed to social justice for Asians.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Apr 10, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    7
  8. LA Police Gear Scholarship

    Funded by
    LA Police Gear, INC
    This scholarship seeks to support students pursuing careers in law enforcement as they work towards their educational goals.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Field of Study: Law enforcement
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Sep 16, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    8
  9. Sergeant William Jace Cherry Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Aleatheia Fox Cherry
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of Sergeant William Jace Cherry by supporting students who share his calling to law enforcement.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: Criminal justice or law enforcement
    • State: Tennessee
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Aug 15, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    9
  10. Joshua A. Vaughn Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Jared Burton
    This scholarship will support a BIPOC student pursuing a career in criminal justice, social work, or community studies.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    • Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
    • Major/Field: Criminal justice, social work, or community studies
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Sep 15, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    10
  11. J.R. McMasters Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Breanna McMasters
    This scholarship aims to honor John Robert McMasters and his parents by supporting high school seniors interested in pursuing Law Enforcement.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • GPA: 3.4
    • Desired Degree: Law Enforcement
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:Apr 12, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    11
  12. Roberto A. Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Sonia Rodriguez
    This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Roberto A. Rodriguez by supporting students who share his passion for law enforcement.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Field of Study: Law enforcement
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Jul 16, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    12
  13. Carole Willis Criminal Justice Reform Scholarship

    Funded by
    Charles Willis
    This scholarship seeks to support students who plan to spend their careers addressing criminal justice and improving the system.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Identity: Underrepresented minority
    • Major: Criminal justice or law
    Amount:$2,270
    Deadline:May 01, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    13
  14. James Allen Crosby & William Edward Huff Scholarship

    Funded by
    Misty Thomas
    This scholarship will support a high school senior planning to major in criminal justice or forensic science.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior
    • Major of Interest: Criminal justice or forensic science
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:May 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    14
  15. Metadata Matters Scholarship

    Funded by
    Metadata Forensics, LLC
    This scholarship will support high school seniors and undergraduates currently or planning to pursue a 4-year degree in digital forensics.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Career Path: Digital Forensics
    • Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate
    Amount:$2,700
    Deadline:Mar 01, 2023
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    15
  16. Detective Sergeant Robert Feliciano “IMPACT” Scholarship

    Funded by
    Erica Diaz
    This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Detective Sergeant Robert Feliciano by supporting students following in his footsteps and entering law enforcement.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • Race: BIPOC
    • Field of Study: Law Enforcement
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Jul 01, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    16
  17. James E. Simonetti Memorial Scholarship Fund

    Funded by
    Simonetti
    This scholarship will support undergraduate criminal justice students studying at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    • School: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    • Major: Criminal justice or law enforcement
    Amount:$4,500
    Deadline:Jul 31, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    17
  18. Janean D. Watkins Aspiring Victim's Rights Advocate Scholarship

    Funded by
    Janean Watkins
    This scholarship seeks to support students who have overcome trauma and are using their experiences to impact victim’s rights laws.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • Field of Study: A career that can impact victim’s rights laws (law, pre-law, criminology, etc.)
    • Background: Has overcome trauma or adversity
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Apr 15, 2024
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    18
  19. Thomas J. Kilcullen Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Erin Wells
    This scholarship aims to honor Thomas J. Kilcullen’s life by supporting a criminal justice or social work student who demonstrates leadership, kindness, and respect for all.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • State: NY
    • Field of Interest: Criminal justice, social work, or a similar field
    Amount:$2,000
    Deadline:May 20, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    2 winners
    19
  20. Jaxon Hunter Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Win4Jax
    This scholarship aims to honor Jaxon Hunter by supporting survivors of childhood violent crime or their immediate family members.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Background: Child victim of a violent crime or the immediate family member of someone who was
    • Fields of Interest: Law or criminal justice
    Amount:$650
    Deadline:Oct 01, 2022
    One Click Apply
    Scholarship is awarded to
    1 winner
    20

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!

Frequently Asked Questions