A Complete Guide to Criminal Justice Scholarships

If you're trying to finish college with as little student debt as possible, make sure you've looked into every scholarship you can. There are plenty of scholarship and grant options out there, and every little bit of money will help!

If you want to major in criminal justice, you're in luck. There are many criminal justice scholarships available to you. Offered by law enforcement, nonprofits, and honor societies, these scholarships can make paying for college even easier!

We've put together a list of the best criminal justice scholarships available to you. They vary from merit-based scholarships to ones made specifically for women majoring in criminal justice. You're sure to find one that is right for you.

Where to Find Criminal Justice Scholarships

A simple Google search for "criminal justice scholarships" yields thousands of results. How do you wade through all the offers and figure out which ones are the best? Better yet, how do you find ones that you know you have a chance of getting?

The first step is to find a reliable database of scholarships. At the Honor Society, we research hundreds of scholarship opportunities to find which ones are legitimate. Scholarship hunting isn't easy: let us help.

Make a list of the scholarships that you're able to apply to, and find out what materials are needed with the application. Some scholarships require essays, letters of recommendation, and in-person interviews. Make sure you're prepared!

Many scholarships also have hard deadlines. Mark these days in your calendar to ensure that you don't miss out! No one scholarship will be too difficult to apply to, but you have to be on top of all your paperwork.

Criminal Justice Honor Societies

There are a few honor societies dedicated to bringing criminal justice majors together. They serve as both social and academic hubs, allowing you to work with like-minded people and make friends at college. But before you get initiated, you can still apply for scholarships from these societies.

Criminal justice honor societies will often sponsor or manage memorial scholarships, or partner with nonprofits to build a scholarship program. You can get ahead by getting in contact with local honor society representatives and finding out what they can offer.

Alpha Phi Sigma is the national criminal justice honor society. They are the most well-known criminal justice society and have branches on most college campuses. We'll talk more about their scholarships in this article.

However, research programs and clubs specific to your school or region as well. There are often smaller, more local funds that are allocated to students. See if you can apply!

The Best Criminal Justice Scholarships

This is a curated list of the best criminal justice scholarships available. They're well-known, have fairly easy application processes, and are applicable to many students across the USA.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive! But it's a great starting point. With your whole life ahead of you, finding ways to ease your financial burden is a great place to start.

1. Criminal Justice Honor Society Scholarship

Alpha Phi Sigma is the leading criminal justice honor society, and they offer multiple scholarship options. If you're already an undergrad, they offer two scholarships for current criminal justice students: the Regina B. Shears and V.A. Leonard awards.

Alpha Phi Sigma also gives out a few $2,000 scholarships to high-performing high school seniors. If you attend their national conference, you may also have a chance at a smaller dollar scholarship worth up to $500.

Alpha Phi Sigma also endorses other good scholarships, so keep up with the society! You're sure to come across a great opportunity.

2. Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is given out by a small nonprofit founded by James J. Regan in 1974. The National Technical Investigators Association (NATIA) is a volunteer-run organization that handles surveillance best practices.

James. J. Regan scholarship is given out to two applicants each year. The recipient will receive a one-time $500. This scholarship requires a short application essay and a letter of recommendation, but is one of the easiest applications on this list!

3. Brian Terry Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is named for a border patrol agent who died in the line of duty. This scholarship program provides annual funding to the recipients, allowing them to study criminal justice without worrying about debt.

Brian Terry scholars participate in a fellowship with the other recipients. This scholarship has a lengthy application process, but it's all worth it in the end.

4. The NOBLE Scholarship

The National Order of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) offers a few different scholarships. These scholarships are competitive, requiring you to prove financial need in addition to writing an essay and filling out the application.

NOBLE will also point high-performing students toward other applicable scholarships. They handle a few other smaller programs, so keep up with their announcements.

5. Women in Federal Law Enforcement Scholarship

If you're a woman looking to go into law enforcement, apply to the scholarships given out by Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE). This is the premier scholarship for young women seeking a career in criminal justice.

The WIFLE scholarships award up to $10,000 to students each year. There are also scholarships available to members, or people who are sponsored by members, so try and befriend someone within the organization! It may work out well in the end.

You're Ready to Begin the Rest of your Life

We hope this article helped you see just how many criminal justice scholarships are out there. Going to college is stressful enough; make it a little easier by planning scholarships now. You're ready to start writing those application essays!

For more advice and resources, come see what the Honor Society has to offer. We provide college students with the leg-up they need in this modern world. Apply to become a member today!