Scholarships for Criminal Justice Majors

Every year, organizations award thousands of dollars in scholarships for criminal justice majors. Applying for college scholarships and grants can save you thousands on your college costs since, unlike loans, you don’t have to pay back scholarships.

Most criminal justice scholarships come from criminal justice programs, but professional associations, government programs, law enforcement agencies, and law firms offer scholarships as well. You can find criminal justice scholarships for high school seniors, undergrads, grad students, and doctoral candidates.

In addition to the scholarships we’ve collected in our list, you can find regional and state-based scholarships. You’ll also want to check out these scholarship opportunities if you're studying criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Scholarships

Are you looking for criminal justice scholarships? Make sure you understand the eligibility and application requirements. Learn more about dozens of scholarship options listed below.

• Brian Terry Scholar Program: This merit-based scholarship supports students planning to work in law enforcement. The application requires official transcripts, a short personal essay, and two recommendation letters. You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Only students registered at an accredited university or community college qualify. The application cycle closes when the foundation receives 100 applications, with a deadline of May 31. Recipients will be notified by August.
• Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. Criminal Justice Scholarship: If you’re in an accredited law program and interested in the criminal justice system, you can apply for this scholarship, which awards $1,000 to the winner. Submit an online application, resume, headshot, transcript, and proof of enrollment to apply. The scholarship also requires a 500-word essay on how you hope to improve the criminal justice system. The scholarship has a June 3 deadline.
• Edna R. Anthony Scholarship: Awarded by the Women of BECA, this is one of the best criminal justice scholarships for high school seniors. Seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA qualify. You’ll need to attend an HBCU and declare a criminal justice, political science, journalism, or nursing/healthcare major to qualify. You can print the scholarship application from the organization’s website, and applications are due on April 15.
• John Reinert Scholarship: LGBT students pursuing a career in law enforcement qualify for this scholarship from Out to Protect. Applicants must be enrolled in a law enforcement training program. The organization encourages applicants to submit letters of recommendation, including from fellow students. On the application, you can demonstrate how you’re a visible, positive role model for law enforcement. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded in June and December.
• Kush Arora Federal Criminal Justice Reform Scholarship: Undergrads, grad students, and law school students can apply for this $500 scholarship, including incoming first-year college students. You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify for the scholarship. The scholarship committee evaluates applicants based on a 1,000-word essay on criminal justice reform or issues in criminal justice. You’ll also need to submit transcripts.
• Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship: If you’re headed to college to study criminal justice — or you’re a current criminal justice major — you may qualify for this $500 scholarship. You’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA and evidence that you’re committed to working in criminal justice. With your transcript or proof of enrollment, you’ll also need to submit a 1-2 page essay exploring your reason for wanting to work in criminal justice and your long-term goals. Submit your application by Aug. 1.
• Miki-Vohryzek-Bolden Student Paper Competition: Offered by the Western Society of Criminology, this scholarship recognizes strong work in criminal justice. You can submit a research paper, policy analysis, position paper, or another type of paper, and the award covers the cost of traveling to the conference to present your paper. Both undergraduates and grad students can submit a paper related to criminal justice or a closely related field. This student paper competition awards up to $250 for first place with a deadline of Sept. 20.
• NABCJ Thurgood Marshall Scholarship: Awarded by the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, this $3,500 scholarship program considers academic merit and financial need. You’ll need an average GPA of 3.0 in a bachelor’s program in criminal justice to qualify. The committee also considers incoming criminal justice majors. You’ll need to submit a 1,000-word essay on your motivations for pursuing a career in criminal justice, along with transcripts or proof of enrollment.
• Pi Gamma Mu Scholarships: Members of Pi Gamma Mu, the social sciences honor society, can apply for multiple $2,500 scholarships to attend graduate school. You can use the scholarship to attend a graduate program in criminal justice or a related field. The scholarship requires a statement of purpose explaining why you want to pursue graduate studies in the social sciences. You’ll need to submit your scholarship application, including a resume and three letters of recommendation, online by May 1.
• PLEXUSS Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship: You can apply for this $250 scholarship by writing a 250-500-word essay related to criminal justice. For example, you can write about your career goals, why you chose to major in criminal justice, how role models influenced your choice of major, or challenges in the criminal justice field and how you will make a positive impact. The deadline is April 30.
• Sieben Edmunds Miller Criminal Justice Scholarship: This scholarship awards $1,000 in spring and fall. You can qualify if you’re interested in a criminal justice career and can demonstrate financial need. Both undergrads and law school students can apply by submitting an online application. You’ll include an essay on your career goals and how the scholarship will help you reach those goals. The deadlines are June 30 and December 31.
• Regina B. Shearn Scholarship: You’ll need to be enrolled in a criminal justice program to qualify for this $2,000 scholarship. The committee evaluates applicants based on their academic performance, leadership, service, and personal statement. You’ll submit transcripts, a resume, and a paper on your goals working in the field of corrections. The scholarship also requires three evaluation reports from people who can speak to your character and ambitions.
• Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program: If you’re interested in anti-fraud careers, consider applying to this criminal justice scholarship, which awards applicants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. You’ll need to attend an accredited four-year institution and major in criminal justice or a related field. Applicants submit official transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Both undergraduates and grad students can apply for the award. The deadline is in early February.
• Ruth D. Peterson Fellowships for Racial and Ethnic Diversity: This fellowship supports doctoral students of color, particularly those from groups underrepresented in the field, earning a degree in criminology or criminal justice. Applicants must be accepted into a doctoral program and submit a CV, personal statement, transcripts, and three letters of reference. The fellowship also requires a statement of need and a letter on career plans. The organization awards up to three $8,000 fellowships each year. The deadline is March 1.
• Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 merit-based scholarship supports students interested in law enforcement careers. Candidates submit documents on their academic record, leadership ability, and extracurricular activities. The scholarship committee also asks for a 500-word personal statement on why you want to work in law enforcement. The deadline is March 31.
• WID Scholar Program: Women attending an accredited institution can apply for this program, which provides financial support for undergrad juniors and seniors or graduate students. You’ll need a minimum 3.25 GPA and proof of financial need. The scholarship also asks for a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 500-word essay on career plans related to national security or defense.

American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA)

A professional fraternal organization, ACJA supports students of criminal justice. If you’re over the age of 18 and studying criminal justice at an accredited college, you can join the organization and qualify for several scholarships. ACJA holds a student paper competition and offers multiple $800 scholarship awards and other scholastic honor awards. Learn more about ACJA’s criminal justice scholarships.

• ACJA/LAE National Student Paper Competition: Members of ACJA can apply for the student paper competition by submitting an original paper on any topic in criminology, law enforcement, or a related field. You must be currently enrolled in an academic program at the undergraduate or graduate level. The competition awards three prizes for the graduate, upper-division undergraduate, and lower-division undergraduate categories, with monetary prizes ranging from $100-$200. The deadline is January 31.
• ACJA/LAE Student Scholarship Program: ACJA awards student scholarships to members who are earning a degree in criminal justice. Winners receive $800 scholarships, with second and third-place awards of $200-$400. You can apply in the graduate division, upper-division undergraduate, or lower-division undergraduate. The scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and a statement of career and educational goals. The deadline is January 31.

American Society of Criminology (ASC)

An international organization, ASC investigates criminology through a scholarly and scientific approach. The society supports students, researchers, educators, and practitioners in the field, offering several criminology awards for undergraduate and graduate students. Students qualify for a membership discount to join the organization.

• Gene Carte Student Paper Award: Students enrolled in a criminology program at the undergraduate or graduate level can submit a paper for this competition. Papers should be directly related to criminology and not exceed 8,000 words. The award committee evaluates papers based on their significance, conceptualization, quality, and clarity. First-place winners receive $500, while second-place awards $300 and third-place awards $200. The deadline is April 15.
• Graduate Student Poster Award: Graduate students in criminology who present their work at the ASC Annual Meeting can compete for this award. The award committee judges submissions based on scientific merit, with a first-place award of $500, a second-place award of $300, and a third-place award of $200. When submitting a poster presentation for the annual meeting, grad students can self-declare their request for award consideration. Participants also need to send a 2-3 minute video presentation of their poster. The deadline is in late June.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

The research branch of the U.S. Department of Justice, NIJ aims to improve our understanding of crime and justice issues using scientific methods.

The organization offers several fellowship programs that support graduate student researchers investigating criminal justice problems. NIJ also supports early-career professionals and criminal justice researchers. Learn more about NIJ fellowship programs.

• Graduate Research Fellowship Program: This program supports doctoral students engaged in research on criminal justice in the United States, particularly at the state and local levels. Applicants can attend a webinar to learn more about the fellowship program. Then, they submit applications on two grant sites with deadlines in April. Recipients archive their data at the conclusion of the project.
• NIJ and NSF Criminal Justice Research Internship: NIJ’s criminal justice internship program, operated jointly with the National Science Foundation, supports graduate students through non-academic research internships in forensic science and other criminal justice fields. The program provides experiential training at industry, government, or nonprofit institutions that have a criminal justice mission. The program provides supplemental funding through existing NSF grants to fund research internships.
• W.E.B Du Bois Program: The program funds research into racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system and effective public policy interventions. It also supports research into the intersections of race, ethnicity, crime, and justice in the U.S. Graduate students can apply for grants to fund research and evaluation through this program. You’ll need to submit a proposal, budget, and CV or resume. The deadline is May 30.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE)

An organization that advocates for Black law enforcement professionals, NOBLE offers several national scholarships. These criminal justice scholarships for high school seniors, offered through the NOBLE Scholar Program, support students planning a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. The organization’s local branches may offer additional scholarship opportunities.

• Irlet Anderson Scholarship Award: This $2,500 scholarship recognizes an incoming first-year college student planning to major in the social sciences and work in law enforcement.
• Charles Fonseca Scholarship Award: If you’re a high school senior planning a career in criminal justice, you can apply for this $2,000 scholarship. You’ll need to provide proof of acceptance at an accredited academic institution.
• Bernard and Sylvia Davis Thompson Scholarship: Social sciences majors who plan to work in law enforcement or a related field qualify for this $2,000 scholarship. You must be a high school senior accepted at an accredited college to qualify.

You’ll submit a single application for the three scholarship awards. All three awards require a minimum 3.8 GPA. NOBLE announces scholarship winners at its annual training conference.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

• An Overview of Financial Aid: This comprehensive overview includes a variety of financial aid resources, including a step-by-step guide to help students manage financial aid throughout the application process and enrollment. The guide includes information about filling out the FAFSA and how to find other types of financial aid while earning a degree.
• Financial Aid for Online Students: With the growth of distance learning, online financial aid resources for criminal justice students have become increasingly relevant. This comprehensive guide helps students find online criminal justice scholarships, grants, and loans to help pay for their degree.
• Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: Criminal justice students with disabilities should not be disadvantaged when it comes to securing financial aid to help fund their education. This guide provides an overview of financial aid for students with disabilities.
• Scholarships for Single Parents: Many single parents rely on criminal justice scholarships to help fund their degree. This resource highlights scholarships for single parents and explains methods to expand financial aid opportunities. This additional resource geared towards dads may also be useful.
• Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military: Many schools and programs offer generous tuition discounts, criminal justice scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities for veterans and active-duty military students as well as military dependents and families. There are also scholarships for ROTC students. This resource walks veteran and military students through the process of pursuing financial aid for criminal justice programs.

Where to Find Criminal Justice Scholarships

According to a report by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, there are more than 1.4 million private scholarships and fellowships. But when you’re a college student looking for scholarships, it can be hard to sort through them all. So, where can you find criminal justice scholarships?

First, reach out to your college counselor or financial aid office to learn more about scholarship opportunities. The criminal justice department at your college can also point you to reputable sources. This is a great way to find local or regional scholarships, which are often less competitive than national scholarships.

Second, turn to your research skills to find college scholarships. Visit criminal justice organizations, scholarly foundations, or law enforcement agencies to see whether they offer scholarships. You can also use scholarship search engines like College Board's Big Future Scholarship Search or Fastweb Scholarship Search.

Finally, cast a broad net. Look for criminology, forensic science, national security, or law enforcement scholarships. Consider social science or general scholarships. With so many opportunities out there, you’ll find dozens or more where you can submit applications.

How to Win Criminal Justice Scholarships

Want to increase your chances of winning a criminal justice scholarship? Here are some tips to stand out from the competition:

• Start Early: You can start applying for criminal justice scholarships as a high school senior. And while you might be used to college application season, there’s no single season for scholarships. With deadlines throughout the year, start early and apply often to qualify for more financial aid.
• Get Organized: Which scholarship requires an essay, and when do you need letters of recommendation? Missing a deadline or forgetting to submit required material can mean that you’re out of luck. Create a scholarship calendar to organize your deadlines and application materials.
• Tailor Your Application Materials: You might feel tempted to use the same essay for all of your scholarship applications. But that’s a big mistake. Scholarship committees look for generic essays that fail to answer the prompt. Tailor your application materials to each scholarship.
• Apply to Multiple Scholarships: Don’t place all your bets on a single scholarship. While some scholarships receive few applications, others sort through hundreds or more applicants. Applying to multiple scholarships is a great way to increase your odds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Scholarships

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 5, 2024.