A degree in criminal justice can be a pathway to a variety of careers including police officer, FBI agent, lawyer, forensic psychologist, and a researcher. One of the best ways to pay for your education is with criminal justice scholarships.

Jump ahead to:

• Top Criminal Justice Scholarships
• Summary of Criminal Justice Scholarships
• Scholarships that are closed, but will open soon

Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about criminal justice scholarships including application deadlines, award amounts, and eligilbity requirements.

Top Criminal Justice Scholarships 2021

Maine Chiefs Of Police Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a career or profession related to law enforcement.
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: April 10, 2021

Gene Carte Student Paper Competition

• Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students who submit an essay of 7,500 words or less.
• Amount: $500, $300, or $200
• Deadline: April 15, 2021

The Brian Terry Foundation Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate college students who plan to study criminal justice and serve their community. To qualify, you must be a legal resident of the U.S. and have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA).
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: May 31, 2021

Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Any law enforcement Explorer who is in the 12th grade or in an accredited college program may apply. 
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: May 31, 2021

Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Any law enforcement Explorer who is at least in the 12th grade may apply
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: May 31, 2021

Summary of Criminal Justice Scholarships

1. Maine Chiefs Of Police Memorial Scholarship
2. Gene Carte Student Paper Competition
3. The Brian Terry Foundation Scholarship Program
4. Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship
5. Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship

Scholarships that are closed, but will open soon

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (must be a US citizen).
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

Lincoln Legal Professionals Association Scholarship

• Eligibility: The Association is offering a scholarship to a Nebraska high school or college student who wishes to further his or her education in the legal support field at an institution of higher education and who carries a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: March 18, 2021

Susan M. Hunter Scholarship

• Eligibility: For full-time undergraduate/graduate students who are children of full-time employees (either past or present) of a member agency. Undergraduates must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and graduate students must major in either Corrections or Criminal Justice.
• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: TBD (Opens February 1, 2021)

New Leader Scholarship

• Eligibility: Juniors and seniors attending one of the following universities: California State University, East Bay; San Francisco State University; San Jose State University; Sonoma State University or University of California, Berkeley. Must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be majoring in social sciences, human services, health-related fields or public service.
• Amount: Up to $8,000
• Deadline: March 10, 2021