North Carolina Sheriffs' Association Criminal Justice Scholarship

The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association (NCSA) created the Criminal Justice Scholarship Program to assist students who are dependents of law enforcement officials or who are studying in the criminal justice field and express an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. The NCSA sponsors this scholarship program. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the scholarship to students within The University of North Carolina System, while the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) administers the scholarship to students attending private, non-profit colleges in North Carolina. Applicants must be North Carolina residents enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours in an undergraduate degree granting criminal justice program at one of the eligible institutions. Selection is based on priorities including children or step-children of North Carolina Sheriffs or Deputy Sheriffs, children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, children of deceased or retired law enforcement officers, and academically eligible criminal justice students with demonstrated financial need. Each scholarship is valued at $2,000 per year, distributed as $1,000 for Fall semester and $1,000 for Spring semester. One nominee for the scholarship is chosen each year by the financial aid office at each eligible college or university. Applications must be approved and signed by the financial aid official and submitted to either NCSEAA or NCICU. Applicants must be recommended by their local sheriff and express an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.