Law Enforcement Family Member Scholarships: Supporting Those Who Serve
Law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. The sacrifices made by these individuals and their families often go unnoticed. To alleviate the financial burden of higher education, several scholarships and programs have been established to support the spouses and children of law enforcement officers. These initiatives recognize the unique challenges faced by these families and aim to provide opportunities for academic and professional advancement.
Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Program
The Alabama House of Representatives passed House Bill 98, sponsored by Allen Treadaway (R-Morris), establishing the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers’ Family Scholarship Program. This legislation creates a scholarship program designed to assist children and spouses of long-serving law enforcement officers with the cost of college and workforce training. The scholarship may be used at participating public and private institutions across Alabama and will cover tuition, required fees and educational materials after other forms of financial aid have been applied.
The program will be administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and will include annual reporting requirements aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency. The bill also authorizes the creation of a distinctive blackout license plate, with proceeds directed to support the scholarship fund.
According to Nathaniel Ledbetter, this legislation reflects our continued commitment to supporting the men and women who serve in law enforcement and the families who stand behind them. He added that the House has prioritized public safety measures in recent sessions and encouraged the Alabama State Senate to approve the measure.
Treadaway, a retired police officer with more than 30 years of service, described the bill as recognition of the sacrifices made by law enforcement families. Treadaway stated that for decades, he saw firsthand the dedication required not only from officers but from their families.
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Currently, the state offers scholarships to families of officers who have been killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.
Arizona Spouses and Dependents of Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers Tuition Scholarship
Spouses and dependents of law enforcement and correctional officers enrolled in an eligible career and technical education district, community college, university or private postsecondary educational institution are eligible for a scholarship that covers tuition and fees on a first-come, first-served basis.
For eligible students enrolled in a career and technical education district, community college or university, the award amount is up to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees after other financial aid.
For eligible students enrolled at a private postsecondary educational institution, the award amount is up to the average resident tuition and fees charged by universities under the jurisdiction of the board after other financial aid.
How to Qualify (Arizona)
Qualifying students must be either a dependent under the age of 27 or a spouse of a currently employed law enforcement or correctional officer and:
Read also: Council on Law Enforcement Education
- Enroll at an Arizona institution in a program that will award a career technical education district program certificate or license, private vocational program certificate, associate degree or baccalaureate degree.
- Must be a resident of Arizona at the time of this application and must be an Arizona resident when the scholarship disburses.
- The law enforcement officer or correctional officer must be a resident of Arizona.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Submit a copy of the Law Enforcement Officer’s Commission Card as applicable.
- Submit a current employment verification letter.
- Submit a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate or applicable court order for a dependent.
Per SB 1742, which is retroactive “to from and after June 30, 2025,” A.R.S. § 15-1809.02(3) requires that a scholarship recipient is a resident of Arizona when they both apply for and receive the scholarship.
Fales & Fales, P.A. Scholarship
Fales & Fales, P.A. offers a scholarship that will be awarded to a student (undergraduate or graduate) enrolled at either an accredited law school or an accredited university. A check for $1,000 will be made payable to the award recipient’s school to cover these expenses. The scholarship award is not transferrable to any other school.
Winners agree to provide personal information, as requested, to Fales & Fales, P.A. By accepting the scholarship, winners agree to allow Fales & Fales, P.A.
Applicants should also submit a certified copy of their current transcript confirming satisfaction of the eligibility requirements listed above.
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