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 the students within The University of North Carolina System. The North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) administers the scholarship to the students attending private, non-profit colleges in North Carolina.
Current Applicant Prerequisites – Applicants must be a North Carolina resident enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours in an undergraduate degree granting criminal justice program at one of the institutions of The University of North Carolina or the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Applicants must express an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement and must be recommended by their local sheriff. Selection of recipients is based on the following priorities:
Priority 1 – – a child or step-child of a North Carolina Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff
Priority 2 – – a child or step-child of any North Carolina law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty
Priority 3 – – a child or step-child of a North Carolina Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff who is deceased or retired (regular or disability)
Priority 4 – – an academically eligible North Carolina criminal justice student with demonstrated financial need (these applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA)
Eligible UNC Universities –
| Appalachian State University | North Carolina State University |
| East Carolina University | The University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Elizabeth City State University | The University of North Carolina at Pembroke |
| Fayetteville State University | The University of North Carolina at Wilmington |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Western Carolina University |
| North Carolina Central University | Winston-Salem State University |
Eligible Private Colleges or Universities –
| Barton College | High Point University | North Carolina Wesleyan College | |
| Belmont Abbey College | Johnson C. Smith University | Pfeiffer University | |
| Brevard College | Lees-McRae College | St. Augustine’s University | |
| Campbell University | Lenoir-Rhyne University | University of Mount Olive | |
| Catawba College | Livingston College | William Peace University | |
| Chowan University | Mars Hill University | Wingate University | |
| Gardner-Webb University | Meredith College | ||
| Greensboro College | Methodist University | ||
| Guilford College | Montreat College | ||
Value of Scholarship – Each Criminal Justice Scholarship is valued at $2,000 per year, $1,000 for the Fall semester and $1,000 for the Spring semester. Scholarship funds not used due to student withdrawal, or dismissal, must be refunded to the NCSA by the university.
Application Process and Procedure – One nominee for the scholarship is chosen each year by the financial aid office at each eligible college or university, subject to approval by the NCSEAA or NCICU, and subject to continued funding by the Association. Applications must be approved and signed by the financial aid official at the college or university. The Financial Aid Official will mail the chosen application(s) to either NCSEAA (Post Office Box 41046, Raleigh, NC 27604) or NCICU (530 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27604).
2023-2024 NCSA Annual Scholarship Awards
| Stephen Day | Appalachian State University |
| Haley Toler | Barton College |
| Meghan Tropeano | Belmont Abbey College |
| Nathaniel Mahoney | Brevard College |
| Matthew Solomon | Campbell University |
| Derrick Wade | Chowan University |
| Victoria Blount | Elizabeth City State University |
| Colby Kirkland | Gardner-Webb University |
| Ashley Jasso-Hernandez | Guilford College |
| Xavier Bell | Johnson C. Smith University |
| Kaylee Messick | Lees-McRae College |
| Azia Thomas | Livingstone College |
| Brandon Edwards | Mars Hill University |
| Alexandra Chapman | Montreat College |
| Kristin McGeachy | North Carolina A&T State University |
| Colin Ellington | North Carolina State University |
| Zachary Scott | North Carolina Wesleyan University |
| Madison Lowery | Pfeiffer University |
| Calleigh Hubbard | The University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Austin Overby | The University of North Carolina at Pembroke |
| Latecyia Johnson | The University of North Carolina at Wilmington |
| Mariana Crespo | University of Mount Olive |
| Cassondra McClung | Western Carolina University |
| Benaja Taylor | Winston-Salem State University |
