HESAA Gives Back: The Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship

There are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers now serving in the United States. These officers risk their lives to help keep our communities safe. Some officers end up giving the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In the past 10 years, 1,439 officers have died in the line of duty; that’s an average of 144 deaths per year or one death every 61 hours. These officers often leave behind a spouse and children. In addition to the grief and heartbreak that comes from the death of a loved one, there can also be a huge financial impact for the surviving family. This is why the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) of New Jersey created a special scholarship called the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial scholarship. With the cost of education rising, we wanted to make sure that the spouse and children of these fallen officers have the opportunity to pursue an education. Below you will find the details regarding what the scholarship covers, who is eligible to apply and the application process.

Benefits

The Law Enforcement Officer Memorial scholarship covers up to the cost of attendance, less other scholarships, grants, benefits and other assistance awarded under HESAA statute. What’s especially great is that these awards are renewable for up to four years! Students must attend an approved New Jersey college, university or degree-granting proprietary school. You can view the list of approved schools on the New Jersey Grants and Scholarships page at HESAA.

Eligibility

Students must:

• Be a dependent child of a New Jersey law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at an approved New Jersey college, university or degree-granting proprietary school
• Be registered with Selective Service (if required)
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Students who have received the maximum number of payments are not eligible

Application Process

Applying for the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship is simple. Visit the New Jersey Grants and Scholarships page on HESAA’s website where you will find the application. Make sure you get your application submitted before the deadlines below:

• Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 semester Deadlines: October 1, 2016
• Spring 2017 Semester Deadline: March 1, 2017

We encourage you to share this information with anyone that you feel may be eligible for this special scholarship. We want to make sure that these individuals know that HESAA is here to support them should they decide that they want to pursue an education. We are glad for these opportunities to support members of the New Jersey community.

Source: http://www.nleomf.org/facts/enforcement/