Scholarships for children of police officers range from $1,000 to $10,000. Several nonprofit organizations offer them to help offset sacrifices made by officers and their families. Police officers work long hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, which means spouses and children often have to make do without them. The work has one of the highest rates of illness, injuries and stress, all burdens the officers bring home with them.

ESA Youth Scholarship

The Electronic Security Association, a nonprofit trade association representing the electronic security systems industry, offers annual scholarships for children with a parent or guardian serving as an active police officer, sheriff’s deputy of firefighter. State chapters will select one nominee in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada (Clark County only), New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington or Wisconsin. If you don’t live in any of these states, you can apply for one national slot, and compete against the state nominees for the scholarships. At the time of publication, the awards were $7,500 for first prize and $2,500 for second prize. Applicants must write an essay, "What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community.”

Jeanne E. Bray Memorial Scholarship

The National Rifle Association awards the annual Jeanne E. Bray Memorial Scholarship to children of active or retired police officers who are NRA members, or children of police officers killed in the line of duty who were NRA members when they died. The scholarship was $2,500 per semester, up to $5,000 a year for four years at the time of publication. The scholarship is in memory of Jeanne E. Bray, a former police officer from Columbus, Ohio. A former NRA director, Bray won the National Women's Police Combat Pistol Championship five times from 1962-67. Applications must be received by Nov. 15 for the subsequent year’s awards.

American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens Scholarship

Hundreds of children of police officers killed in the line of duty each year win scholarships through the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens: Police Family Survivors Fund. You can use the funds toward tuition, books, housing or education-related fees at any four-year college, technical or vocational school. The scholarships covered $1,000 a year for up to four years at the time of publication. You must reapply each year. You need a 2.0 grade point average and a course load of at least six credits to qualify. Application reviews typically take 30 to 60 days.

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