Peace Officers Relief and Education Foundation (POREF)

What Is POREF?

The Peace Officers Relief and Education Foundation (POREF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and professional development of peace officers and their families. Through a variety of assistance programs, POREF provides financial relief for medical emergencies, disaster recovery, and educational pursuits. One of the most visible ways POREF invests in the future of law enforcement is by offering scholarship grants to eligible officers, spouses, and children.

Purpose of the Scholarship Grant

POREFs scholarship program is designed to:

• Encourage higher education and continued learning among peace officers and their families.
• Alleviate the financial burden that can accompany tuition, books, and related expenses.
• Support career advancement, specialized training, and academic achievements that benefit the lawenforcement community.

The foundation awards a limited number of grants each year, ranging from partial tuition assistance to fullride scholarships, depending on available funds and applicant qualifications.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Applicant Type: Active or retired peace officers, spouses, or children (including stepchildren) of eligible officers.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Academic Status: Enrolled or accepted for admission to an accredited college, university, or vocational program (associates degree or higher). Highschool graduates pursuing postsecondary education are also eligible.
• GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Financial Need: Demonstrated financial need is preferred but not mandatory.

Application Components

To be considered, candidates must submit a complete package that includes:

1. Online Application Form: Fill out all required fields on POREFs web portal.
2. Official Transcripts: Submit copies from all postsecondary institutions attended.
3. Proof of Enrollment: Current class schedule, acceptance letter, or enrollment verification.
4. Personal Statement (500800 words): Explain your educational goals, career aspirations, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
5. Letter of Recommendation: One letter from a supervisor, professor, or community leader familiar with the applicants character and academic potential.
6. Financial Documentation: Recent tax return, FAFSA summary, or other evidence of financial need (optional but recommended).
7. Proof of Police Service: Badge number, agency identification card, or a verification letter from the employing agency.

Application Timeline

All deadlines are subject to change; always verify dates on the official POREF website.

• Opening Date: First Monday of January each year.
• Submission Deadline: June 30 (midnight PST).
• Review Period: July August.
• Notification: Winners announced in early September via email and posted on the POREF website.
• Award Disbursement: Typically within 30 days of acceptance, paid directly to the educational institution.

Selection Process

The POREF Scholarship Committee reviews each application based on four primary criteria:

1. Academic Merit: Grades, course difficulty, and progress toward a degree.
2. Financial Need: Level of demonstrated need relative to the applicants circumstances.
3. Community Involvement: Volunteer work, mentorship, or other contributions to the lawenforcement community.
4. Future Impact: How the applicant plans to use the education to benefit public safety or the officer community.

Applicants are not required to meet a specific score threshold; the committee balances all factors to select a diverse group of scholars.

Award Amounts

Grant values vary yearly. Typical award ranges include:

• Partial scholarships: $1,000 $2,500
• Full tuition scholarships: Up to $5,000 per academic year (subject to cost of attendance)
• Specialized awards: Up to $7,500 for graduate or professional programs related to lawenforcement, criminal justice, or public safety.

Recipients may receive a single award or multiple installments, depending on program length and continued eligibility.

Maintaining the Scholarship

To keep the scholarship active, scholars must:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 each semester.
• Submit a brief progress report (no more than one page) at the end of each semester, detailing academic performance and any relevant extracurricular or professional activities.
• Notify POREF immediately of any change in enrollment status, address, or financial situation.

Failure to meet these conditions may result in suspension or termination of funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for more than one POREF scholarship?

Applicants may only receive one POREF scholarship at a time. If you receive multiple offers, you must choose which one to accept.

Do I need to be a fulltime student?

Both fulltime and parttime students are eligible, provided they are making satisfactory progress toward a degree.

What if Im a retired officer?

Retired officers and their dependents remain eligible, as long as they meet the other criteria.

Are there restrictions on the field of study?

While any accredited program is permissible, scholarships are often prioritized for majors related to criminal justice, public administration, education, health sciences, and other fields that enhance community safety.

How is the award disbursed?

Funds are sent directly to the schools financial aid office and applied to the students account. Any balance not used for tuition will be refunded to the scholar.

How to Apply

Ready to start? Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official POREF scholarship portal: poref.org/scholarships
2. Create a secure account and review the complete application checklist.
3. Upload all required documents in PDF format (maximum 5MB each).
4. Complete the personal statement and submit the form before the June 30 deadline.
5. After submission, you will receive an automated confirmation email with a reference number.

Contact Information

If you have questions or need assistance, the POREF Scholarship Team is happy to help.

• Email: scholarships@poref.org
• Phone: 18885551234 (MondayFriday, 9am5pm EST)
• Mailing Address: POREF, 1234 Justice Way, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001