Virginia Sheriffs' Institute Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Virginia Sheriffs' Institute
Overview
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute (VSI) awards scholarships to support residents of participating Virginia jurisdictions who are pursuing studies in criminal justice. These scholarships are funded through sheriff-led fundraising efforts and are available only to students who live in counties or cities where the local sheriff is a VSI member and has authorized a direct-mail special appeal to raise scholarship money. Awards are restricted to students enrolled at Virginia colleges or universities for the 2026–27 academic year.
Eligibility
- Residency and sheriff participation: Applicants must be permanent residents of a Virginia county or city whose sheriff is a VSI member and has approved the special-mail fundraising campaign that supports this scholarship program.
- Voter/ID requirement: Students 18 years of age or older must be registered Virginia voters and submit a copy of their voter registration card. Applicants under 18 must submit a government-issued photo ID that shows their home address as proof of residency.
- Field of study: Only students majoring in criminal justice (or equivalent criminal justice programs) qualify. Pre-law, law, and other legal degree tracks are not eligible.
- Enrollment: Only applicants attending a Virginia college or university for the 2026–27 school year will be considered.
Important dates and deadlines
- Application available online at the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute website by January 31, 2026.
- Completed online applications and all required materials must be submitted by May 1, 2026. This deadline is firm and will be enforced.
- Certificates of award will be mailed to participating sheriffs’ offices by the end of May 2026.
Award types and payment
- Two scholarship categories will be awarded: one for full-time students and one for part-time students. All awards within each category will be the same dollar amount.
- After the student’s college and major are verified, scholarship checks will be made payable directly to the educational institution the student listed on the application. A current college or university student ID will be required before a scholarship check can be issued.
Application requirements (checklist)
To be eligible for review, applicants must submit the following items online by May 1, 2026:
- A current letter of recommendation from the sheriff of the jurisdiction where you live and vote. The recommendation must be signed by the sheriff personally; letters from deputies or other office staff will not be accepted. Old or previously used recommendation letters are not acceptable.
- A fully completed online application with an electronic signature. Paper or unsigned submissions will not be considered.
- Confirmation that your declared major is in the criminal justice field (not pre-law or law).
- Proof of attendance at a Virginia college or university for 2026–27.
- An essay as required by the application.
- Transcripts:
- Incoming freshmen: high school transcripts and proof of acceptance to the college or university.
- Current college students: college transcripts that indicate the student’s major (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
- Proof of residency/voter status:
- Applicants 18 and older: a copy of your Virginia voter registration card.
- Applicants under 18: a government-issued photo ID that includes your home address.
Notifications
- Successful awardees: Certificates will be sent to the respective sheriffs’ offices by the end of May 2026. Scholarship checks will be issued to the institution after verification and upon presentation of required student ID.
- Unsuccessful applicants: Letters of rejection will be mailed directly to applicants from the VSI office.
How to apply
The 2026–27 Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute scholarship application is available online. Visit the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute website to access the application and submit all required materials by the May 1, 2026 deadline.