Dupage Policy Journal

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) has announced its plan to award over $58,000 in college scholarships for the academic year 2024-25. This program, established in 1979, speaks to the ISA’s ongoing commitment to education and youth development in Illinois. The scholarships are earmarked for the usual post secondary expenses like tuition, books, and fees.

According to the ISA, the selection process for these scholarships is conducted by the county sheriffs of Illinois, with a deadline for application submissions set for March 15. Once the applications are received, the sheriffs will review, vote, and tally the winners. Last year, the ISA distributed an impressive 117 awards to deserving students.

In an exciting development for the upcoming academic year, the ISA has introduced an additional funding opportunity. Thanks to an anonymous memorial donation, the association will now offer an extra $500 to a student specializing in criminal justice or law enforcement. This annual award will continue until the donated funds are fully exhausted.

The scholarships are open to full-time students enrolled in accredited institutions within Illinois, including online learning platforms. However, it is important to note that applicants must be permanent residents of Illinois and must use the scholarship at institutions within the state.

Interested students can obtain the scholarship application from their local county sheriff’s offices or through the ISA website. Applicants are expected to submit their responses to the essay question and all other required documentation to the sheriff’s office in their permanent county of residence by the March 15th deadline.

Sheriff John Thompson, the President of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, emphasized the importance of this scholarship program in supporting the education and development of young people in Illinois. He stated, "We are proud to continue our longstanding tradition of providing scholarships to deserving students. This program allows us to invest in the future of our state by supporting the educational aspirations of our youth."

For more information about the ISA scholarships and the application process, interested individuals can visit the ISA’s Youth Outreach page on their website.