USA - WIFLE Scholarships Program 2009: Scholarships in Law Enforcement for US Citizen

WIFLE Foundation, Inc. and Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc. (both known as WIFLE) are organizations with a goal to achieve gender equity within federal law enforcement through the recruitment, retention and promotion of qualified women in law enforcement, and to develop an information-sharing and support network for all women in law enforcement.

In July 2006 the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics announced that as of September 2004, there were more than 106,000 full time personnel authorized to make arrests and carry firearms in the Federal government. Women represent 16.1% of that workforce. There remains much to be done to achieve gender balance within the federal agencies. It is in the spirit of achieving this goal that WIFLE offers scholarships.

THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Purpose: WIFLE offers several scholarships to talented individuals to meet the demands in the field of law enforcement and to foster the professional development of those engaged in law enforcement. The dollar amount of each scholarship will be $2,500, but can vary based on numerous factors. WIFLE awarded $16,000 in scholarships in 2008. Awards may be renewable on subsequent applications.

Eligibility: WIFLE scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic potential, achievement, and commitment to serving communities in the field of law enforcement. The scholarship is open to all eligible persons. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must:

• physically attend and be a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university; or be currently enrolled full time in a fully accredited community college with the intention of transferring to a four-year degree;
• have completed at least one full academic year of college work at an accredited college or university or community college;
• major in Criminal Justice or a related discipline such as social sciences, public administration, computer science, finance, linguistic arts, chemistry, physics, etc., leading to a four-year degree (Students in graduate and postgraduate programs are also eligible; students pursuing Associate degrees are not eligible, unless as stated above, fully articulate in the application their intention to transfer to a four-year program.);
• have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA);
• demonstrate a commitment to the community through a 500-word essay describing their involvement in a community project, and the results or impact of that involvement to the community; OR, if the applicant is currently serving or has served an internship with a law enforcement agency, preferably a federal law enforcement agency, the applicant must provide details including the name of the agency, the dates served and describe the value of the experience and the accomplishment through the internship in a 500-word essay;
• have at least one community leader or member of a community or police official sponsor their application with a written statement of support;
• submit a completed application with the required information, 500-word essay, transcripts, and a recommendation letter from a community leader or police official;
• be a citizen of the United States.
  

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

Information and applications are available through the WIFLE website at www.WIFLE.org and must be received by the Scholarship Coordinator no later than May 1, 2009. Extensions will not be granted. Applications that are incomplete or received after the deadline will not be considered. Letters of recommendation should be mailed with the application, if possible, but must be received by the deadline. Recipients will be notified by May 22, 2009, and awards will be mailed directly to the educational institutions. For answers to specific questions, contact WIFLE by e-mail at WIFLE@comcast.net. Mail all applications to the attention of the Scholarship Coordinator at:

WIFLE
Attention: Scholarship Coordinator
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 102
PMB-204
Arlington, VA 22201-3324