As law enforcement officers, we understand that during our careers we will make many sacrifices to help our communities on a daily basis.  One of those sacrifices is the time spent away from our families, and it is a sacrifice made not only by us as officers and deputies but also by our families, who wait anxiously for our return.

This is one reason why it is so important to us on the MLEOA Board to award these scholarships at our banquet every year. Each time we award these scholarships, it reminds us of how little time we have with our children as they are growing up.  Awarding these scholarships gives us the opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of these bright young adults.

Each year, the association awards three $1,000.00 scholarships to dependents of our membership to help them pursue undergraduate studies at any accredited institution of higher learning or vocational school in Mississippi.  A fourth scholarship is awarded to individuals interested in a career in law enforcement.  Recipients receive $1,000.00 to assist them in achieving that goal and are selected based upon their leadership qualities and their willingness to serve their community.  

An application is available for download and must be submitted by May 15th of each year to be eligible for consideration.  A committee reviews all applications and awards the top three applicants during the annual summer conference.  

General Eligibility Requirements

1. Be considered a dependent child, natural or adopted, of a member in good standing, or if deceased was a member in good standing at the time of death. The parent or guardian must have been a member in good standing one year in MLEOA to become eligible.
2. Be a high school senior. They will be the first considered for the scholarship. In the event not enough applications are submitted by high school seniors to fulfill the number of scholarships to be awarded, then the scholarship committee comprised of the three regional vice-presidents and first vice-president of MLEOA, may consider active college or university students' applications.
3. Possess a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) at the secondary or higher education level.

Click here for more information about the selection and awarding process and here for the application.