The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute scholarship program provides an opportunity for young people across Virginia to pursue an education in criminal justice. The scholarship is limited to students attending Virginia colleges and universities. The annual application period generally runs from January through April.
Scholarships are available only to students in jurisdictions where sheriffs participate in fundraising efforts, which includes Fairfax Sheriff Stacey Kincaid.
Scholarship applicants must include a personal essay and a letter of recommendation from their county sheriff. "I meet with each applicant to learn more about their activities and long-term goals," said Kincaid. "It’s exciting to be among young people who not only excel academically but who also give back to their community."
Learn more about the application process.
Meet our scholarship winners from 2017
Roya Ansary earned an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College in 2016, graduating Summa Cum Laude, before transferring to George Mason University. She is now a rising senior majoring in Criminology, Law and Society with a minor in Intelligence Analysis. Her GPA is 4.0. She is active in GMU’s Intelligence Community Club and the Afghan Student Union. Roya is committed to pursuing a career in counter-terrorism. “As a young Afghan-American, my drive to mitigate and prevent terrorism is much more deeply rooted than simply an interest in the field,” she explains. “My bi-cultural upbringing has provided me with a unique perspective of a deep gratitude for the opportunities provided in America that I would not have in Afghanistan, and an understanding of the pain and suffering back in Afghanistan. I hope to go into counterterrorism to prevent other nations from being as devastatingly affected by terrorism as Afghanistan has, and to bring about this good as a representative of the United States government.”
Jenniffer Andino Cruz is a rising sophomore at George Mason University, double majoring in Criminology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice, and Foreign Languages, with a concentration in Spanish. Her GPA is 3.8. Jenniffer is active in many clubs and programs including ESOL Ambassador Program at Annandale High School; College Partnership Program at Centreville High School; Research Assistant for the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR); Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society; Hispanic Student Association; Mariposas Mentoring Program; Catholic Campus Ministry; Intelligence Community Club; and The President’s Student Leadership Seminar. She also works as a hostess at a local restaurant to help defray the cost of college. Born and raised in El Salvador, Jenniffer experienced a great deal of violence and injustices. She says that while growing up, “I always wanted to be the one to make a difference, not just 'catch' the bad guys, but promote equity and self-advocacy to others. My mother obtained a law degree from El Salvador and for many years, I figured I could follow her footsteps and make a difference that way, but there was always something that just did not feel right. When I attended Centreville High School, I decided to take Criminal Justice and it was then when I realized I wanted to focus more on the criminal justice/ law enforcement field.”
Jack Katz is a rising junior at George Mason University, majoring in Criminology. He is interested in a career in law enforcement. His GPA is 3.94. He is active in GMU’s Cycling Club, Green Machine pep band (alto sax) and the Anime Club. Jack has interned with the Fairfax County Republican Committee and his member of Congress. He also volunteers with Brother’s Brother Foundation and Stop Hunger Now. Jack is majoring in criminology because “I want to help people and because I find the investigative side of law enforcement fascinating.” He is considering a career as a sheriff’s deputy or a local police officer to help keep the community safe.