
Farheen Gani
The cost of higher education in the U.S. is increasing, and so is student debt. Taking on debt to fund a college education was a direct path to social and financial advancement, but the latest studies show that student debt might hinder it. The good news is that help is out there for those who need it, and more scholarships are available than ever.
Those interested in studying forensic science will be pleased to find a wealth of scholarships to help fund their education. That said, winning an award takes work. It is time-consuming to assemble transcripts, records, and recommendations and write essays and personal statements—especially for students in the middle of the most critical years of their education.
Some scholarships may seem small compared to overall tuition rates and the amount of work required to apply, but the rewards add up. As all forensic scientists know, sometimes the little things provide the key to what you seek.
Common forensic science award requirements include a strong grade point average, letters of recommendation, and essays. Some ask applicants to have completed part of their undergraduate forensic science programs, while others are open to any year of study. Other types of scholarships have also been created for applicants from particular demographics, socioeconomic standing, or regional affiliation.
Here are 25 scholarships to consider in forensic science and investigation in 2022-2023.
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Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship Program
Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world leader in serving science. Its mission is to enable its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. They do this by helping them accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market, and increase laboratory productivity.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship Program awards scholarships to eligible life science students.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Program
Established by Congress in 1986, this scholarship honors the legacy of Senator Barry M. Goldwater and his 56 years of service as a soldier and statesman. It is considered the most prestigious undergraduate award in America for research in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. While forensic science is not an explicitly stated pathway for this award, many related fields are chemistry and biology. The Foundation plans to award approximately 450 scholarships in 2023.
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
This scholarship program was named after Larry Jennings and Tracy Ritchie, both members of the ACFE. They were among 5 people who were fatally wounded when terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan fired upon their vehicle. They were en route to Union Texas’ Karachi office. Through this scholarship, the ACFE Foundation supports the education of those who are interested in pursuing a career in fraud examination.
Formed in 1973 in Quantico, Virginia, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) is a nonprofit professional society of crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers.
The organization’s mission is to foster professional interests, develop laboratory management principles, share forensic-based information, improve communication between crime laboratory directors, and encourage high standards of practice in the field. This scholarship is awarded to graduate and undergraduate students in forensic science on an annual basis as approved by the Board of Directors.
Gladys Carol Scholarship Program
Gladys Carol was extraordinarily intelligent. If she was allowed to attend a university or college, there is little doubt she would be running a fortune 500 company or have found a cure for a dreadful disease today. Instead, she got married and had children.
This scholarship program was established by Gladys’ daughter, Cheryl, as a way to pay forward her mom’s sacrifice. The mission of this scholarship is to financially assist high school graduates, high school seniors, and current undergraduate students wanting to pursue a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) degree in the United States.
Sandy Jeffers Memorial Scholarship
University of Tennessee’s College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology offers the Sandy Jeffers Memorial Scholarship to honor Sandy Jeffers, who was admitted to the MA program in anthropology at the University of Tennessee, where she completed her undergraduate degree in 2003. Because of her interests, Sandy’s family established this award for supporting undergraduate students studying forensic anthropology or historic archaeology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) is an international professional organization for firearm and tool mark examiners. It publishes a peer-reviewed scientific journal, hosts a variety of resources on its website, and holds an annual training seminar that acts as a forum for presentations, workshops, networking, and discussion. This scholarship is awarded annually to students seeking a forensic science career.
The Floyd E. McDonald Scholarship
The Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS) is a nonprofit society of professionals who work in the scientific examination of physical evidence. Its goals are to connect forensic scientists, improve forensic techniques, exchange best practices, encourage academic research, and keep SWAFS members informed about innovations in the field.
The SWAFS Floyd E. McDonald scholarship exists to encourage studies that prepare them for a career in forensic science.
Johnson-Whyte Memorial Foundation Fund
The International Association for Identification (IAI) has established this charitable foundation fund to promote research and education in the disciplines of forensic identification. This scholarship was established in memory of Robert L. Johnson of the U.S. Secret Service. He was instrumental in forming the International Association for Identification (IAI) Latent Print Certification Board and served as its first Chairman.
The George H. Robinson Memorial Scholarship
The Chesapeake Bay Division of the International Association for Identification (CBD-IAI) is a nonprofit organization that acts as a regional arm of the world’s oldest and largest forensic association. They offer certification programs for various forensic science disciplines and host seminars and conferences in the area.
The George H. Robinson Memorial Scholarship is for the recognition of criminal justice and forensic science students. It is awarded to selected students, who receive a certificate and a scholarship grant.
The Paul B. Ferrara Graduate Scholarship
This Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Paul B. Ferrara, who served as the director of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, where, under his leadership, the Commonwealth of Virginia developed the first state laboratory capable of performing DNA fingerprint analysis. Dr. Ferrara was also a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he brought the forensic science program to national recognition. Every year, the scholarship is awarded to second-year students from the College of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Forensic Science.
Criteria for selection include conducting research in forensic science or making contributions to the field that impact a forensic science lab, forensic science professionals, or the field as a whole.
The Emily R. Murphy Graduate Scholarship
Another scholarship offered by the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is the Emily R. Murphy Graduate Scholarship which was established to memorialize Emily Murphy, a vibrant young woman with a promising future. Emily Murphy came to Richmond, VA to fulfill her young adult dream of becoming a forensic scientist, where she was awarded full tuition and a stipend to be the Department’s first graduate teaching assistant. Emily died in a car accident in Washington, DC at the age of 22.
This scholarship is available only to VCU graduate students in the Forensic Science Department.
The George W. Chin Memorial Scholarship
The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) is a regionally-based professional society for forensic scientists. This scholarship honors George W. Chin, the self-proclaimed “God of Trace Evidence.” Dr. Chin co-founded the NEAFS Student Forum, where he taught students about the realities of the profession. He had a prolific forensic science career defined by his work in the field and his dedication to mentoring young forensic professionals.
The George W. Neighbor, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
This second NEAFS scholarship honors George W. Neighbor, Jr., a trace evidence examiner and microscopist whose work overturned wrongful convictions and reinforced the need for quality assurance in forensic science laboratories. A former president of the NEAFS, George W. Neighbor left a legacy of mentorship—and many of his mentees have gone on to become laboratory supervisors and mentors themselves.
Carol De Forest Student Research Grant
This is the third award in this list offered by the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists. The NEAFS established this student research grant to honor the enthusiasm and spirit of Carol De Forest, wife of Dr. Peter De Forest, who lost her battle with cancer on October 3rd, 2011.
Always present at the NEAFS meeting, Carol greeted everyone with a huge smile and always had a kind word for everyone. Her influence and role went well beyond the Annual Meeting, as she became affectionately known as “The First Lady of Forensic Science”. This grant was designed to provide full-time graduate or undergraduate forensic science students with financial assistance to conduct research.
The Mike Byrd Science Scholarship
Founded in 1989, the Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT) acts as a support organization for the law enforcement community of Miami-Dade, Florida. With a stated motto of “Serving Those Who Serve,” the organization assists officers and their families in times of need. This scholarship was designed for children of law enforcement professionals who want to pursue a career in forensics and crime scene investigation.
Dr. Fred Jordan Endowed Scholarship
The University of Central Oklahoma has a scholarship portal that matches graduate and undergraduate students to qualifying scholarships. Incoming students will be able to view their scholarship options after they have received their admission decision.
One such scholarship is the Dr. Fred Jordan Endowed Scholarship, which is available to in-state, out-of-state, and international students currently enrolled as full-time graduate or undergraduate students in the forensic science program. This scholarship is presented during the Spring Presidential Partner’s Awards Banquet and was established by Oklahoma’s former chief medical examiner.
Gary Boccia Memorial Scholarship
John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers institutional scholarships for new students and those continuing their studies. One such scholarship is the Gary Boccia Memorial Scholarship. Gary Boccia, who received his bachelor’s degree in forensic science, passed away unexpectedly in October 1998. His family and friends and colleagues who worked with him at the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s Northeast Lab have established the scholarship.
This scholarship is awarded to a part-time or full-time forensic science student. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Michelle Lee Memorial Scholarship
Another scholarship offered by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice is the Michelle Lee Memorial Scholarship. Michelle Lee, who grew up in Queens, NY graduated with a BS in forensic science. She is an alumnus of John Jay College. She passed away on April 27, 2009, at just 24 years old. This scholarship for forensic science was established by her family and friends to celebrate her life, by providing students from underrepresented communities the opportunity to complete their education.
CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship
Dr. Bernard Harris and the Council of the Great City Schools strongly believe that education is key to the country’s development, economic growth, and progress. This scholarship is part of their efforts to support students of color who plan to pursue math and science-related degrees. It was named in recognition of Dr. Bernard A. Harris (a former astronaut, physician, and businessman).
Four scholarships will be awarded to two Black and two Hispanic students currently completing their senior year of high school (in a member district of the Council of the Great City Schools).
The Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship
The Society for American Archaeology is an international organization that is dedicated to research about and interpretation and protection of archaeological heritage. Cheryl L. Wase was an archaeologist who spent most of her career working in the high deserts of New Mexico.
This scholarship provides funding for undergraduate education in archaeology. It is specifically for women pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with a specialization in archaeology.
Founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world’s largest scientific society. Its stated vision is to improve people’s lives through the power of chemistry, which is accomplished through public advocacy, scientific journals, community partnerships, continuing education, and scholarship programs. More than $1,000,000 in scholarship funds are awarded to over 300 students yearly.
The ACS Scholars Program was founded to support students from underrepresented minority groups who want to pursue a career in chemical science. Over 3,500 students have received funding from the ACS Scholars Program to date.
Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation
This Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to honor Joseph’s spirit. This foundation awards scholarships to students, who like Joseph, struggle with dyslexia (pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field), and empowers them to believe in themselves. Since 2014 the foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to deserving high school and college students.
The Out to Innovate Scholarship
The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) offers the Out to Innovate Scholarship to promote academic excellence and the visibility of talented LGBTQ students in STEM careers. It is also intended to encourage students to be “out” in their professional life and support diversity in the science and tech workforce. Two awards are granted annually.
Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship
The Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship has been established to honor COL Kathleen Swacina’s (USA – Ret.) accomplishments and her affiliation with AFCEA (An educational foundation that is committed to supporting STEM learning). It is funded by the generous donation provided by COL Kathleen Swacina and LTC Daniel Swacina, USA (Ret.).
This scholarship recognizes one outstanding female student who has shown a potential to excel in college studies in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and attends college full-time in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, including community colleges.
Farheen Gani
Farheen Gani is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).