Education opens doors, builds opportunity, and strengthens families—and at the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF), we are proud to support the next generation through our Scholarship Program. Designed to honor the dedication and service of correctional professionals and their families, this program helps ease the financial burden of higher education while recognizing academic excellence and commitment.
As we prepare for the year ahead, we are pleased to share details for the 2026 CPOF Scholarship Program.
2026 Application Period
The 2026 scholarship application period will be open from
Monday, January 5, 2026 through Friday, March 27, 2026.
Applicants with questions are encouraged to reach out via our contact form or by phone at 800-800-2763.
Qualifying Criteria
Scholarships are offered to qualifying persons and their children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and spouses.
A qualifying person is an individual who:
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Is actively working or retired from the Corrections profession, and
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Has been an active CPOF member for at least 24 consecutive months prior to applying
Special eligibility note:
Members who enrolled on or before December 31, 2025, may apply after completing a minimum of 12 consecutive months of active membership.
Number of Scholarships Awarded
The number of scholarships awarded each year is based on available funds, with award amounts approved by the CPOF Board of Directors.
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Scholarship recipients may receive up to two awards
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Awards do not need to be consecutive
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
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Be a U.S. citizen or legal non-citizen
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Be a full-time student
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Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
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Demonstrate financial need
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Be enrolled in a:
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2-year or 4-year college or university, or
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Accredited training college or certification program
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Requirements to Apply
To be considered, applicants must:
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Be accepted for admission or previously enrolled
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Complete the scholarship application
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Submit an essay (first-time applicants only)
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Provide:
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Official transcripts, including Fall 2025 grades and GPA
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Acceptance letter (first-year applicants only)
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Awards Are Not Guaranteed
CPOF scholarships are awarded based on merit, eligibility, and available funding, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
Apply Today
Applications open Monday, January 5, 2026.
👉 Apply here:
https://cpof.org/scholarship-application/
Through this program, CPOF remains committed to Taking Care of Our Own—supporting education, honoring service, and investing in the future of correctional families across the nation.