The Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation (POMF) Scholarship Program was developed from a strong sense of commitment to peace officers and their families. The program was instituted for funding higher education for Texas peace officers’ dependents.
Scholarship awards are $1,000 and the number of scholarships awarded is subject to program funding and donations. We strive to provide one scholarship per CLEAT region, regardless of whether or not the parent/guardian is a CLEAT member. The application opens annually, January 1 through April 1, every year.
Through this scholarship, the POMF hopes to forever honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Scholarship Requirements
- The applicant’s parent or guardian must be a certified peace officer or detention officer in the State of Texas at the time of application for the scholarship or at the time of the parent’s death. CLEAT membership is NOT required.
- The applicant must be a full-time student at the time of application, taking at least 12 hours of college credit, or applied to be a full-time student.
- Attendance must be at an accredited junior college, community college, or four-year college/university.
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher or other academic mentor of the applicant.
- Create a resume of school and community activities, including any volunteer or charitable work and extra-curriculars. (No more than 2 pages double-spaced)
- Write a personal essay (300± words) to include, but is not limited to:
- How the student is personally connected to law enforcement
- How that connection, or law enforcement in general, has impacted the student’s life
- What the Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation means to the student
- Provide a headshot photo of the applicant for publication if selected.
- Application form and items 4-7 above must be complete and received by the April 1 deadline.
Apply Online!
Applications are closed for 2024. Visit this page beginning January 1st for the 2025 Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dependents of Texas Peace Officers, who are enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university. This includes high school seniors going into their first year of college.
The parent/guardian does not need to be a current CLEAT member or contributor to the Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation.
The Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation Scholarship opens the 1st of the year, every year.
1. Completed application
2. Resume of school and community activities, no more than 2 pages
3. Letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor of the applicant
4. Photo of the applicant for publication purposes if selected
5. Personal essay (300± words) to include, but not limited to:
1. How the student is personally connected to law enforcement
2. How that connection, or law enforcement in general, has impacted the student’s life
3. What the Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation means to the student
In approximately 300 words, the essay should include, but is not limited to, the items listed below:
1. How the student is personally connected to law enforcement
2. How that connection, or law enforcement in general, has impacted the student’s life
3. What the Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation means to the student
The deadline is April 1st every year.
If you are mailing the scholarship application, it must be RECEIVED by April 1st.
If you are filling out the application online, you have until 11:59pm April 1st.
Only completed applications, with all required inclusions, will be considered.
You can apply once a year. Even if you have already been awarded the scholarship one year, you may apply again the next year for consideration.
Yes! First, check with your department to see if they also have a scholarship available. Some departments may have a scholarship program set up that you can apply to.
You can also check state and national scholarship programs designed for families of police and first responders. Here are a few that will get you started on your search:
First Responders Childrens Foundation
Gratitude Initiative
Operation Thank an Officer
Brooking Industries
Electronic Security Association
Be sure to check eligibility requirements and deadlines for each.
There may be additional scholarships available to you, so please do your research and good luck!
Applying online is the preferred method, ensuring fast, direct delivery to our POMF Scholarship Committee.
For a mail-in option, you may download the application here.
Mail in packets must be complete and RECEIVED by April 1.
We do our best to provide as much info as possible here, with the most frequently asked questions addressed. However, if we have missed something, please feel free to email us at:
scholarship@cleat.org
The Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation strives to perpetuate the memory of Texas law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. Since its inception in 1987, the foundation’s uncompromising determination to preserve the rich history of Texas law enforcement and provide support for the families of peace officers has remained unparalleled.
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