Are you aspiring to become one of those law enforcers brandishing that silver star after busting illegal crime syndicates? Or maybe that paralegal working closely on a case? Do you want to identify victims and check for DNA matches like the cool forensic squad in CSI? If you would like to serve the country and put crooks behind bars, then you should consider a career in law enforcement. And with a scholarship to pave (and pay) your way to graduation, you need not worry about the expenses.

Universities and colleges offering courses in law enforcement will most likely have educational grants as well. Before scouting for financial aid from government organizations and private institutions, check first with your college's financial aid services.

In looking for the perfect scholarship, you may want to consider your field of study because most universities and institutions have categorized scholarship programs for different courses such as security, paralegal, public safety, justice administration, legal studies, homeland security, economic crime, criminal justice, crime scene investigating, corrections, and court reporting. Below are some of the grants offered for particular courses.

For students who are interested in studying court cases and working with lawyers, specializing in paralegal may be your best bet. Scholarship grants ranging from $500 to $3,500 are available. The Cleveland Association of Paralegals gives $500 through its Joy King Memorial Scholarship. To qualify, you should have good academic standing and skills in writing essays.

The American Association for Paralegal Education supports its distinguished student-members by awarding them with $500 worth of scholarships each. Another organization recognizing outstanding students is the National Federation of Paralegal Associations which sponsors the annual Thomson-West Scholarship. It is open to student-members who can come up with well-crafted essays about their field of study and have excellent academic performance. Awards given have been over $3,500.

If you have an eye for detail and a nose for detective work then you can very well become the next CSI (crime scene investigator). Course curriculum may include psychology, genetics, microbiology, evidence sampling, legal ethics, marine diving, and forensic chemistry. You may want to consider universities having a department of criminal justice, but there are also organizations sponsoring foundations for forensic study.

The International Association for Identification sponsors two foundations which are actively supporting the field of forensics. Founded in 1999, the William Whyte Foundation provides financial assistance for delegates who are not residents of the country hosting IAI conferences. Focusing on the research and education in forensic identification, the Robert L. Johnson Foundation provides educational grants and research funds. The foundation receives monetary donations and pledges to raise the needed amount.

Would you like to be a court reporter typing away on your stenographic machine during a court proceeding? If yes, you have to achieve dexterity, speed, and language skills which are all called for in this line of work. But don't worry because you can get excellent training from the nearest community college. Instead of the usual four-year degrees, most programs now offer associated degrees or certificates which can be earned in two years. Below are some of the colleges having scholarships for court reporting.

If you are taking up Judicial Reporting or Judicial Broadcasting/CART (communication access real-time transcription) at Clark State Community College in Ohio, you may apply for a Kay Frazier Court Reporting Scholarship. This grant, amounting to $500, is offered to new students who have good academic records from their previous college. The Gadsden State Community College in Alabama offers the Mary Lambert Court Reporting Scholarship for students studying court reporting.

Aside from community colleges, find out from court reporting organizations in your state if they are offering scholarships, too. If you haven't found the scholarship program that suits your needs, you can look into various associations that also provide financial aid to law enforcement students.

In support of African American students entering law enforcement, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives established a scholarship program made possible through donations and fund raising events.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has an educational grant for criminal justice students planning to have careers in law enforcement, particularly on fraud awareness. The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship gives $1,000 to qualified full-time graduate or undergraduate students. They can also apply for one of the ACFE Chapter Sponsored Scholarships. To become eligible, an applicant should fill up an application form and submit an essay, transcript, and letter of recommendation. For more details, please visit their website.