Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association Scholarship Award
Each year, the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association provides a scholarship to an outstanding college junior or senior working towards a career in juvenile justice or an associated field.
Amount: $500
Eligibility: Full-time junior or senior attending an accredited college or university in Nebraska who is majoring in criminal justice or a related field (e.g., social work, psychology, mental health). The student should have a stated career interest in juvenile justice or a similar field and have demonstrated a commitment to community and volunteer service. Students must reside in Nebraska and have at lease a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, with preference given to a grade point average of 2.5 or above.
Application Criteria
If the student meets the above stated eligibility, he/she must submit the following required documentation:
- The NJJA Scholarship application
- An essay not to exceed three (3) typed pages. The essay should include the following information:
Autobiographical information
Area of professional interest
Work experience
Professional growth and development
Volunteer/community service - Two (2) reference letters (one personal and one professional); and
- Current GPA
Application Process
All applications should be submitted using the NJJA application form. Applications will be reviewed and considered according to the scholarship criteria.
Deadline for Applications
Scholarship applications and required documentation must be submitted no later than April 1, 2024. Questions regarding the scholarship, application process, or other related issues should be directed to Tammy Sassaman.
Selection Process
The NJJA Conference Awards Subcommittee, consisting of agents/representatives of NJJA and at least one NJJA Board Member, will review and discuss all applications and submit a recommendation to the NJJA Board for a final approval. The selected applicant will be notified via phone by the NJJA Executive Director or designee. The selected applicant must respond and accept the award from the NJJA representative within 7 days via email or phone call, or another recipient will be selected. The scholarship shall not be awarded to any immediate family member of an NJJA Board Member or any Board Member.
Scholarship Award Presentation
The scholarship recipient will be invited to receive the scholarship award that the NJJA Conference luncheon on May 2, 2024, in Kearney, NE.
The scholarship recipient will be asked to sign a release form granting NJJA to use the descriptive material from the application and photos without compensation for the sole purpose of promoting recognition for the recipient, the award and NJJA.
The recipient will be announced to the news media and will receive the following from NJJA:
- A check for $500
- Waived registration fee for the NJJA conference
- One night’s lodging
- Recognized on the NJJA website as an award recipient
- Recognition through local and state media sources
