“Missouri Blue Scholarship” fund

Governor Mike Parson last Friday announced the launch of the $1 million “Missouri Blue Scholarship” fund to help attract more Missourians to law enforcement careers and address officer shortages in law enforcement agencies across Missouri. The Missouri Blue Scholarship pays $5,000 toward the cost of a Missouri resident attending a law enforcement academy in the state. Missouri Blue Scholarships are now available and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Governor Parson said, “We established Missouri Blue Scholarships to help attract recruits who may not have the resources to attend a law enforcement academy. Missourians support our law enforcement who keep us safe and value the contributions officers make every day. These scholarships are an additional way of showing our support and commitment to those who choose to serve, and it comes as many law enforcement agencies are experiencing officer shortages.” Applicants must be U.S. citizens and Missouri residents attending or planning to enter a law enforcement academy. Missouri Blue Scholarships are paid directly to the law enforcement academy after the completion of eight weeks of training. The scholarships are available to non-sponsored law enforcement training academy recruits, that is, those whose tuition is not being paid by a law enforcement agency. To apply for a Missouri Blue Scholarship go to dps.mo.gov and click on “Missouri Blue Scholarship” under Popular Links. For questions call (573) 526-2765.