Examine Your Scholarship Opportunities in Forensic Science: CSI

You’ve seen the popular TV shows and now you know you want to be a professional CSI. Details?

How much does school cost, what do CSIs major in and can you get some scholarship help to pay for it?

Forensic Science – the official field of study in which pro CSIs study-- embraces a myriad of interlocking specialties. This is one of the newer interdisciplinary fields. Just think, what other cutting edge and sometimes pulse-pounding career combines chemistry, physics, criminology, psychology, law, and biology?

Because this is such a cutting-edge field AND professionals are high in demand, expect to find a good number of very viable scholarship sources and award programs that you have a good chance to win.

Career Options

Anticipate a career in which you are engaged with law enforcement in a scientific capacity. Science, technology and the tools with which all the pieces of a crime scene puzzle may be put together are the realm of the Forensic specialist. But not all forensics experts are on crime scenes. There are also computer forensics experts, fire investigators, and accident scene investigators—all ultra-specialized forensic scientists.

Forensic Science Scholarships from Colleges and Universities

Your school is without a doubt a top source on your scholarship hunting list. No one has a more vested interest in your success as a student and that includes financial assistance. Forensic Science programs are available online as well as offline—just something to keep in mind while you’re examining all your sources. For example,

Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania offers a $2,000 annual scholarship for Forensic Science students in their freshman year of study. Criteria include academic excellence and commitment to the field.

Scholarships from Forensic Science Associations and Other Private Sources

Professional organizations are important pieces of your scholarship puzzle. Their mission is to support working professionals as well as support students who will enter the field. Depending upon your area of forensic expertise you could find quite a few good awards.

The Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners offers an annual scholarship to student members. The AFTE Scholarship awards multiple $1,000 scholarships that may be renewed for eligible candidates.
The Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists awards the Floyd McDonald Scholarship. This goes to support the enthusiasm and efforts of FS students committed to success in the field. Awards are a few hundred dollars and based on member gifts.