UTSA and HCAP offer several scholarships specifically for students pursuing criminology and criminal justice.

Applications open in February of each year and close on April 1. To apply, create your profile on the Scholarship Hub.

Selection Criteria:

  • Must be in good standing with UTSA.
  • Must be an undergraduate student classified as a junior or senior.
  • Must have declared Criminal Justice as major.
  • Must be enrolled on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 hours) as an undergraduate actively pursuing a degree at UTSA.
  • Must not have been placed on academic suspension, probation, or dismissal during the last 24 months.
  • Must have an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Must submit a typed personal statement (250-500 words double spaced) to identify personal and/or professional goals, the role of the scholarship in the attainment of these goals, contributions to UTSA, extracurricular activities, community involvement and any other information that may help the committee make a scholarship decision.
  • Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Must not have been found guilty of a felony criminal conviction under sate of federal law.
  • Must be a resident of Texas.
  • Optional recommendation form may be submitted by the faculty member to the department offices.
Supplemental Questions
  1. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  2. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
  3. When is your expected graduation date?
  4. Please write a biographical essay (no more than 500 words) describing obstacles or challenges faced in obtaining a higher education. Include personal and/or professional goals and the role of the scholarship in obtaining these goals. Also include any contributions made to UTSA and other information that will help the committee make an informed decision.
  5. Have you ever been found guilty of a felony criminal conviction under state or federal law?
  6. Have you been placed on academic suspension, probation or dismissal during the last 24 months?
  7. Please upload the optional recommendation form.
  8. Are you pursuing an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice?
Full details

Recipient must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student and actively pursuing a degree in the College for Health, Community and Policy in either Criminal Justice or Public Administration. (An exception to full-time enrollment may be granted by the Dean of the college on a case-by-case basis when the student is not required to take a full course load to graduate, provided the student is enrolled part-time as determined by the University).

Recipient must be majoring in criminal justice or public administration. Recipient must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Preference will be given to students who transfer from Alamo Colleges District.

Supplemental Questions
  1. Are you transferring or did you transfer to UTSA from the Alamo Colleges District?
  2. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  3. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
  4. When is your expected graduation date?
  5. Are you pursuing an undergraduate degree in either Criminology and Criminal Justice or Public Administration and Policy?
Full details

  • Recipient(s) must be enrolled full-time and pursuing an undergraduate degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice.
  • Recipient(s) must have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA

An exception to full-time enrollment may be granted by the Dean on a case-by-case basis when the student is not required to take a full course load to graduate, the student must be enrolled at least half-time.

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” – Norman Schwarzkopf
Applicants must submit an essay, 300 words or less, discussing a time in their life when doing the “right thing” wasn’t their easiest choice and how it was navigated.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Supplemental Questions
  1. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  2. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
  3. When is your expected graduation date?
  4. "The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it." - Norman Schwarzkopf - Please upload an essay, 300 words or less, discussing a time in your life when doing the "right thing" wasn't the easiest choice and how you navigated.
  5. Are you currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice?
Full details

To be eligible for this award, applicants:

  • Must be pursuing a graduate degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Public Administration, Sociology, or Social Work.
  • Must be enrolled in at least 6 hours per semester (unless a student only requires 3 hours to complete the degree, exception can be made to required part-time enrollment).
  • Overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
  • Must write an essay describing why you should be chosen for the scholarship (excluding your GPA). Please address the following questions: What do you see as your future contribution in the area of public policy or community service? To date, what do you consider as significant events or experiences in your commitment to the pursuit of your education?
  • Must list all clubs, organizations, student government, etc. If any activities involved leadership positions, please indicate.
  • Applicants must list all non-paid community activities in which you have participated in the last four years (i.e. charity groups, church, hospitals, etc.)
Supplemental Questions
  1. Have you received this scholarship before?
  2. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  3. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
  4. When is your expected graduation date?
  5. Write an essay describing why you should be chosen for the scholarship (excluding your GPA). Please address the following questions: What do you see as your future contribution in the area of public policy or community service? To date, what do you consider as significant events or experiences in your commitment to the pursuit of your education?
  6. Community and Volunteer Activities: List all non-paid community activities in which you have participated in the last four years (i.e., charity groups, church, hospitals, etc.)
  7. College Activities: List all clubs, organizations, student government, etc. If any activities involved leadership positions, please indicate.
  8. Are you pursuing a graduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Social Work or Sociology?
Full details

  • Provided to students enrolled full—time in the Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program
  • Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid
  • Scholarship funds will be disbursed equally during the fall and spring semesters
  • Eligible applicants must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA
Supplemental Questions
  1. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  2. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
Full details

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:

  • Must have graduated from a high school in Webb County, Texas or be a current resident of Webb County at the time of application – may require proof of residency.
  • Must plan to enroll on a full-time basis and be actively pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree within the College for Health, Community and Policy at UTSA.
  • Master or PhD degree in any of the following:
    • Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Public Administration
    • Demography
    • Social Work
    • Health, Community and Policy
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Kinesiology
    • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Undergraduate degree in any of the following:
    • Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Public Administration and Policy
    • Psychology
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Health, Aging and Society
    • Healthcare Management
    • Nutrition and Health
    • Nutrition and Dietetics
    • Kinesiology
    • Public Health
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate students (on a scale of 4.0).
Supplemental Questions
  1. How many semester credit hours do you plan to enroll in for Fall 2024?
  2. How many hours do you plan to enroll in for Spring 2025?
  3. When is your expected graduation date?
  4. Please attach a 500-750 word essay explaining how this fund will help accomplish your academic goals.
Full details