$1.5 Million in Scholarships Available for IRSC Law Enforcement Training
$1.5 Million in Scholarships Available for IRSC Law Enforcement Training
September 29, 2022 Jon Pine
FORT PIERCE, FL—The Indian River State College (IRSC) Criminal Justice Institute announced it has received $1.5 million in scholarship funding from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) that will be available to those who qualify and may cover up to 100% of the costs to complete training. The funds will greatly assist those considering law enforcement careers and planning to attend the College’s law enforcement academy.
The Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program (FLEAS) was created by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) to help local recruits complete their training. Indian River State College’s Criminal Justice Institute requested $1.5 million in scholarship funding and in September was notified by the DOE that the entire amount was approved. Funding is approved on a first-come, first-served basis, and IRSC was the second Regional Training Center in the state to request funds.
“This amazing program provides financial support for students that want to protect and serve their communities, but do not have the resources to attend a law enforcement academy,” said Dr. Raimundo Socorro, Dean of Public Service Education at IRSC.
Average in-state tuition at Florida’s law enforcement training academies is more than $4,000. For eligible recruits, the scholarship covers tuition entirely, plus up to $1,000 for additional fees and expenses for such items as the Basic Abilities Test, Physical Abilities Test, drug screening, fingerprinting and background checks, polygraph testing, the Integrity Test, the State Officer Certification Exam, the CJS curriculum, health insurance, tactical boots, uniforms and ammunition.
Eligible recruits must be Florida residents, accepted and enrolled in IRSC’s Law Enforcement Basic Recruitment Academy, and not already sponsored by a law enforcement agency or other sponsors.
“Since learning about the $1.5 million award, some 60 recruits have taken advantage of the scholarship program,” said Lisa Deleon, Director of IRSC’s Criminal Justice Institute. “We anticipate the number of eligible recruits will increase for the upcoming academy sessions in November, January, March and April. Our goal is to alleviate any financial concerns or hardships that might prevent an individual from their dream of becoming a first responder in the state of Florida.”
To apply or learn more about the Florida Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship Program, contact Dr. Socorro at rsocorro@irsc.edu. For more information about the TCPSTC and its other course offerings, visit www.tcpublicsafetytraining.com.
About the IRSC School of Public Service Education
The Indian River State College School of Public Service Education offers 18 programs ranging from Bachelor and Associate degrees to technical certificates. It is housed at the IRSC Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, technologically advanced public safety training facilities. The 50-acre, 8-building complex also supports advanced training for regional first responders.
