A college education is an investment in your future, and it can be a very expensive one at that. Luckily, many funding options exist for degree-seeking students. Financial aid for criminal justice majors is no different. Many loans, grants, and scholarships are available, but in order to qualify, you must start your search early. Start by filing a FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of the year you plan to enroll, to determine early which grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans you can qualify for.

Here are some suggestions to get you started as you look into funding your criminal justice education.

Loans:

The most common federal student loans are Stafford loans. They are unsubsidized or subsidized, depending on the student, and the award amount will depend on individual’s financial need. Private loans can be larger, are attainable by a student or parent and do not require repayment until graduation; eligibility and approval is based on an applicant’s credit score. PLUS loans are applied for by parents and have a yearly limit. Only parents with dependant undergraduate students that are enrolled at least half-time can qualify. Payments on PLUS loans begin about 60 days after the loan is distributed.

Grants & Scholarships:

Some grants and loans are reserved for criminal justice students. Look to your local community for funding; many communities encourage the pursuit of a criminal justice degree as many g