Scholarships

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate Criminology and Criminal Justice majors on the Omaha and Lincoln campuses. Applications for the scholarships are due at the same time each year on April 1st. Below is a list of the available scholarships, eligibility criteria and information about applying.

Jeff Marshall Memorial Scholarship

The Jeff Marshall Scholarship Fund provides support for students admitted to the undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice Program who are enrolled full-time at UNL. A maximum of $750 will be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Enrolled at UNL on a full-time basis.

(2) Criminology and Criminal Justice major of junior or senior standing at time of award.

(3) Expressed desire to work in an area of public service.

(4) Demonstrated academic growth and future potential.

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:

(1) Transcripts.

(2) A resume.

(3) An application essay of 300-500 words describing academic progress, activities, career goals, and how you plan to be of service to your community. 

Joe Carroll Scholarship

Up to $1000 may be awarded to an outstanding Lincoln police officer that has reached senior standing (by the time of award). 

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:

(1) Transcripts.

(2) A resume.

(3) An application essay of 300-500 words describing academic progress, activities, career goals, and how the award meets financial need (if applicable). 

Wade and Alice Knapp Scholarship

The Knapp Scholarship Fund provides for two or more scholarships to undergraduate students in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Up to $2000 per scholarship will be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Must be majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice on the UNO or UNL campus.

(2) Financial need shall be a criterion in making this award.

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:

(1) Transcripts.

(2) A resume.

(3) An application essay of 300-500 words describing academic progress, activities, career goals, and how the award meets financial need.

(4) Verification of FAFSA that includes the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). 

UNO/UNL Criminal Justice Education Scholarship

The Board of the Criminal Justice Education Fund will be taking applications for a scholarship to be given to an undergraduate or graduate student in criminal justice. Multiple awards of up to $1000 may be available.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Criminal Justice student in either UNO/UNL undergraduate or graduate program.

(2) Scholastic achievement.

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:

(1) Transcripts.

(2) A resume.

(3) An application essay of 300-500 words describing academic progress, activities, career goals, and and how the award meets financial need (if applicable).

Webb Family Scholarship

The Webb Family Scholarship Fund provides support to undergraduate students in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Up to $1000 will be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Must be majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice on the UNO or UNL campus.

(2) Must have senior standing by time of award.

(3) Preference given to students wanting to pursue graduate education.

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:

(1) Transcripts.

(2) A resume.

(3) An application essay of 300-500 words describing academic progress, activities, career goals, and and how the award meets financial need (if applicable).

Deputy Chief Monroe Coleman Scholarship

The Deputy Chief Monroe Coleman fund provides support to undergraduate students in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice with an interest in law enforcement. Up to $1000 will be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Must be majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice on the UNO campus
(2) Expressed desire to pursue a career in law enforcement
(3) Financial need shall be a criterion in making this award

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:
(1) Transcripts
(2) Resume
(3) Verification of FAFSA that includes the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
(4) An application essay of 300-500 words that discusses the student’s academic progress, goals, need, and the motivation for pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Monroe Coleman Biography

Monroe Coleman served 36 years in the Omaha Police Department and was the city’s first African-American to hold the post of deputy police chief. He was known as an excellent homicide detective and an important asset in the major crimes unit. He commanded respect from those who knew him. Everyone from the young people living in his north Omaha neighborhood to prominent elected city officials admired Deputy Chief Coleman for his high standards and uncompromising ethics. Originally from Louisiana, Coleman’s family moved to Omaha when he was two years of age. He graduated valedictorian from Omaha South High School and studied sociology at Omaha University, now the University of Nebraska Omaha. He served in the armed forces during World War II and retired from the Army Reserve as a colonel. Following his successful, long-term career with the Omaha Police Department, Coleman retired in 1984 at the age of 65. He continued to live in Omaha and passed away at the age of 94 in November of 2013.

photo of Monroe Coleman

Monroe Coleman

Detective Kerrie Orozco First Responders Scholarship

The Detective Kerrie Orozco First Responders Scholarship fund provides support to undergraduate students with a desire to pursue a career as a first responder (local, state, or federal law enforcement, fire, or EMT). Up to $1000 will be awarded.

Eligibility Criteria:

(1) Majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice
(2) Resident of Nebraska or Iowa
(3) Junior or senior by time of award (i.e., Fall 2016)
(4) A record of community service
(5) Expressed desire to pursue a career as a first responder
(6) Preference will be given to candidates with financial need and with a GPA of at least 2.5.

To Apply:

Interested students should complete the application form and attach or send:
(1) Transcripts
(2) Resume
(3) Verification of FAFSA that includes the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
(4) An application essay of 300-500 words that discusses the student’s academic progress, goals, record of community service, need (if applicable), and motivation for pursuing a career as a first responder.

Detective Kerrie Orozco Biography

Kerrie Sue Orozco was a native of Southwest Iowa. Born in 1985, Kerrie graduated from Walnut Community School in Walnut, IA. She was very active in high school sports, clubs and community events. After high school, Kerrie earned a criminal justice degree from Bellevue University. She graduated from the Omaha Police Academy on May 15, 2008. After performing various duties with OPD, Kerrie accepted the opportunity to become a Gang Unit Officer and worked in collaboration with the US Marshals.

Kerrie was passionate about helping area youth. She coached a baseball team at the Boys and Girls Club of North Omaha among many other volunteer roles. It was her habit while patrolling the streets to get out of her cruiser to challenge kids in a game of basketball or recruit them to her baseball team. Of course, Kerrie was not after filling roster spots with blue-chip athletes. She was more interested in finding ways to better their lives, letting kids know the community cared for them, and giving them hope when all else seemed hopeless to them.

Detective Orozco proudly served the City of Omaha for 6 ½ years before she was shot and killed in the line of duty. Her self-giving life has inspired many. The recipient of the Detective Kerrie Orozco First Responders Scholarship has a unique opportunity to contribute to Kerrie’s legacy and make a lasting contribution to our community.

photo of Kerrie Orozco

Kerrie Orozco