**Now Accepting**

2026 PORAC Scholarship Grant Applications

ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application. They must be either a current high school senior or currently enrolled in an accredited college pursuing an associate, bachelor or higher college degree. Applicants over the age of 25 may be considered if they are medically retired from their employing agency and have joined RAM within six (6) months of retirement (proof required).

Applicants are eligible for scholarship grants in accordance with the POREF Bylaws when a parent, grandparent, caregiver or relative is an active member as defined in Article II of the PORAC Bylaws.  Grandparents, caregivers or relatives must be the court appointed legal guardian or have legally adopted the applicant (court documents are required and membership will be verified by PORAC). A spouse or dependent(s) of an active PORAC member who has died in the line of duty are also eligible to apply.

Additional eligible applicants include; an Active PORAC member or Active member who has medically retired (proof may be required; dependents are not eligible) from their employing agency; applicants whose parents membership is defined as Honorary and record is maintained by PORAC; and applicants whose parents were active members as defined in Article II of PORAC Bylaws and upon retirement immediately join RAM (6 month time lapse allowed between memberships). Limited, Reserve, Associate and out-of-state membership types are not eligible for scholarship grants.

The following criteria will be considered for scholarships: Academic achievement, school activities, community service and essay.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (All of the below must be completed or your application will be disqualified):

1. The scholarship is to be used for scholastic and vocational fields only.
2. Grade point average of 2.0 (based on a 4.0 system) upon high school graduation. (Applies to dependents only)
3. Maintenance of a minimum 2.0 grade point average if selected as a recipient.
4. A resume of school activities and community service. Include a copy of transcripts (official or unofficial) through your most recent semester.
5. A recent color photo (at least 2 ½ in. x 3 ½ in., not digitally altered).
6. Applicants must submit a 500 word essay on the essay topic below. All submissions will be reviewed using AI-assisted tools for grammar, plagiarism and originality. Essays found to contain plagiarism or determined to be primarily AI-generated will result in disqualification.

ESSAY TOPIC: How has growing up in a law enforcement family shaped your values, challenges, and goals?

If you are a dependent your parent or legal guardian must be available to sign the application at the end of the application process.

NOTE:  All applications MUST be submitted electronically.

  Paper applications (mail, email, fax) will NOT be accepted.

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ABOUT POREF

In 1980, PORAC formed a separate nonprofit charity for educational and training purposes. This foundation is the Peace Officers Relief and Education Foundation (POREF). One of the main functions of the Foundation is the sponsorship of a Scholarship Grant Program.

The Scholarship Grant Program is part of PORAC’s ongoing effort to improve the quality of the law enforcement profession in California. The Scholarship Grant Program was developed from PORAC’s strong sense of commitment to individual communities and the PORAC members who serve those communities.

The funding for the POREF Scholarship Grant Program comes from PORAC members, member associations, the general public and corporate sponsors. Scholarships are not restricted upon the applicant’s field of endeavor. However, it is our hope that this scholarship will encourage young people to give serious consideration to the field of law enforcement as a career.

The Scholarship Grant Program is administered by a committee comprised of volunteer members representing the four regions of PORAC. Appointed by PORAC’s president, the Committee is responsible for soliciting contributions to the Fund, enlisting applicants, awarding scholarship grants and monitoring the program.

Scholarship Committee Members

Randy Beintema 
Region II Representative (Chairman)

Mike Pruger 
Region I Representative

Justin Doering
Region III Representative

Vacant
Region IV Representative

Each year, PORAC is honored to provide a scholarship grant that is available to the dependents of our active and retired members and the spouse or dependent of an active member who died in the line of duty. Members who have medically retired from a regular PORAC association are eligible for the scholarship grant as well. PORAC’s Scholarship Grant Program provides financial assistance to applicants who are attending or will be registering for college.