Indiana Homeland Security Foundation Scholarship Program
News/Updates
Foundation Scholarships on Hold for 2022
The Homeland Security Foundation will not issue scholarships in 2022 as the foundation outlines a strategy for the future. As a result of declining revenue in recent years, the foundation is considering a variety of options, including expanding opportunities for citizens and corporations to donate to the fund. These donations support scholarships for students pursuing a first responder career and grants supporting public safety at the local level for lifesaving equipment, standard operational items and supplementing current capabilities. You can donate online or purchase a First Responders license plate to support the foundation.
In 2021, the foundation issued 31 grants totaling more than $116,000 and six scholarships totaling $10,000.
About the Indiana Homeland Security Foundation Scholarship Program
Funding for the Indiana Homeland Security Foundation comes from revenue from "First Responders" license plate sales. The foundation, one of the first of its kind in the nation, provides financial support for critical public safety needs across Indiana. The foundation offers scholarships to provide higher education financial assistance for Indiana students who wish to pursue a degree pertaining to public safety.
A full-time student with at least twelve (12) credit hours is eligible for a $2,000 scholarship, and a part-time student with at least six (6) hours is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. The program funds are intended solely to reimburse eligible student educational expenses.
Application (Notice of Funding Opportunity)
- Apply for the Scholarship
The application period is now closed. Want to stay updated? Sign up to receive emails when new grant information is available.
Application
- Notice of Funding Opportunity 2022 Indiana Homeland Security Foundation Scholarship Program
- Notice of Funding Opportunity 2021 Indiana Homeland Security Foundation Scholarship Program
First-time Applicant?
Applicants without an active iGMS account should complete the following steps to obtain one:
- Complete the New iGMS User Form.
- Return the form to IDHS Grants Management by emailing it to grants@dhs.in.gov. Put "FY21 Scholarship: New iGMS user" as the email's subject line.
Hours
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
except state-observed holidays
Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security
Indiana Government Center-South, Room E208
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Call us: 317-232-2222
Email us: grants@dhs.in.gov
Eligibility
An Indiana resident who is an incoming or continuing student who:
- Attends or will be attending an accredited Indiana college.
- Must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Volunteers at a public safety organization such as fire, law enforcement, emergency management or emergency medical services (validated by chief executive). IDHS will determine compliance eligibility. For more information on the compliance of an organization, contact the council coordinator.
Note: Applicants who are state employees or special state appointees are not eligible for a scholarship.
An application will require the following:
- Complete a foundation scholarship application form and include an official college or high school (for incoming freshman) transcript.
- A recommendation letter from the public safety organization’s chief executive describing the volunteer work completed by the applicant.
- A resume or list of past employment, awards, honors, and/or volunteer/service activities.
- A minimum 500-word essay describing why the applicant is applying for this scholarship and why the applicant believes volunteering is important.
- A completed Vendor Information Form (State Form 53788).