Palo Alto Police Giving College Scholarship; Application Deadline Coming Up Soon

PALO ALTO, CA -- Attention South Bay high school and college students interested in law enforcement careers! The application deadline is right around the corner for this year’s $3,000 Martin A. Agueret Scholarship.

This year, applications are due by March 31.

The scholarship is named after Martin Agueret, a long-time volunteer with the Palo Alto Police Department who volunteered more than 8,500 hours of service to the City of Palo Alto.

Agueret donated $50,000 to the Palo Alto Police Department to establish a scholarship program for students who are interested in entering the law enforcement profession. Agueret died in December 2010, just a few days after his 90th birthday.

In his name, the PAPD annually gives the $3,000 scholarship to a graduating senior student from Palo Alto High School or Gunn High School who plans to attend a California accredited college during the following school year. Students attending the College of San Mateo, Foothill, De Anza, Evergreen, or San Jose State are also eligible.

College students must be majoring in criminal justice or a related field, such as political science, criminology, law, probation, or public administration, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Preference is given to students who live in Palo Alto.

For an application, see your school scholarship coordinator, or contact the Palo Alto Police Department Personnel & Training Division via phone at (650) 329-2601.

Applications must be accompanied by three letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a teacher or counselor. The applicant must also submit a 300-word essay explaining why they're seeking a career in one of the above-specified fields.

A high school transcript and (if applicable) a college transcript must also be submitted. All required items must be turned in to the Palo Alto Police Department on or before 4 p.m. Friday, March 31.

The applications will be screened by the Palo Alto Police Department, and a selection will be made on the basis of need, exhibited interest, character, qualifications, and academic ability. The name of the recipient is expected to be announced by April 14.

Image via Palo Alto police