Suffolk students who plan to major in law enforcement or criminal justice at a Virginia college or university are eligible to apply for the Virginia Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program.

“The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage young people to get involved with the criminal justice system,” said Suffolk Sheriff Raleigh Isaacs Sr. “It’s been a pretty successful program.”

The scholarship program is administered by the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute. Each year, residents in Suffolk receive a mailing asking them to contribute money toward the scholarship. The amount awarded depends on how much is collected, Isaacs said.

“Suffolk has been pretty good,” Isaacs said. “We usually get a lot of folks that send money in. That money is given out to the ones who are decided as the winners.”

Isaacs said the scholarship is important for students because of the ever-rising costs of higher education.

“It’s good for them, because going to college is not cheap these days,” Isaacs said. “It’s a great program.”

Students who will be attending college next year are eligible for the scholarship, regardless of where they are in their college career.

Application forms are available at the Suffolk Sheriff’s office, 150 N. Main St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants must major in criminal justice or law enforcement. Those majoring in law will not be considered criminal justice majors for the purpose of this scholarship. Only students living in Suffolk and attending a Virginia college or university will be considered.

All completed applications must be returned to the Suffolk Sheriff’s office by April 16 at 5 p.m. Isaacs then will meet with each student applicant to discuss the application process.

For more information, visit www.vasheriffsinstitute.org/scholarship.