Student Scholarships

The Rick Finley Memorial Scholarship was established by the North Little Rock Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in memory of Rick Finley who was killed in the line of duty as a DEA agent. Prior to joining the DEA, Rick worked for the North Little Rock Police Department with Randy Johnson. As Sheriff, Randy was instrumental in building the Rick Finley scholarship fund to its current status as a continuing scholarship for our students. Rick graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree from UA Little Rock. The Rick Finley Memorial Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for scholarships and preference will be given to those who have the desire and intent to pursue a career in a law enforcement related areas.

The Rob Williams Memorial Scholarship was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in memory of Rob Williams who was killed in the line of duty as an ATF agent at Waco during the Branch Davidain Cult Raid. ATF and local law enforcement support a golf tournament to fund this scholarship and have helped build the scholarship fund to its current status as a continuing scholarship for our students. Rob was a student in our Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the time of his death. The Robert J. Williams Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for this scholarship and preference will be given to those currently employed as full-time law enforcement officers or those who have the desire and intent to pursue a career in a law enforcement-related areas.

Harold Zook was a retired Little Rock Police Officer who was instrumental in the establishment of the Associate of Science in Law Enforcement (LEAS) program and the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (BACJ) program. He was a champion of education for first responders and established this scholarship to carry forward our mission of preparing students for careers in the criminal justice field. This scholarhsip is typically awarded to a full-time or part-time student majoring in Criminal Justice. Academic accomplishment and financial need are strongly considered. Preference will be given to applicants who are at the top of their graduating class of Metropolitan Career Technical Center.

Gene Tolliver was one of the early graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program and established this scholarship to help other non-traditional students pursue their educational goals.This scholarship is typically awarded to a full-time or part-time student majoring in Criminal Justice. Preference will be given to junior and senior-level students. Academic accomplishment and financial need are strongly considered.

The Louie Caudell Rotary Club of Little Rock Scholarship was established by the Rotary Club of Little Rock to honor Lou Caudell, a former Chief of the Little Rock Police Department. The scholarship is provided by the Rotary Club of Little Rock to help a current law enforcement officer pursue or continue his/her education and awarded to a full-time or part-time Little Rock Police Department officers who are majoring in Criminal Justice at UA Little Rock.

The Melissa Ma Memorial Scholarship was established by Dr. Frank and Lou Ma, the parents of Melissa Ma who was murdered by her boyfriend in Little Rock. The Ma’s were extremely grateful to the Little Rock Police Department for their work in arresting and helping in the conviction of her murderer. To honor her, they established this scholarship in her name to help others attend college even though Melissa never got the change to do so. This scholarship is typically awarded to a full-time or part-time student majoring in criminal justice or a related field with the intention of working within the law enforcement community. Preference will be given to current police officers. Academic accomplishment and financial need are strongly considered along with dedication to the profession.

The David O. Dillinger Endowed Scholarship was established by his wife in memory of David Dillinger who was a career Arkansas State Trooper and a long time adjunct faculty member in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology. David graduated from the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice programs at UA Little Rock. This scholarship is typically awarded to a full-time or part-time student majoring in Criminal Justice with preference given to senior level or graduate students. Academic accomplishment and financial need are strongly considered. This scholarship is renewable, but the recipient must re-apply annually.

The John A. Boyeskie Memorial Scholarship was established by his brother Ron Boyeskie and his late wife Connie in Memory of John who graduated from our Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program and left us to pursue his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. Ron and Connie have been long-time supporters of our School, continuing to invest in this scholarship fund to promote educational achievement in our field. The John Boyeskie Memorial Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for scholarships and applicants must be enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

The Correctional Leadership Challenge Endowed Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for scholarships up to full tuition, for a minimum of nine (9) semester hours each semester. Applicants must be enrolled in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice or Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and must be an Arkansas Department of Corrections employee.