The Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund

announces our

2019 Memorial Scholarship Awards and our 2019 Academic Scholarship Awards Program

The Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (BALEAF), established in 1999, provides support for law enforcement families who had members killed in the line of duty, seriously injured, or experienced a catastrophic event/illness.

The BALEAF Memorial Scholarship Program seeks to honor our fallen heroes and provide financial assistance to dependents of Law Enforcement Families who wish to pursue a course of study beyond High School at an accredited Business/Trade School, an accredited Two (2) Year College, or an accredited Four (4) Year College/University.  

Scholarship recipients will be determined based on the information provided in the required essay and, may be, if necessary, awarded based on a "Lottery" Selection.  Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and will not be based upon gender, sexual orientation, age, race, creed, national origin, or religious preference.  Applicants seeking financial assistance are limited to the receipt of one (1) scholarship award per year.  Applicants can reapply each year; however, they are limited to a maximum of two (2) scholarship awards. Scholarships funds shall be spent for educational needs and are subject to the terms and conditions in this Announcement and Application.  Scholarship Awards are paid directly to the educational institution on behalf of the scholarship recipient, and may be expended only for tuition, required texts, and associated fees.

The 2019 BALEAF Memorial Scholarship will award (1) One Thousand Dollar Scholarship for 2019, open to all eligibile applicants.  Scholarship Applicants will be limited to the first 100 eligible applications received.

This year, the BALEAF Memorial Scholarship Program will partner with the San Francisco Police Officer's Pride Alliance, with remembering our fallen heroes.  For 2019, we will be honoring Officer Jon Cook of the San Francisco Police Department, who died in the line of duty in 2002.  See Announcement at baleafscholarship@baleaf.org, or at the link below.

Officer Jon Cook of the San Francisco Police Department, who died in the line of duty on June 12, 2002.  Officer Cook was responding to a call of an officer needing assistance with the arrest of a domestic violence suspect, when his patrol vehicle collided with another patrol vehicle, which resulted in Officer Cook's fatal injuries.  Officer Jon Cook had been with the SFPD for 2 years, and was the first LGBT officer to die in the line of duty.  Officer Cook is survived by his loving family and friends.

This year, BALEAF will sponsor the 2019 Academic Scholarships to remember and honor the families of those Law Enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, or were seriously injured, or experienced a catastrophic event/illness or loss of life.

The BALEAF 2019 Academic Scholarship will award two (2) scholarships each for $1,000 - open to all eligible applicants.

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be an eligible dependent of a sworn or non-sworn employee (active, retired or deceased) of a Law Enforcement Agency within the 9 Bay Area Counties (San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara, Alameda, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Contra Costa).  Eligible dependents include spouse, children, adopted children and step children.

Application Requirements

• Online Applications and Written Essays will be accepted beginning March 29, 2019. SEE APPLICATION LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION AND ESSAY INFORMATION.
• A Completed and Signed Application, and Completed Written Essay, must be received by 5:00 pm on April 29th, 2019.  See link below.
• Scholarship winners will be announced on May 15, 2019.
• Proof of Enrollment.  Applicants must be enrolled in the fall semester of the forthcoming school year.
• Full Time Student.  Applicants must be a Full Time student carrying a minimum of 12 units per semester or 6 units per quarter.
• Have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher.
• A copy of your most recent school transcripts must be provided.
• Student I.D.  A student I.D. number and proof of enrollment must be provided before scholarships are awarded.
• A Written Essay on topic attached.

The Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund

announces the

Deputy Ryan Zirkle Scholarship Award

The Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (BALEAF), established in 1999, provides support for law enforcement families who had members killed in the line of duty, seriously injured, or experienced a catastrophic event/illness.

The BALEAF Scholarship Program, in partnership with the San Francisco Police Credit Union, has established a Scholarship Award for 2019 in memory of Deputy Ryan Zirkle of the Marin County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty on March 15, 2018.  We will be awarding One (1) $1,000.00 Scholarship for 2019 for all eligible applicants from the Marin County Sheriff's Office.  Scholarship Applicants will be limited to the first 100 eligible applications.  See Announcement at baleafscholarship@baleaf.org, or at the link below.

Deputy Ryan Zirkle of the Marin County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty on March 15, 2018.  Deputy Ryan Zirkle was responding to a 911 call, when he was involved in a single vehicle accident. Despite the absolute best efforts of the Marin County Fire Department and his shift partners, Deputy Zirkle did not survive the injuries he sustained in the accident.  Deputy Zirkle was a 2-1/2 year veteran, and is survived by his fiancee, parents and two brothers.

The Deputy Ryan Zirkle Memorial Scholarship will provide financial assistance for dependents of Law Enforcement Families who wish to pursue a course of study beyond High School at an accredited Business/Trade School, at an accredited two (2) year College or at an accredited four (4) year College/University.

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be an eligible dependent of a sworn or non-sworn employee (active, retired or deceased) of the Marin County Sheriff's Office.  Eligible dependents include spouse, children, adopted children and step children.

Application Requirements

• On-line Application and Written Essay will be accepted beginning on March 29, 2019. SEE APPLICATION LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION AND ESSAY INFORMATION.
• A Completed and Signed Application, and Completed Written Essay, must be received by 5:00 pm on April 29, 2019.  See link below.
• Scholarship winners will be announced on May 15, 2019.
• Proof of Enrollment.  Applicants must be enrolled in the fall semester of the forthcoming school year.
• Full Time Student.  Applicants must be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 units per semester or 6 units per quarter.
• Have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher.
• A copy of your most recent school transcripts must be provided.
• Student I.D.  A student I.D. number and proof of enrollment must be provided before scholarships are awarded.
• A Written Essay on topic attached.

Link for Application and Essay download click here:     APPLICATION