Bill Overview
Title: Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Education may award grants to eligible students attending institutions of higher education to pursue careers in law enforcement. A grant recipient must agree to serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for at least four years within eight years after completing the grant recipient's course of study. If the grant recipient completes less than the required years of service, the scholarship must be treated as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that is subject to repayment.
Sponsors: Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
Target Audience
Population: Students attending higher education institutions interested in law enforcement careers
Estimated Size: 500000
- The program targets students pursuing higher education aimed at a career in law enforcement.
- There are approximately 19.9 million college students in the U.S. as of 2023.
- The program is attractive mainly to students interested in criminal justice or law enforcement degrees.
- Many countries emphasize increasing the number of law enforcement officers and have scholarship programs, affecting similar student populations internationally.
Reasoning
- The grant program targets a specific subset of the student population - those pursuing a career in law enforcement. This means only a fraction of the overall college student body (approx. 19.9 million) may be interested and eligible.
- The program's budget suggests a large-scale implementation, targeting potentially 100,000 students nationwide.
- Not all students awarded the grant may complete their service requirement due to career changes or other factors.
- The commitments required by the program may deter some students, affecting its overall impact.
- We reflect these considerations by including individuals across diverse backgrounds, those directly targeted, and some who are not directly impacted but exist within the broader student demographic.
Simulated Interviews
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this grant program is a fantastic opportunity for someone like me who wants to work in law enforcement but is concerned about student loans.
- Committing to serving four years seems reasonable. The financial support would alleviate my tuition burdens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm currently studying engineering, I've always had an interest in law enforcement due to family members in the field.
- This program could be the push I need to pursue that interest without financial strain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being in graduate school, managing finance is challenging; this grant would be a huge relief.
- The mandatory service period fits well with my long-term career goals, making this program an ideal opportunity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm still figuring out what I want to major in, but having an option like this if I decide on law enforcement is encouraging.
- The potential debt conversion isn't too worrying right now because I'm unsure about pursuing this path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the value in integrating psychology and law enforcement, and this grant could support my career aspiration in community policing.
- The commitment does not deter me as it aligns with my interests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not planning a career in law enforcement, so this program doesn't really affect me.
- I appreciate that it exists for those interested, but it's not applicable to my plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This grant is precisely what I need to support my education without financial stress.
- The mandatory service aligns well with my career goals, providing job security right out of college.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though this program is aimed more at law officers, it might still open up opportunities for management in law enforcement organizations post-graduation.
- I'm considering the potential long-term benefits even if it means a career shift.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a returning student interested in corrections, this grant is a perfect match to support my studies with minimal debt.
- The requirement to serve is welcome since it covers my target career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This grant intrigues me because of the intersection of cybersecurity and law enforcement, possibly mitigating financial concerns.
- The service commitment is not a significant deterrent given my interest level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $650000000)
Year 2: $515000000 (Low: $412000000, High: $669000000)
Year 3: $530450000 (Low: $418240000, High: $689070000)
Year 5: $561722500 (Low: $448529600, High: $730414900)
Year 10: $613858500 (Low: $490062900, High: $797829000)
Year 100: $6138585000 (Low: $4900629000, High: $7978290000)
Key Considerations
- Lower bounds assume a conservative adoption with moderate costs, while higher bounds assume extensive adoption of partial or full funding levels.
- Cost benefits from converted loans due to unmet service obligations require ongoing monitoring and adjustment based on outcomes.
- Balance of financial aid distribution among different socioeconomic groups should be ensured to uphold fairness and accessibility.