Scholarship

LUCA BENEDETTI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM -DUE April 5, 2024

The Atascadero Police Foundation (APF) believes in the importance of a strong foundation for those entering law enforcement and encourages the next generation to make a positive impact in their community.

The APF established the Luca Benedetti Memorial Scholarship Program in 2024 in honor of Detective Luca Benedetti, to provide financial support to students pursuing a career in criminal justice or public service.  After attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduating from the Alan Hancock Police Academy, Luca Benedetti began his law enforcement career with the Atascadero Police Department, serving our community for four years. As an Atascadero Police Officer Benedetti earned the Top Cop Award from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving for 3 consecutive years, a trend he would continue when he later joined the San Luis Obispo Police Department, earning the honor an additional 4 times. On May 10, 2021, while serving a search warrant as a San Luis Obispo Police Department Detective, Benedetti was tragically shot and killed, survived by his wife, Grace, and two young daughters. We remember him for his dedication to law enforcement and commitment to his community.

This scholarship program offers a unique opportunity for distinguished students seeking careers in public service to receive financial support while also honoring the memory of a dedicated law enforcement officer who made a significant impact on his community. The Atascadero Police Foundation is proud to sponsor this program in honor of Detective Luca Bendetti’s legacy and encourages all eligible students to apply and pursue their passion for justice and public service. We look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of distinguished students through our annual college scholarships.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
Either
A current student from the Atascadero Unified School District
or
A dependent of a current or retired Atascadero Police Association member, or dependent of a current full-time employee of a San Luis Obispo County Law Enforcement Agency.
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Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent in both Junior and Senior years of high school and a satisfactory school attendance record.
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Be eligible for graduation or have graduated from high school on or before June of 2024.
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Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice or a related public service field from an accredited two-year or four-year college or demonstrate a strong commitment to the field of criminal justice and/or public service through academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or community involvement. Colleges must be accredited as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Have participated in service or community-oriented activities.
Applicants from all backgrounds and demographics are encouraged to apply.

Application Process:

1. Application Requirement:
Submit a completed APF Scholarship Award Application and all application materials per the Deadline and Submission Process.

2. Academic Excellence:
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent.Provide official transcripts or academic records as proof of academic performance and attendance records. If official transcripts are not available, unofficial copies of report cards may be substituted on a case-by-case basis.
Proof of acceptance in an accredited two-year or four-year college.

3. Essay Requirement:
Submit a well-written essay (500-1000 words) on one of the provided topics, discussing your passion for criminal justice, career aspirations, and how you intend to make a positive impact in the field. Essays will be evaluated based on originality, clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of arguments. Applicants must submit all required materials and a 500-word essay on ONE of the following topics:
-Examine the prevalence of gun violence in schools and propose strategies for improving school safety and addressing underlying risk factors.
-Analyze the influence of peer pressure on students' decisions regarding drug use, and propose strategies for improving drug education and promoting healthy choices in schools.
-Discuss what insight you have gained from having a law enforcement member in your immediate family and how has this shaped your understanding of the role of law enforcement in society.

4. Letters of Recommendation:
Provide at least two letters of recommendation from professors, academic advisors/school counselors, coaches, or supervisors who can attest to your academic abilities, leadership experience, character, and dedication to the field of public service. Letters of recommendation may not be from a family member.

5. Provide a photograph of the applicant to be used in APF marketing if awarded a scholarship:
‍Photographs should be a headshot with a clear view of the applicant’s face, be taken in an appropriate setting that positively represents the applicant, in full color, and be suitable for APF scholarship publications.

6. Extracurricular Activities and Community Involvement:
Demonstrate involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, internships, and/or employment experiences in the APF Scholarship Award Application.Highlight leadership roles, honors, awards, and/or significant contributions made within these activities. Applicants may choose to include a resume or additional written statement, however, it is not required and may not be submitted in place of the scholarship application form.

7. Deadline and Submission Process
All application materials must be submitted by April 5, 2024.
Applications should be submitted electronically through the Atascadero Police Foundation website.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

8. Selection Process:
A scholarship committee will review all applications and select the most deserving candidates based on the criteria outlined above.
Finalists may be contacted for additional interviews or to provide further clarification on their application materials if needed.
Applicants will be personally notified by April 15, 2024, and are encouraged to be available to attend the public awards announcement on April 27, 2024, 7:30 am-8:30 am in Paso Robles.

9. Award Amount and Disbursement:
The 2024 scholarships award up to $2,000 per recipient. The number of recipients will be determined by the Atascadero Police Foundation Board.
Funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient, to be used to cover tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses.
If awarded, the recipient of the scholarship award must provide the scholarship committee with proof of enrollment before having the scholarship dispersed. These funds will be distributed only if the recipient has fully complied with the foregoing eligibility requirements, meeting all rules and regulations. In the event a recipient does not enroll in the year the scholarship is awarded, they will reimburse the award to the APF Scholarship Fund.

10. Compliance with Terms and Conditions:
Scholarship recipients must agree to comply with any terms and conditions set forth by the Atascadero Police Foundation, including but not limited to providing periodic updates on academic progress and career goals.1

11. Non-Discrimination Policy:
The scholarship selection process will be conducted without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Confidentiality:
All application materials and personal information provided by applicants will be treated with confidentiality and used solely for scholarship selection. Applicants grant the Atascadero Police Foundation, its representatives, and employees the right to take photographs of the applicant and their property in connection with the above-identified scholarship. Applicants authorize the Atascadero Police Foundation, its assigns, and transferees to copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. Applicants agree the Atascadero Police Foundation may use such photographs with or without the applicant's name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and Web content.

Note: These requirements are subject to change based on the discretion of the Atascadero Police Foundation. Applicants are advised to carefully review the specific guidelines and instructions provided by the scholarship provider before submitting their applications.

Scholarship Application

The 2024 Scholarship application period is now closed. Please check back later for info regarding the 2025 application period.