# Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act of 2023

This bill creates a new federal grant program that gives money to students pursuing careers in law enforcement. If you're a student studying criminal justice or law enforcement at an accredited college, you could receive up to $4,000 per year to help pay for your education, with a maximum total of $16,000 over your studies.

To qualify for these grants, you need to be enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program in law enforcement or criminal justice at a school approved by your state's Police Officer Standards and Training Board. The program is competitive, meaning the government will select recipients based on criteria they'll establish. Part-time students would receive reduced amounts proportional to their enrollment status. The grants can't exceed what your school actually costs, and they work alongside other financial aid you might receive.

Here's the catch: if you receive this grant, you're making a commitment to work as a full-time law enforcement officer for at least four years within eight years of graduating. You'll need to provide proof of employment from your law enforcement agency each year. If you fail to complete this service requirement, the grant converts into a loan that you'll have to repay with interest, just like a regular student loan. However, the bill includes exceptions for people who can't work due to medical issues resulting from their law enforcement duties—they can be excused from the remaining service requirement.

The bill also repeals a separate program related to university sustainability initiatives, though that change is unrelated to the main grant program. The government would need to appropriate funds specifically for this new law enforcement grant program, and it cannot take money away from existing Pell Grants or direct loan programs.