Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi announced Wednesday the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2012.

The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors established a fund of 15 $600 scholarships for students attending peace officer skills courses or studying for a two- or four-year law enforcement degree.

“The Board of Directors feel peace officers in our democratic society have complex duties to perform,” Amazi said.

The scholarships are meant to help students who excel but struggle with the costs of their education. A scholarship committee will attempt to ensure scholarship winners represent all geographical areas of the state.

To qualify, students must have completed at least one year of the two-year program or two years of the four-year program. Students meeting those criteria can pick up an application form from the sheriff’s office or go online at www.mnsheriffs.org.