Admissions

 

Merit Scholarships for Entering J.D. Students

Dean’s Scholarships are offered to highly qualified students in each entering first-year class.  These scholarships vary in number and amount each year, and are renewable under the terms outlined below.  As part of the Dean’s Scholarship program, we also offer at least two Dean’s Teach for America Scholarships. The terms and criteria for the Teach for America scholarships are the same as those for the Dean’s Scholarship program, except that only current or former Teach for America corps members will be considered. Every applicant accepted for admission to the J.D. program is automatically considered for available merit scholarships, and no additional application is required.

Criteria for Entering Student Scholarships:

Every J.D. applicant accepted for admission is automatically considered for available merit scholarships, and no additional application is required. The following factors are considered when awarding merit scholarships:

  • Applicant's academic record, including previous undergraduate and/or graduate institutions and test scores
  • Applicant's letters of recommendation
  • Applicant's demonstrated interest in obtaining an advanced degree as evidenced by the personal statement and other application materials
  • Other relevant qualifications

Terms for Renewing Merit Scholarships:

Merit scholarships awarded to entering J.D. students, including Dean’s Scholarships and Dean’s Teach for America Scholarships, are renewable under the following terms, unless otherwise specified.  For full-time entering students, scholarships are for all three years of the J.D. program, provided the student maintains continuous full-time enrollment and a minimum 2.9* cumulative GPA. For part-time students, scholarships are for all four years of the J.D. program, provided the student maintains a continuous full, part-time course load and a minimum 2.9* cumulative GPA.  If the student transfers from the part-time program to the full-time program, the scholarship will expire upon graduation from the JD program or at the conclusion of the fourth year, whichever comes first.
Scholarships are paid in two equal installments each year, one each for the fall and spring semester. No payment is made for summer enrollment.  The scholarship will be applied to the student’s university financial account.

*A 2.9 cumulative GPA generally equates to students in the top 70% of the entering class.  For more specific information, please refer to the Class Standing chart. 

Click here for scholarship retention rates.

Dean's Award Ceremony

Each year, the UHLC offers several scholarships to currently enrolled students.  During this ceremony, the Law Center recognizes student achievement in a number of areas. Winners will be announced at the Dean's Award Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Submission deadline was February 19, 2013.


Outside Scholarship Sources

Applicants are encouraged to search for outside scholarships. Some suggestions are www.fastweb.com, www.aie.org individual organizations, sororities or fraternities, social clubs, religious or business organizations, employers of a parent, spouse or friend, foundations, town or city clubs, community organizations and civic groups such as the American Legion, YMCA, 4H Club, Elks, Kiwanis, Jaycees or girl & boy scouts. Any organization connected with your field of interest. Other options:

Fellowships

  • The Houston-Galveston Schweitzer Fellows Program® is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. Applicants must be enrolled throughout the Fellowship year (April 2012-May 2013). Fellows receive a stipend of $2500, distributed in (3) payments throughout the Fellowship year as specific program objectives are completed.

Bar Scholarship for Students Taking the July 2013 Bar

Scholarships

Applications on this site are also available on the scholarship literature rack in the Student Services suite.

 

  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship $ partial or full tuition - A law student enrolled full time who can demonstrate a commitment to the study of natural resources law is eligible to apply for these scholarships. Application deadline: JD applicants is March 31, 2013. LLM applicants is April 15, 2013.
  • Franklin Jones, Jr. Memorial Scholarship $7500 - Selection criteria: Residence in the Eastern District of Texas; Demonstrated financial need or hardship; Commitment, qualities and actions toward ethics, civility, and professionalism; Academic merit or other qualities showing a likelihood of law school success; Written and/or oral communications skills; Leadership qualities and community involvement; Member of a historically under represented group in the practice of law. Application accepted March 1 through April 15.
  • Mexican American Bar Association Scholarship $ - Full time Hispanic student that is in good standing. Application deadline is April 15, 2013.
  • Honorable Jackson B. Smith Jr Scholarship $ - Must be first generation law student and must be of Christian faith. Application deadline is April 15, 2013.
  • Student Scholarship Program for Single Fathers $5000 - Program is to help economically disadvantaged students who are at risk of dropping out of school due to a lack of financial support. Submission deadline is May 1, 2013.
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ) $ amounts vary on the 5 different scholarships - AAJ offers more than $20,000 in annual scholarship funds, as well as programs for law students to enhance their legal education by attending AAJ’s 2013 Annual Convention in San Francisco, CA. Submission deadline is May 1, 2013.
  • Intellectual Property Law Section State Bar of Texas $5000 - The purpose of this scholarship is to facilitate and encourage women and minorities to enter the practice of intellectual property law in Texas, and to become active members of the State Bar IP Section, by assisting these students with their financial needs. Selection criteria of the scholarships include: merit, scholastic performance, and financial need. Consideration is also given to extracurricular activities both inside and outside law school. Application deadline is May 3, 2013.
  • Houston Lawyers Association Bar Scholarships $1000 - Offered to third year law students who are taking the Texas Bar Exam in July 2013. Submission deadline is May 3, 2013.
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Awards - Submission deadline is May 3, 2013 by noon.
    • Blanche Espy Chenoweth Graduate Fellowship $2500 - Awarded to a student doing work on a thesis on a WGSS topic.
    • Patricia A. Eichhorn Endowed Scholarship for Returning Student $500 - This scholarship is in support of non-traditional, returning students who are furthering their education.
    • Friends of Women's Studies Student Essay Prize $250 - best undergraduate and graduate essays on women's studies topics.
  • Spouses of Houston Barristers $? - Provides financial assistance to a 2L or 3L ethnic minority law student at UH Law Center. Application deadline is July 12, 2013.

Writing Competition

Applications on this site are also available on the literature rack in the Student Services suite.

University of Houston Law Center
Financial Aid & Scholarship Office
100 Law Center
Houston, Texas 77204-6060
(713) 743-2269
School code 003652
lawfinaid@uh.edu