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

Merit scholarships awarded to entering full-time J.D. students, including Dean’s Scholarships and Dean’s Teach for America Scholarships, are renewable for all three years of the J.D. program, provided the student maintains continuous full-time enrollment and is in good academic standing. For part-time students, scholarships are for all four years of the J.D. program, provided the student maintains a continuous part-time course load and is in good academic standing.  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.

Dean's Award Ceremony

Each year, the UHLC offers several scholarships to currently enrolled students.  During this ceremony, the Law Center recognizes student achievements in a number of areas. Please pay particular attention to the criteria/description stated in each scholarship on this application. Deadline 2021: TBA

The 2020 Dean’s Awards Ceremony jas been cancelled due to COVI19..

Outside Scholarship Sources (JD & LLM)-All scholarship criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

Applicants are encouraged to search for outside scholarships with 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:

• American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship 
• UH Alumni Association Scholarships
• University of Houston Foundation
• The National Data Base of Scholarships
• College Board
• The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
• Sallie Mae's Graduate School Scholarship Search
• Students Scholarship Search
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Fastweb
• Chegg Scholarship Search

Entering Students Opportunties

Law Preview Scholarships Sponsored by  Thompson & Knight 

Law Preview (the nation's largest law school prep course) has teamed up with Thompson & Knight to provide Law Preview Scholarships to ten (10)  members of our entering class.  Select members of our entering class can attend a law school prep course this summer at no cost. To learn more about this scholarship opportunity and see if you qualify, visit the following URL: bit.ly/UHLC-LP-Scholarships.  

Law Preview’s “One Lawyer Can Change the World” Scholarship 

Each year, BARBRI Law Preview honors 10 future change agents who are heading to law school. Ten finalists will be rewarded with scholarships to help pay for the first year of law school: First Place ($10k), Second Place ($5k) and Eight Runners-up ($1k). You can review scholarship details here: http://bit.ly/10K_Scholarship. 

Loan Repayment for Recently Appointed Peace Officers

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (The CB) announces Sept. 1 for a new loan repayment program benefitting recently appointed peace officers who have student loan debt.

 

Fellowships/Internships

All scholarship criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

 

Law Center Scholarships

Outside Scholarships (JD & LLM) - All scholarship criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

• GAR Disability Advocates Law School Scholarship $2500 - Essay topic: How has someone with a disability affected you? This can be yourself or someone you know. If you are close to anyone who gets disability benefits, how would their life be different without those benefits? Deadline: October 15, 2020.
• Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Diversity Scholarship  $5000 – TYLA recognizes diversity based on upon gender, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status socioeconomic status and geography.  To apply, complete the application and submit with the applicant’s resume, response to 3 essay questions, letters of recommendation, demonstrated commitment to diversity, academic performance and financial need. Deadline: October 16, 2020.
• Jeremy Rosenthal College Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: What unique qualities and perspective will you bring to your chosen profession that will cause you to stand out from the crowd? Deadline: November 1, 2020.
• Community Leadership Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: What are the three most important characteristics of a community leader and how has your life to date shown that you embody these characteristics?. Deadline: December 15, 2020.

Writing Competitions

All award criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

 

 

University of Houston Law Center
Financial Aid & Scholarship Office
4604 Calhoun Road
Houston, Texas 77204-6060
(713) 743-2269
School code 003652
lawfinaid@uh.edu