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.
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. Please pay particular attention to the criteria stated in each scholarships on this application. 2017 Deadline: TBA.
The 2016 Dean’s Awards Ceremony was held Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 5PM.
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:
SieferFlatow Law Firm $2500 - Are you looking for a career in helping injured plaintiffs? Submit a cover letter about why you care about the future of your future plaintiff’s personal injury/work comp. Deadline: October 15,2016.
Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies $10,000 - Applicant must have a demonstrated interest in, and wish to make a career out of, working in the labor movement and on behalf of workers’ rights. Deadline: November 7, 2016.
Mark T. Banner Scholarship $5000 - Commitment to the pursuit of a career in IP law. Deadline: November 23, 2016.
“Future Lawyers of America” Scholarship $1000 - Write an essay of 500 - 1000 words describing one personal experience that has inspired you to become a lawyer. Demonstration of community involvement or volunteer experience is a definite plus! Deadline: November 30, 2016.
After Car Accidents Scholarships $1000 - Write an essay on “As a future attorney, what impact would you like to have on our current society?" Deadline: December 1, 2016.
Future Marketing Consultant Scholarship $500 - Essay on how you would use online video marketing to generate new clients for a personal injury law office in Houston, Texas. Deadline: December 2, 2016.
National Tax Law Scholarship $500 -Awarded to a second or third year U.S. law student with a demonstrated interest in tax law. Deadline: December 5, 2016.
National Business Law Scholarship $500 - Awarded to a second or third year U.S. law student with a demonstrated interest in business law. Deadline: December 5, 2016.
Sattiraju Employment Law Scholarship $ 1000 - Special consideration will be given to those who plan on specializing in employment law or who are the immediate relative of a transport/truck driver that has been classified as an independent contractor. Deadline: December 30, 2016.
Barry Davis Attorney at Law Scholarship $500 - Essay that describes the applicant’s leadership and dedication in giving back to his or her community. Deadline: December 31, 2016.
Criminal Defense Scholarship $1000 - Based on merit and need. Essay topic: “Is a specific aspect of the criminal justice system unjust and require reform?”. Deadline: December 31, 2016.
Court System Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: "Why the legal and judiciary system (including courts, jails, police departments, sheriffs, et al) are important to a well founded and structured society". Deadline: January 31, 2016.
Farar & Lewis Law Firm Scholarship $1000 - Essay on why an education is important. Give examples of how you have persevered through the obstacles in order to get an education. What have you learned from these challenges, and how will that prepare you for the challenges you face as a student in a higher education environment? Show examples, and defend your answer. Deadline: February 5, 2017.
Citywide Law Group $1500 - Essay topics: 1)Why do you want to practice law? 2) What adversity you have had to overcome to obtain your goal of attending law school. 3) How you will use your law degree to help others. Deadline: March 1, 2017.
Court System Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: "Why the legal and judiciary system (including courts, jails, police departments, sheriffs, et al) are important to a well founded and structured society". Deadline: April 30, 2016.
Scholarship for Military Veterans $500 - Essay discussing "How can the government help improve veteran lives when they return from their tour of duty?". Deadline: May 1, 2017.
Scholarship for Children of Police Officers $2000 - Write an essay detailing how being the son or daughter of a police officer has influenced you as a college-bound student. Deadline: May 1, 2017.
Center for Alcohol Policy Writing Competition $2500 - Topic: The 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition and put control over alcohol regulation directly in the hands of the states. Though each state’s alcohol control policies are unique, they all include distinct regulations for different types of alcohol. Why are various types of alcohol regulated in different ways? Should they be? Deadline: December 2, 2016.
IEL Hartrick Scholar Writing Competition Topic $2500 - Topic: Relating to energy development. This includes, for example, topics concerning oil and gas law, alternative energy resources, energy regulation, and environmental regulation of the energy industries.
Deadline: December 9, 2016.
Mollie & Paul Hill Student Writing Competition $250 - Topic: Discuss the ways in which the medical and legal professions may work together collaboratively to address the problem of excessive, unnecessary, wasteful, and inefficient provisions of medical services in the U. S. Deadline: January 2, 2017.
Family Law Writing Competition $500 - Topic: Any area of family law, although topics that focus on international or interdisciplinary subjects of family law are especially encouraged. Deadline: February 1, 2017.
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
