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: TBA for spring 2020.
The 2019 Dean’s Awards Ceremony was held Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
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:
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).
- Commitment to Diversity Scholarship $5000 - Each applicant must (1) be in his/her 2L year; (2) have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 at the time of application; and, (3) submit the completed application. Deadline: September 20, 2019.
- 4 Minority Scholarships/merit and financial need based $? - Awarded to a 2L or 3L minority law student from the DFW Metroplex area. Deadline: September 30, 2019.
- Criminal Justice Scholarship – Law Student Video Contest $1500 - Video topic: 1) Educates the audience about DWI laws in Texas. 2) Promotes safer drinking habits by suggesting ways to avoid getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Deadline: October 1, 2019.
- Immigration Lawyers Scholarship $1000 - Essay Topic: How immigrating to the United States or being the children of immigrants improved your life or someone in your family’s life. Deadline: October 1, 2019.
- Texas Young Lawyers Association Diversity Scholarship (TYLA) $5000 - Recipient must attend a Texas ABA approved law school. TYLA recognizes diversity based upon gender, national origin, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status and geography. Deadline: October 18, 2019.
- Pusch & Nguyen Scholarship $1250 - Essay topic: Reasons why people continue to drink and drive, despite the widely used ride-share applications available today. What initiatives could be executed to address those reasons. Deadline: November 1, 2019.
- Legal Studies Scholarship $2500 - Essay topic: Why are you interested in the study of law? Deadline: November 30, 2019.
- Workers’ Rights Advocacy Scholarship $ varies - Essay topic: Describe your interest in advocating on behalf of workers or discuss a unique experience with workers’ rights issues. Deadline: November 30, 2019.
- Ashoori Law Good Deeds Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Introduce yourself, explain your act of kindness, the impact it has had, and how it has shaped you. Deadline: December 1, 2019.
- Keith Williams Law Group Annual Scholarship $1500 - Essay topic: Explain the adversity in your life and difficulty in school that you have overcome and fought through to get where you are today. Deadline: December 1, 2019.
- Toscano Law Firm Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Explain a personal hardship or catastrophic event that you have experienced. Did you manage to overcome the obstacle? How did you grow from the experience? Deadline: December 1, 2019.
- For the People Scholarship $5000 - Essay topic: What does “For The People” mean to you and how would you apply that in your legal career? Deadline: December 1, 2019.
- Altman & Altman Law School Scholarship $1500 - Essay topic: The need and affordability of legal services and propose ideas to help meet the demand of these services. Deadline: Between 11.1.19 and 12.1.19.
- Lemerg Law Scholarship $1250 - Awarded to a law student who fosters an understanding of consumer law. Deadline: December 10, 2019.
- The Reeves Law Group Scholarship $5000 - Awarded to the applicant who best demonstrates a genuine desire and goal of using the legal system to fix problems or improve conditions in our society. Deadline: December 15, 2019.
- Elder Abuse and Neglect Scholarship $700 - Submit an original elder abuse and neglect article. Deadline: December 29, 2019.
- Mesriani Law Group Scholarship $500 - Exceptional leadership skills; Outstanding work ethic; Commitment to serve less fortunate litigants; Unquestionable integrity and moral character; Resilience in the face of adversity. Deadline: December 31, 2019.
- Renee Torgenson Memorial Scholarship $1000 - The notion of equality in justice is a crucial aspect of law; candidates must demonstrate their passion to use justice to improve their community and help real people. Ideal candidates must exhibit related values within their research, volunteer work, prior job experience, or extra curricular activities. Deadline: December 31, 2019.
- DDR Lawyers Legal Scholarship $1500 - Essay topic: What you hope to achieve in your legal career if awarded this scholarship. Deadline: January 31, 2020.
- DC Law Scholarship $2000 - Essay topic: How could we improve our rules of procedure and/or rules of evidence to provide for a more fair and just civil jury trial? You can respond in the context of the Federal Rules, or any state that you prefer. Deadline: January 31, 2020.
- Morgan Law Group Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Describe the area of law you intend to pursue. Deadline: January 31, 2020.
- The Advocates Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: What are some of the daily problems bicyclists face on the roads? How aware are we of bicyclists and the laws associated with them? How can you contribute to improving awareness and road safety for bicyclists? Deadline: January 31, 2020.
- Krist Law Firm Scholarship $5000 - Essay Topic: A time when you faced a significant ethical dilemma. What was the situation and what did you do? Deadline: March 31, 2020.
- KNR’s Stop Distracted Driving Scholarship $5000 - Applicants will be required to develop a plan that will persuade young adults to avoid distracted driving. Deadline: March 31, 2020.
- Plaxen and Adler Scholarship $2500 - Applicant must show to be an outstanding and promising scholar, have an interest in civil trial advocacy and possess a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
Writing Competitions-All award criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).
- AALA Law Student Writing Contest $? - Topic: Discuss any modern and relevant topic related to agricultural law. Deadline: October 15, 2019.
- American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers Writing Competition $5000 - Topic: Aspect of U.S. consumer financial services law with topics that relate principally to securities regulation, bankruptcy, insurance, or the safety and soundness aspects of banking regulation are not eligible. Deadline: December 1, 2019.
- International Refugee Law Student Writing Competition $100 + travel expenses to annual meeting in Geneva - Topic: Any topic related to international law and refugees, stateless persons, internally-displaced persons (IDPs), and forced migrants. Deadline: January 15, 2020.
- Center for Alcohol Policy Writing Competition $5000 - Topic: During the United States Supreme Court 2019 term, the Court announced in June its decision in Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas. Based on the Court’s decision, what do you believe will be the next steps for alcohol policy in the United States? Deadline: January 17, 2020.
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
