Financial Aid & Scholarship

 

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.

Scholarship Retention Rates
Retention Rates

The table above represents merit scholarships for incoming 1Ls.  During the 2012- 2013 academic year, 61.8% of all students received either a merit-based scholarship or a need-based grant.

Beginning in the 2014- 2015 academic year, merit scholarships will no longer be conditional. All merit scholarships will be renewed as long as the student is in good standing and continuously enrolled in a full-course load.  Students who entered law school prior to the 2014- 2015 academic year and who are still enrolled in the JD program will have their merit scholarships renewed for 2014- 2015, including those who had previously lost the scholarship. 

 

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. Submission deadline for 2015 TBA.

 

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

 

Scholarships

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

  • Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation Scholarship $? - Applicant must show financial need. Submission deadline is April 7, 2014.
  • Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation Internship $2000 stipend- Applicants for internships must be willing to commit to a minimum of a four (4) week internship in Dallas. Submission deadline is April 7, 2014.
  • UH Cougars Athletic Alliance Scholarship $1000-$4000 - Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident & demonstrate a financial need. Applicants must demonstrate leadership and/or active participation in a University of Houston organization, as well as demonstrated service within an organization outside of the University. Submission deadline is April 11, 2014.
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation $3000 - $15K - Applicant must be a full time law student who can demonstrate a commitment to the study of natural resources law. Submission deadline: JD applicant is March 31, 2014. LLM applicant is April 15, 2014.
  • HotelsCheap Scholarship Program $1500 - Need-based scholarship rewards students who are looking to better themselves, who have goals and dreams, and who are committed to achieving a college degree. Submission deadline is April 15, 2014.
  • Franklin Jones, Jr. Memorial Scholarship $7500 - Submission deadline is April 17, 2014.
    • 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 (including race, sex, ethnicity, disability, and/or first generation college graduate).
  • UH Staff Council and University Commission on Women Scholarships $1000 - To be considered for these two gender-neutral Scholarships, the staff member:
    • Must be employed in a benefits-eligible position on the University of Houston campus for at least one year as of March 1, 2014.
    • Must have completed 6 hours of undergraduate or graduate credits for evaluation.
    • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
    • Must demonstrate strong commitment to academic excellence and potential to succeed.
      • Submission deadline is April 14, 2014.
  • Napoleon Beasley Defender Award $? - The award recognizes the efforts of a graduating law student who is committed to working on behalf of the defense of children. Submission deadline is April 18, 2014.
  • American Association for Justice: Submission deadline is May 1, 2014
      • Richard D. Hailey Law Student Scholarship $1000 - AAJ's Minority Caucus awards up to six $1,000 scholarships to African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Biracial Law Student Members who are entering their first, second, or third year of law school.
      • Mike Eidson Scholarship $5000 - Awarded annually to a rising 3L (or rising 4L in a night program) female student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a plaintiffs’ lawyer or criminal defense lawyer, along with dedication to upholding and defending the principles of the Constitution, and to the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized.
      • Leesfield Scholarship $2500 - Awarded to a fist and second year AAJ Law Student Member. A 500-word written request substantiating the applicant's commitment to preserving the civil justice system. Also a statement of financial need.
      • Trial Advocacy Scholarship $3000 - Awarded to the applicant who best demonstrates a commitment to AAJ and its mission; a desire to represent victims; interest and skill in trial advocacy; and financial need.    
  • Intellectual Property Law Section State Bar of Texas Women and Minority Scholarship $5000 - The purpose of this scholarship is to facilitate and encourage women and minorities to enter the practice of IP law in Texas by assisting these students with their financial needs. Submission deadline is May 12, 2014.
  • Davis Levin Livingston Award $3000 - Awarded to a student who intends to practice public interest law.  Submission deadline is July 1,2014.
  • Spouses of Houston Barristers up to $10,000- To provide financial assistance to 2L & 3L ethnic minority law students attending South Texas College of Law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, and The University of Houston Law Center. Submission deadline is July 11, 2014.
  • Console & Hollawell Legal Leaders Scholarship $1000 - Applicant must be full time, a US citizen, must demonstrate admission and plans to enroll, or proof of current enrollment in an accredited institution of higher education. Submission deadline is July 15, 2014.
  • Future Leaders Scholarship $2000 - Awarded to students who are working towards a Juris Doctorate Degree and who have an interest in personal injury law. Submission deadline is July 15, 2014.
  • Borowitz and Clark Law School Scholarship $2500 - Awarded to a law student who plans to practice in the fields of bankruptcy or consumer law. Submission deadline is November 15, 2014.

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