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

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. 

Scholarship Retention Rates

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. Submission deadline for 2014 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.

  • Association of Women Attorneys (AWA) Foundation Scholarship $2500 - $3500 - Awarded to deserving 2L & 3L female law students in Houston, Texas. Criteria: Academic achievement, leadership and philanthropic potential, and a strong commitment to the profession, and/or the ability to overcome obstacles. Submission deadline has been extended to February 15, 2014.
  • International Education Fee Scholarship $500 - Assistance is provided to UH students to participate in a study abroad program for Summer 2014 &/or fall 2014. Deadline is March 1, 2014.
  • Winstead Juris Doctor Scholarship $20,000 - Awarded to an ethnically diverse 1L student at UH Law Center. Submission deadline is March 1, 2014.
  • National Council of Jewish Women $1500 - Applicants must be majoring in Education, Health, Social Welfare, or Jewish Studies, and have permanent residence in the Greater Houston area.   Submission deadline is March 10, 2014.
  • American Intellectual Property Law Education: Sidney B. Williams, Jr. $10,000 - The goal of these scholarships is to increase the number of under-represented minority groups serving as intellectual property law practitioners in law firms and the intellectual property law departments in corporations. Submission deadline is March 14, 2014.
  • HBAA Charitable Fund Application $? - Selection is based on scholastic ability, financial need and community involvement to a 2L student at each of the 3 Houston Law Schools. Submission deadline is March 21, 2014.
  • Law Student Diversity Scholarship $10,000 - All 2L or 3L African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students or female law students are eligible are eligible to apply, regardless of race or ethnicity. Any other 2L or 3L law students who also come from backgrounds that would add to the cause of diversity, regardless of race or gender are eligible to apply. Submission deadline is March 31, 2014.
  • Howard Fox Memorial Law Scholarship $3000 - Applicant must be a high school graduate of Berks County, PA, who is entering their 2L year, who demonstrate financial need, without discrimination to color, race, national origin or religion. Submission deadline is April 1, 2104.
  • 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.
  • 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. Submission deadline is May 1, 2014.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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