Scholarships and Financial Aid

 

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 achievement in a number of areas. Please pay particular attention to the criteria/description stated in each scholarships on this application. Deadline: February 2018 TBA.

The 2017 Dean’s Awards Ceremony was held Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

 

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/Internships

  • Daniel Curtin, Jr. Fellowship $2500 - Sponsored by the Planning & Law Division of the American Planning Association. Eligibility requirements: Citizen of the US & a 1L or 2L student enrolled in a 3 year ABA accredited school program or a 1L, 2L or 3L in a 4 year ABA accredited program. Deadline: September 24, 2017.

Scholarships

  • Wilshire Law Firm Scholarship $1000 - Submit a typed essay describing: a) your professional goals in a legal career, b) how you intend to contribute to the community, and c) why you believe you are deserving of this scholarship. Deadline: September 30, 2017.
  • Hartsoe Law Firm Law School Scholarship $500 - Essay topic: The decline of civility in political discourse in the United States and how you think this problem should be corrected. Preference to individuals that (a) have held various jobs to help support themselves through school (b)overcome personal adversity or (c) are concerned about the the rancorous tenor prevalent in American politics. Deadline: November 1, 2017.
  • Criminal Attorney Scholarship $750 - Essay topic: Why is it important to provide expert legal defense to anyone who is accused of a crime in the United States? Deadline: December 1, 2017.
  • The Reeves Law Group Scholarship $3000 - The scholarship will be 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. Worthy deeds that you have already performed will be considered. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • Altman & Altman Law School Scholarship $2000 - Essay topic: Based on your research, do you support the installation of visible speed enforcement cameras? Why or why not? Preference to individuals that are (a) from the Boston metropolitan area, or (b) received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in the Boston metropolitan area, or (c) are attending a law school in the Boston metropolitan area. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • The Brager Tax Law Group Legal Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Related to tax litigation, or tax controversy. Preference to individuals that are (a) from California, or (b) received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in California, or (c) are attending a law school in California. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • Criminal Defense Student Law School Scholarship $2500 - Essay topic: Focus on the need and affordability of legal services and propose ideas to help meet the demand of these services. Preference to individuals that are (a) from the Boston metropolitan area, or (b) received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in the Boston metropolitan area, or (c) are attending a law school in the Boston metropolitan area. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • Scholarship Essay Contest $2500 - Under Ohio law, monetary awards for pain and suffering are limited, in most cases, to $250,000.00. What is your opinion of this Ohio law? As part of your analysis, you may (but are not required to) consider the following questions: Do you believe the sexual abuse of a child is a “catastrophic injury”? Do you believe $250,000.00 in pain and suffering. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • Price, Hargett, Petho & Anderson Scholarship Essay $1000 - Essay Topic: Need and affordability of legal services and propose ideas to help meet the demand of these services. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • National Tax Law Scholarship $500 - Awarded to a 2L or 3L U.S. law student with a demonstrated interest in tax law. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • National Business Law Scholarship $500 - Awarded to a 2L or 3L U.S. law student with a demonstrated interest in business law. Deadline: December 15, 2017.
  • Tax Law Policy Scholarship $500 - Applicant must demonstrate an interest in tax policy. Deadline: December 31, 2017.
  • Renee Torgenson Memorial Scholarship $1000 - 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, 2017.
  • Percy Martinez Law Scholarship $5000 - Submit a video (3-4 minutes) or short essay (400-600 words) and answers the following question: What strategies would you use in a case where both the defendant and plaintiff are at fault? How would you win your case? (You can pick to defend either). Deadline: December 31, 2017.
  • Aaron Swartz Progressive Change Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Related to law and activism. Deadline: January 6, 2018.

 

Writing Competition

 

 

 

 

 

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