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: February 10,2020.

The 2020 Dean’s Awards Ceremony will be held Wednesday, April 21, 2020.

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:

• American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship 
• UH Alumni Association Scholarships
• University of Houston Foundation
• The National Data Base of Scholarships
• College Board
• The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
• Sallie Mae's Graduate School Scholarship Search
• Students Scholarship Search
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Fastweb
• Chegg Scholarship Search

 

Fellowships/Internships - All scholarship criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

• Thompson Knight Diversity Fellowship Program $20K - Paid 1L Summer Associate position in one of our domestic offices. Deadline: January 6, 2020.

Law Center Scholarships

Outside Scholarships (JD & LLM) - All scholarship criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

• Bridging the Dream Scholarship $5000 - Share with us your unique path to graduate school and the dreams you hope to accomplish with your degree. Creativity counts! Deadline: February 14, 2020.
• Medical Malpractice Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: A) What does the future of medical malpractice law look like in the U.S.? B) Why are you interested in pursuing a career in Medical Malpractice Law? February 15, 2020.
• National Bar Association (NBA) Corporate Law Section: Gateway to Success Scholarship Award $? - Awarded to deserving African American based on their economic need, involvement in the community and diversity related student organizations, leadership abilities and academic achievement. Deadline: February 20, 2020.
• Houston Bar Association Real Estate Law Section Scholarship $3000 - Awarded to a 2L or 3L student that demonstrated interest in real estate law. Deadline: February 28, 2020.
• Hispanic National Bar Association VIA Intellectual Property Law Institute $? - A rising 2L or rising 3L that demonstrates an interest in intellectual property law as a potential practice area & must be in good standing. Deadline: March 9, 2020.
• National Scholarship for Students with Disabilities $2000 - Essay topic: The Americans with Disability Act was set into law to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities into everyday activities of society, is it working? Deadline: March 31, 2020.
• Black Law Student Association Alumni Scholarship $1500 - The Personal, Academic Profile, and Financial Profile attached, Authorization to release grades and contact information, attached, A one-page description of your need for this scholarship and how you will help others with your legal training, Describe any community activities and/ organizations and the nature of your involvement, Attach your resume. Deadline: March 29, 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.
• Aviation Law Section of the State Bar of Texas Scholarship $1000 - Submit a brief of 500 words or less covering an aviation case opinion that was decided in 2019 or 2020. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

• Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Charitable Fund $5000 - The selection is based on scholastic achievement, need, and community involvement. It is open to any 2Lwho is a Texas resident. There will a winner at each of the 3 law schools in Houston. Deadline: April 1, 2020.
• Howard Fox Memorial Scholarship $3000 - Must be a graduate of a Berks County, Pennsylvania, high school and who will be entering an accredited law school to pursue a law degree, or who are already attending an accredited law school to pursue a law degree, and who demonstrate financial need. Deadline: April 1, 2020.
• Amarillo Area Bar Foundation Scholarship $2500 - Applicants must have been born in, raised in, or currently reside in one of the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and must be currently enrolled in or accepted for admittance to a law school. Deadline: April 1, 2020.
• State Bar of Texas Tax Scholarship for Law Students $2,000 - Must demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to the study and practice of tax law.  Any student who is enrolled in an ABA accredited law school at the time the application is submitted, and who intends to practice tax law in Texas, is eligible to apply. Deadline: April 4, 2020.
• Infographic Scholarship $ 1500- Using data from government, private agencies or non-profits, create an info-graphic that tells your story. Choose a topic of your choice related to 'Injuries in America: Examine a dangerous aspect of life and how things have improved since a law change or regulation'. Deadline: May 1, 2020.
• American Association for Justice Mike Eidson Scholarship $5000 - Awarded to a rising 3L (or rising 4L in a night program) female student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a plaintiff lawyer or criminal defense lawyer and a 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. Deadline: May 1, 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
• Civil Justice Scholarship Award $2500 - Topic: The injured plaintiff’s right to be compensated through litigation or mediation. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Law Student Diversity Scholarship  $2500 - Topic: Describe your efforts to encourage greater racial or ethnic diversity within the student body of your school. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Harris Lowry Manton LLP Civil Justice Scholarship $5000 - Essay topic: The importance of the right to a trial by jury. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Cunningham & Mears Academic Scholarship $2500 - Essay topic: Why you chose to study Law. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Gainsberg Law Scholarship Award $2500 - Essay topic: "Why you are interested in the law?" Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Taylor & Ring’s Annual Victim Advocate Scholarship $5000 - Essay topic: "What the civil justice systems means to you?" Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Diversity Scholarship $2000 - Recipient (1L or 2L) is a member of an ethnic or racial minority or demonstrates a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Harris Lowry Manton LLP Scholarship $ 5000 - Topic: The importance of the right to a trial by jury. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Arash Law Scholarship $1000 - Essay topic: Describe which field of law you are interested in pursuing and why, plus what you plan to do with your degree. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Laws101.com Scholarship $ 2500 - Essay topic: Any controversial legal topic that has been trending on the news and defend your stance on the matter from a strictly objective legal perspective. Deadline: June 1, 2020.
• Heart Disease Scholarship $? - You have been diagnosed with heart disease or a congenital heart defect. Essay topic: How has heart disease affected or changed your plans in life? Deadline: June 15, 2020.
• Law School Scholarship for Veterans $1500 - Topic: 1) How did your experience in the military inspire you in your education and career aspirations?  2) How did your military experience prepare you for law school and a career practicing law? Deadline: June 15, 2020.
• Impact on the Community Scholarship $1000 - Demonstrate their strong commitment to helping others and be able to describe personal examples. Deadline: June 30, 2020.
• Curley Law Firm Law School Scholarship $1000 - Essay that answers this prompt: What is business law to you and why is it important in today’s society? Deadline: June 30,2020.
• Levinson Law Group Law School Scholarship $2000 - Essay topic:  Illustrate how you hope to help victims of personal injury and why you chose this area of law. Deadline August 1, 2020.
• Sundari Sriskandarajah Memorial Scholarship $500 - Must possess an interest in social justice, as demonstrated by past and present volunteer, professional, and educational experiences. Deadline: September 30,2020.
• One Lawyer Can Change the World” Scholarship First Place: $10k  |  Second Place: $5k  |  Eight Runners-up: $1k - Must be an incoming 1L student starting in the Fall of 2020 to apply. Submit a 500-word essay or less. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Writing Competitions-All award criteria and selection determinations are set by each individual donor (not the Law Center).

• Constance Baker Motley National Student Writing Competition On a Progressive Vision of the Constitution $3000 - Topic: Papers furthering and promoting a progressive vision of the Constitution, law, and public policy. Student must be a dues-paying member of the American Constitution Society (ACS). Deadline: February 9, 2020.
• American Indian Law Review National Writing Competition $1000 - Topic: Any legal issue specifically concerning American Indians or other indigenous peoples. Deadline: February 28, 2020.
• The State Bar of Texas Women and the Law Section Writing Competition $1000 - Topic: Identify and analyze a legal challenge for women in Texas and/or in the United States, based on recent news reports. Imagine that you have been invited to publish an op-ed in a newspaper read by the general public. Deadline: February 28, 2020.
• LSAC Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Writing Competition $5000 - Topic: Why a diverse and inclusive Bar is essential for equality, justice, and the rule of law. Deadline: March 31, 2020.
• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Writing Competition $3000 - Topic: Must be relevant, engaging and useful to labor and employment lawyers in their practice. Deadline: June 15,2020.

 

 

 

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