Scholarships

If qualified, admitted applicants to our law program will be automatically considered for merit based scholarships.  There is no form required in order to be considered for scholarship. Currently 59% of the overall student body receives scholarship and specifically, 73% of the 2012 entering class receive scholarship.  71% of all admitted candidates during the 2011-2012 application cycle received a scholarship offer.

Scholarship Information and Overview

Total Scholarships awarded for 2011-12 = $3,142,300
Scholarships awarded to class entering 2012 = $1,695,819

Average scholarship = $19,000 for full-time; $13,000 for reduced schedule
Average GPA after the first year = 2.77
Median GPA after first year = 2.77
Percentage of 1Ls who retain scholarship:  58-62% based upon 2009-2011 entering classes
Percentage of upper class students retaining scholarships = 100%
Percentage of new scholarship awarded to students not previously receiving scholarship = 10%

The faculty has adopted the following suggested grading curve for first year courses:
A, A-, B+, B = 30-40%
B-, C+ = 20-35%
C, C-, D+, D, D-, F = 25-40%

The suggested distribution is not mandatory, but rather a guideline to aid faculty members in implementing this College’s grading system. The suggested grading distribution will apply to all first year courses. Where the suggested distribution is applicable as a guideline, it is expected that the median or mid-point grade will be a B-.

Scholarship renewal:  Required GPA for scholarship renewal = 2.80

Scholarship increases:   After the first year, we occasionally increase a scholarship for overwhelming academic merit, service to the College of Law, and demonstrated need.  These increases are made on a case by case basis.  In addition, students who serve as editors on our journals or who serve on the executive council for our Board of Advocates are eligible for additional scholarship stipends for their service to these organizations.

Scholarship Guidelines

GPA Requirements
Merit Based:

Renew Prior Scholarship

2.80 - 4.00 - Renew Original Amount 

*as budget allows, discretion to increase based on need, service, and other merit based factors*

Need Based: 

2.00 and up - Renew need based prior amount

Law Journals and BOA: 

2.50 and up - Anything less can only be granted by the Dean

No Prior Scholarship Award: 

TOP 15%: Scholarship award to be determined based on comparable scholarship equity, service, and need based factors.