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 54% of the overall student body receives scholarship and specifically, 56% of the 2011 entering class received scholarship.  61% of all admitted candidates during the 2010-2011 application cycle received a scholarship offer.

Scholarship Information and Overview

Total Scholarships awarded for 2011-12 = $3,300,000
Scholarships awarded to class entering fall 2011 = $1,136,410
Average scholarship = $19,000 for full-time; $13,000 for reduced schedule
Average GPA after the first year = 2.75
Median GPA after first year = 2.839
Average percentage of 1Ls who retain scholarship = 68%
Average percentage of upper class students retaining scholarships = 100%
Average 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 full scholarship renewal = 2.90

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.

Scholarships for students between a 2.80 and 2.90:  The College of Law is a private institution and maintains discretion to evaluate each student scholarship application on a case by case basis.  There are often extenuating circumstances that cause a student to underperform, so all factors are taken into consideration when reviewed.  Students whose overall performance is a 2.90 or above, or very close to the required 2.90, will have their scholarships renewed in full.  If a student is between 2.80-2.89 after the first two semesters of study, a student’s scholarship will be renewed in full on scholarship probationary status for year; if a 2.9 is not achieved at the conclusion of the next spring semester, the scholarship is forfeited.

Scholarship Guidelines

GPA Requirements
Merit Based:

Renew Prior Scholarship
2.90 - 4.00 - Renew Original Amount 
2.80 - 2.89 - If at the conclusion of the first two semesters of study (the first year), a scholarship recipient has a cumulative grade point average between a 2.80 and 2.89, the scholarship will be renewed in full for a one year probationary period; if a 2.90 is not achieved at the conclusion of spring 2014, the scholarship is forfeited.

 *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.