The Catholic University of America

 

 
 
University Funded Scholarships

Incoming Students: The admissions committee offers scholarships to new students based on LSAT scores and undergraduate or graduate school GPA's, along with other information contained in an applicant's admissions file. Scholarships are awarded at various levels, ranging from $2500 to approximately $20,000.
 
Scholarship awards are reported to the student with a letter stating the criteria for renewing the scholarship for subsequent years - typically finishing in the top 25% of the class.

Continuing Students: After the first year, students receive Law School Merit Awards based on class rank. Ranks are determined in June, and are based on the student's cumulative grade point average. For students who did not receive a scholarship the first year, the second year scholarship is determined by class rank
according to the grid shown below.
 
 
Day Division
Evening Division
Top 5%
$15,000
$12,000
Top 6% -10%
$12,500
$10,000
Top 11%-15%
$10,000
$8,000
Top 16%-25%
$8,500
$6,500
 
* The previous awards were given for the 2009-2010 academic year. Awards for subsequent years are subject to available funding.
 
Please Note:
 
- Students who receive a scholarship for the first year will be offered a scholarship in their second year determined by their respective rank as noted above, or the amount received for the first year, whichever is greater, provided the renewal criteria is met.
 
- Students awarded a scholarship in year one, who fail to meet awarding criteria for year two, may receive the original scholarship in year three (and four for evening students) if the original requirements are met.
 
- Students who change programs from Day to Evening and vice-versa will receive the scholarship award applicable to a comparable GPA for the program into which they have transferred.
 
- Students who have been awarded a scholarship and take a leave of absence for the second semester will receive a scholarship upon return to CUA in an amount representing the un-awarded portion of the scholarship for the first semester after returning. All subsequent awards will be made as if the student had remained enrolled without leave and based on the GPA/ranking with the appropriate class as assigned by the Registrar.
 
- Transfer students are not ranked and are not eligible for scholarships.
 
- CUA funded scholarship are not available to students during semesters when the student is visiting away.
 
 
 
Summer Stipends 
 
SPIL Stipend (Including the Weissman Memorial Scholarship)
This scholarship fund was set up to encourage students to pursue legal careers serving the public. Summer stipends are offered for off-campus government employment, employment in Public Interest Law positions, or with non-profit organizations. Deadline date is usually early to mid April. For more information please review the application available in the financial aid office.
 
Charles and Louise O'Brien Fellowship
The Fellowship was established by the Reverend Raymond C. O'Brien, a professor at the law school, in honor of his grandparents. Students completing the first or the second year of law school are eligible to apply for summer grants in conjunction with their work at a pro bono assignment during the summer. The Fellows are chosen from essays submitted by eligible students describing their summer placement in the context of the interaction between their religious perspective and their legal careers. At present, each student chosen has received a grant of $6,000.
 
Applications are available in February and are due in March.
 
 
 

Outside Scholarships
 
This information is provided as a service to students. Please contact the sponsor directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information. These opportunities are also posted in CUA's weekly newsletter, 'Headnotes'. 
 
Please do not limit your search to our list; several scholarship search enginges are listed following the Scholarship List.
 
Tips on completing scholarship applications can be found here.
 
Feb.15 [$1,500] - USA Funds Access to Education Scholarships
USAFunds will award $1,500 scholarships to students with economic need.  Full-time professional students are eligible for the scholarships.  Also, 50 percent of the scholarships will be made to students who are members of an ethnic minority group or are physically disabled.  Applications may be completed online at www.usafunds.org/planning/access_to_education_scholarship/index.htm
 
Feb. 15 [$1,000] - Vietnamese American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area
The Vietnamese American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area awards two $1,000 scholarships to law students in the Greater Washington, D.C. area who demonstrate a commitment to serving the Vietnamese American community.  The recipients will be honored at the second annual Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, March 18, 2010.
 
March 1 [$12,000] - Finnegan Henderson Diversity Scholarship
Every year Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett, & Dunner, LLP awards a $12,000 scholarship to a qualified student who has completed their first year as a full-time student or their second year as a part-time student. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.Finnegan.com.
 
March 1 [$5,000] - The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship is intended to encourage racial and ethnic diversity by assisting recipients financially. The scholarship will award $5,000 to first-year students and may be renewable for two additional years. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.abanet.org.
 
March 1 [not specified] - The Bradenburg United Methodist Scholarship
The General Board of Higher Education Ministry offers a scholarship to students 35 years of age or older, desiring to continue their education or to go into a second career. Applicants must be active members of The United Methodist Church for at least one year and be full-time at an accredited institution within the United States. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.gbhem.org.
 
March 19 [$15,000] - Rhode Island Bar Foundation Thomas F. Black, Jr Memorial Scholarship
A one year non-renewable award for full-time students who are Rhode Island residents who will be entering their first year of law school in September, 2010.  The foundation awards 2 $15,000 awards every year.
 
April 1 [up to $3,000] - Howard Fox Memorial Law Scholarship
In memory of Howard Fox, a proud member of the Berks County Bar Association and a young attorney in the Public Defender's Office, this scholarship fund was established by his parents, Helen and Richard Fox, and friends. Managed by the Berks County Community Foundation, it offers a $3,000 scholarship to a deserving Berks County residents entering their second year at an accredited law school, who demonstrate financial need, without discrimination to color, race, national origin or religion. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.bccf.org.
 
April 1 [up to $5,000] - HANA United Methodist Scholarship
The General Board of Higher Education Ministry offers a scholarship to upperlevel undergraduate, or graduate students with plans to prepare for leadership in The United Methodist Church and in their HANA communities. Applicants must be active members of The United Methodist Church for at least three (3) years, have a minimum GPA of 2.85, and born of Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or Pacific Island parentage (at least one parent). For more information, please visit their webiste at www.gbhem.org.
 
A personal injury law firm awards of scholarship of $2,000 to a law student who contributes to the diversity of the law school student body as they pursue their legal career. The scholarship is open to students currently in their first or second year of law school and the recipient must be a member of an ethnic or racial minority or demonstrate a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career. The recipient must also be a Michigan resident or attending an accredited Michigan law school. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.michiganautolaw.com.
 
April 1 [not specified] - NASALSA Public Interest Law Summer Fellowship
The North American South Asian Law Students Association (NASALSA) and the North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) Foundation are offering a Public Interest Summer Fellowship. Law Students engaged in unpaid summer public interest work in North America at reputable summer internship of at least ten weeks that relates to the South Asian American community are eligible to apply. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.nsalsa.org.
 
April 16 [$250-$1,000] - Attorney-CPA Foundation Scholarship
The America Association of Attorney-CPA (AAA_CPA) is offering scholarships varying from $250-$1,000 to qualified students graduating in the next academic year. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.Attorney-CPA.com.
 
April 16 [$7,500] - The Robert Shuker Scholarship Fund
Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey, LLP is offering two scholarships of $7,000 in honor of the late Judge Robert A. Shuker, Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Applicants must be a full-time student and a legal resident of the DC Greater Metro Area. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.ShukerScholarship.com.
 
April 20 [$1,000-$1,500] - The Waterbury Bar Association Scholarships
The Waterbury Bar Association is offering three (3) scholarships varying from $1,000-$1,500. Applicants must be a continuing law student and legal residents of the Waterbury Judicial District. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.WaterburyBar.org.
 
April 21 [$1,500] - The Ruth Rabstein Scholarships
The Women Lawyer's Caucus of Mercer County is awarding a $1,500 scholarship to a woman with ties to Mercer County, NJ. Applicant must be a current or prospective law student. Further details and the application form are available in the Financial Aid Office (Room 314).
 
April 27 [$10,000] - DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarship
DRI awards two $10,000 scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, service to the profession, and service to the community.  The scholarship is open to second and third year African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pan-Asian and Native American students.  Incoming second and third year female students are also eligible regardless of race or ethnicity.  Students who are members of the0 Amercian Association for Justice (AAJ) are not eligible.
 

May 1 [$3,000] - Otis M. Smith Scholarship
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan offers a scholarship to working single mothers who pursue higher education. Applicants must be single mothers who are residents of Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties and attend or will attend Wayne State University, any campus of the University of Michigan or Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C. Priority is given to full-time students, but part-time (at least half-time) students may also be considered. The program awards up to four nonrenewable scholarships of $3,000. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.cfsem.org.

 
May 2 [not specified] - GWAC Foundation Bar Review Course
The Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association will award graduating women law students a scholarship intended to assist the awardees with the cost of the bar review course. Selection is based on financial need and demonstrated community service. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.gwacbar.org/.
 
May 15 [not specified] - General United Methodist Scholarship
The General Board of Higher Education Ministry offers a scholarship to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students. Applicants must be active members of The United Methodist Church for at least one year, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and are attending any accredited institution within the United States. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.gbhem.org.
 
The Nation Institute offers a $1,000 honorarium to first year students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer (in between their first and second year) in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties.  Proposed activities may include a writing or research project, work with a pubic interest organization in the areas of civil rights or civil liberties, work on a civil rights or civil liberties law case under the supervision of a faculty member or lawyer, or any other work in areas of civil liberties.  
 
May 30 [$1,000-$3,500] - Montgomery County Women's Bar Foundation, inc. Scholarship Fund
The Montgomery Co. Women's Bar Foundation Inc. is offering various scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,500 to qualified individuals to assist in their law school education. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office (Room 314)
 
May 31 [$5,000] - Mike Eidson Scholarship
The AAJ Women for Justice Education for und awards $5,000 annually to a female student entering her third year of law school (the student can be enrolled in a three year day or four year night program) who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a trial 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.
 

June 1 [$10,000] - Alfred Pollack & Sheehan Diversity Scholarship
Adler Pollock & Sheehan offera $10,000 to a minority student entering his or her first year of law school.  The purpose of the scholarship is encourage and assist a needy minority student, who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to the community, to attend law school and successfully enter the practice of law.  For more information and an appication, please visit their website at www.apslaw.com.

June 1 [$5,000] - Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship
The Alabama Law Foundation is offering a $5,000 scholarship towards the second year of law school. Applicants must be a legal resident of Alabama. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.alfinc.org.
 
June 1 [$5,000] - American Inns of Court Warren E. Burger Prize
The Warren E. Burger prize is a writing competition designed to encourage outstanding scholarship that "promotes the ideals of excellence, civility, ethics and professionalism within the legal profession."  The author of the winning essay will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and the essay will be published in the South Carolina Law Review.
 
June 1 [$10,000] - Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) is offering a $10,000 scholarship to newly entering first year law students. The Scholarship Program will provide 10 scholarships at $10,000/year for up to three years and several runner-ups with a one-time $10,000 gift. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.uncf.org or www.mcca.org
 
June 1 [not specified] - Accenture American Indian College Fund
The Accenture LLP and the American Indian Graduate Center is offering scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.aigc.com.
 
June 2 [$10,000] - Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship
As part of the Firm's on going efforts to increase diversity, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, and Berkowitz, P.C. is pleased offer three scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each to diverse law students who have excelled academically and who plan to contribute to the diversity objectives of Baker Donelson. Recipients will also be awarded a salaried 2L Summer Associate position in one of their officees. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.bakerdonelson.com.
 
June 30 [not specified] - ECBA Scholarship
The Erie County Bar Association is offering a scholarship ranging from $500-$2,000. Applicant must be a law student entering their 2nd or 3rd year and a resident of Erie County, PA. For more information, please visit their webiste at www.ErieBar.com. 
 
June 30 [$5,000] - Just the Beginning Foundation Scholarship
Just the Beginning Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting students of color and other underrepresented groups by providing free educational and mentoring programs to increase the diversity in the judiciary and legal profession.  They are offering a scholarship to advance full and equal participation of law students from minority and economically disadvantaged communities.  For more information, please visit their website at www.jtbf.org.
 
August 13 [up to $10,000] - The Frederick B. Abramson Public Interest Fellowship Award
In memory of the late Frederick Abramson, the Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation offers a fellowship for up to $10,000 awarded to one or more graduating law students, judicial law clerks, or practicing attorneys wishing to work in public interest law.  The recipients must exemplify Fred Abramson's commitment to the use of law to advance the community and public interest by committing to at least one year's employment beginning in September with a not-for-profit organization in teh District of Columbia.  For more information, pleae visit their website at www.abramsonfoundation.org.
 
Sept 7 [$2,500 - $7,500] - Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarship
Through the support of Anheuser-Busch, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association offers scholarships to law students who demonstrate particularly outstanding leadership potential to serve teh Asian Pacific American community.  For more information, please visit their webiste at www.napaba.org.

 
Sept 15 [$2,000] -  J. L. Turner Legal Association Minority Scholarship
J.L. Turner Legal Assoication awards several scholarships of at least $2,000 to minority law students who have a connection to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and to expose students to the Dallas Fort-Worth legal community.  To qualify a student must be a United States citizen, have a connection to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, be enrolled at an accredited United States law school, and be in good academic standing.  For more information, please visit their website at www.jltla.org.
 
Sept 30 [unknown] - Marie Trahan/Susman Godfrey Scholarship
In loving memory of Marie Trahan, who was an administrative assistant for over 30 years with Susman Godfrey, LLP, and sponsored by J.L. Turner Legal Association ("JLTLA"), this scholarship provides financial assistance to an African-American resident of the State of Texas attending any accredited law school in the country.  to be eligible to receive a JLTLA scholarship, an applicant must: (1) be a United States citizen; (2) be a resident of the State of Texas; (3) be enrolled at an accredited law school; and (4) be in good academic standing (proof of academic standing is required).  For more information, please visit their website at www.jltla.org.
 
Oct 1 [$15,000] - LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell (LNMH) Client Review Fellowship
Through the support of LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) offers a scholarship to a student in their final year as they approach graduation and entry into the legal profession.  Fellows will embody a commitment to academic excellence, leadership, community service, and diversity in the legal profession.  For more information, please visit their website at www.mcca.com.
 
Nov 3 [up to $12,000/yr] - The D.C. Bar Foundation
The D.C. Bar Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization that supports legal service providers in the District of Columbia.  They are offering a loan repayment assistance program to help D.C. poverty lawyers repay educational debt, especially those working for eligible non-profit organizations.  The LRAP is designed to pay up to $1,000 per participant per month, for eligible loans, up to a lifetime cap of $60,000.  The actual amount you would receive depends upon (a) your monthly debt service, (b) the purpose of the loans, (c) whether you qualify for DC LRAP or Foundation LRAP or both, (d) the total amount available under the relevant funding stream each year, (e) the total number of eligible participants, and (f) the discretion of the LRAP Award Committee based on the information before it at the time decisions are made.  For more information, please visit their website at www.DCBarFoundation.org.
 
Nov 20 [$6,000] - Minority Fellowship in Environmental Law
The New York State Bar Association Environmental Law Section and the New York City Bar Association Committee on Environmental Law will award a $6,000 stipend in the summer of 2010 to a first-year, second-year, or third-year (night students only) minority group member who is either enrolled in a law school in New York state, or is a permanent resident of New York state enrolled in a law school in the United States, and is working for a government environmental agency or public interest environmental organization in New York state.
Different Due Dates [$30,000] - Organization of American States
The Organization of American States offers up to $30,000 to persons to undertake undergraduate or graduate studies Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree) and/or graduate research that lead to a degree at a university or higher learning institution in an OAS Member State, with the exception of his/her own sponsoring country. Studies must be carried out on a full-time basis, and may be pursued by on-site or by distance education or a combination of both.  For further information visit their website at www.educoas.org.
 
Different Due Dates [$01000] - Van Ness Feldman Diversity Scholarship
The purpose of the Van Ness Feldman Diversity Scholarship is to encourage law students from minority populations, historically under-represented in the legal profession, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue legal careers in energy, by providing financial assistance to eligible students meeting the scholarship criteria.  Van Ness Feldman sponsors one $1,000 scholarship for a law student at each of the local law schools where Van Ness Feldman has an office.  Scholarship candidates must have successfully completed the first year of law school, and be enrolled in classes for the second year of law school.  For further information visit their website at www.vnf.com
 
 
Another way to find scholarships is to utilize Scholarship Search Engines. Listed below are two resources to help you get started.


  • www.FastWeb.com - A free searchable directory of scholarships, grants, awards and loans sponsored by Monster.com.
 
 

Note: Most scholarship search engines require a detailed registration form in order for the site's software to determine which scholarships the student should apply for. Be aware of who you give your information to. Some companies collect your personal information to be either sold to lenders or used by lenders who operate the service.