Columbus School of Law

Financial Aid >Types of Aid >Scholarships

Univ. Scholarships | Summer Stipends | Outside Scholarships

- Scholarships -

I. University Funded Scholarships

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CUA provides scholarships and grants in two categories:

(1) Scholarships to incoming students based on LSAT scores and GPA's

(2) Scholarships to continuing students based on class rankings

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, typically ranging from $2500 to approximately $20,000.

These scholarship awards are reported to the student with an accompanying 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.

_{* Important Note - the following awards were given for the 2005-2006 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."

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II. 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 late February with a deadline date of late March.

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III. Outside Scholarships

From time to time our office will receive notifications about scholarship opportunities from private organizations. Any information regarding scholarship opportunities will be listed in CUA's weekly newsletter, 'Headnotes'. A complete list is available online at our Outside Scholarship Information page. Applications are available in our office upon request. Please do not limit your search to our list. We strongly encourage you to do a broader search online.

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