Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships & Grants For Entering Students

The following scholarships are awarded to entering law students in recognition of their outstanding academic and non-academic achievements, and to assist with the first year students' law school expenses. The scholarships are awarded on a one-time only basis, unless specified otherwise. It is possible to receive more than one scholarship award.

Advocate for Justice Scholarships

Beginning in the Fall of 2008, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC-DCSL) will offer up to 20 three-year full-tuition Advocate for Justice Scholarships for entering students. The award of these scholarships will be based equally upon the Scholarship Selection Committee’s evaluation of applicants’ academic talent and their proven commitment as advocates for justice.

See Advocate for Justice Scholarships for more information and application instructions.

Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Scholarship

In the Fall of 2008, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC-DCSL) Hon. William C. Pryor Chapter of the Black Law Students Association will offer a one-year full tuition scholarship to a member of the entering class. Applicants should be residents of the District of Columbia and have received their undergraduate degrees from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant's extra-curricular activities, social activism, quality of references, and other experiences that may contribute to the law school community. The application deadline is April 30, 2008.

Download the BLSA Scholarship Application (.pdf).

The Mason Civil Rights Scholars

Long-time political and social activists Charles and Hilda Mason were heavily involved in the Civil Rights era of the 1960's and 70's. Most of these scholarships are named to honor prominent civil rights activists Mr. and Ms. Mason knew and admired. They are awarded to entering students who have demonstrated characteristics such as contribution and service to the community; overcoming adversity or obstacles; public service career goals; a broad range of life experience; or an outstanding undergraduate and/or graduate academic record. Mason Scholarship awards range from $500 to $8,000+.

Fannie Lou Hamer Scholarship
Julius Hobson Scholarship
Rosa Parks Scholarship
James Farmer Scholarship
Nestor-Gonzalez Scholarship
Ella Baker Scholarship
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joel Franklin & Martha Ann Minis Scholarship
James Chaney Scholarship
Rev. James Reeb Scholarship
Andrew Goodman Scholarship
Michael Schwerner Scholarship
Jean Camper & Edgar S. Cahn Scholarship
Isabelle Howland Scholarship

Legal Scholar Awards

Legal scholar awards are granted to entering students who have distinguished themselves academically, and whose admission application essays, references, goals, and activities are exceptional. The recipients of these awards must exemplify through their admission application the potential to be a legal scholar or an attorney who will use the law as a tool for social justice in the public interest. The Legal Scholar awards are:

Hilda H.M. Mason Legal Scholar Award - full Washington, DC resident tuition scholarship
Charles N. Mason Legal Scholar Award - full Washington, DC resident tuition scholarship
Thurgood Marshall Legal Scholar Award -1/2 Washington, DC resident tuition scholarship
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 non-DC resident tuition scholarship
Elaine Jones Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 non-DC resident tuition scholarship
William L. Robinson Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 non-DC resident tuition scholarship
Frederick B. Abramson Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 Washington, DC resident tuition
Justice Harry A. Blackmun Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 Washington, DC resident tuition
Justice William J. Brennan Legal Scholar Award - 1/2 Washington, DC resident tuition
Walter Washington Scholarship - full or partial tuition scholarship for a Washington, DC resident

Other Merit Scholarships

Raymond F. Hossfeld Endowed Scholarship - full tuition for a Washington, DC resident
Bristle Cone Pine Foundation Activist Scholarships - full tuition for a Washington, DC resident
Beech Street Foundation Scholarship - full tuition for a Washington, DC resident
Joseph L. Rauh Scholarships - full DC resident tuition scholarship for an outstanding entering student, the 2nd year student who completed the best Community Service project in his/her first year, and the 3rd year student with most outstanding performance in his/her Legal Clinic.

No application is required for the Mason Civil Rights Scholarships, the Legal Scholar Awards or the "Other Merit Scholarships" listed above. The awards are made based on the information in the application for admission.

Contribution Potential Grants

(award range $1,000-$9000)

Contribution Potential Grants are awarded to students based on both merit & financial need. Students should demonstrate potential in the area of public interest law and financial need. Students who wish to be considered for these grants must complete the on-line Need Access Scholarship application from Access Group.

Scholarships and Grants for Continuing Students

Dean's Fellowships are awarded to students who achieve a law school GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first year of law school. Dean's Fellows receive a $2,000 tuition stipend in their second year of Law School.

Merit Scholarships are awarded to some outstanding continuing students, based on academic excellence, clinical performance, community service. Upper level students must apply yearly for merit scholarships. Continuing student merit scholarship applications are distributed to students with the financial aid application.

Institution Builder Scholarships are half-tuition scholarships awarded to two continuing students for major contributions to school programs. Two recipients per year, selected by the Dean of the School of Law.

Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Joseph L. Rauh Scholarships provide full DC resident tuition for:

the second-year student who completed the best Community Service project in his/her first year.
the third-year student who received the top grade in their second-year clinic.

Bar Scholarships are awarded to graduating law students to be used to help finance bar preparation courses.

Scholarships and Grants for Entering and Continuing Students

Need-Based Scholarships

Need based scholarships are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. Need Based scholarship applicants must complete the on-line Need Access Scholarship application from Access Group.

Other Need-Based Scholarships

Emily Ansell Memorial Book Scholarship ($500): Awarded to a financially needy law student. The scholarship is donated in memory of Emily Ansell, Antioch School of Law Graduate.
David Niblack Scholarship: Awarded to third-year student(s) with demonstrated financial need and commitment to career(s) in criminal/public defense.

You may also want to download a list of Sources of Outside Scholarship Assistance (.pdf).

Financial Aid & Scholarships