Scholarships

A Legal Education Within Reach

The University of St. Thomas School of Law administers a scholarship program for students with outstanding academic records or who are particularly likely to contribute to the school’s mission. Plus, your scholarship award will stick with you for every year of law school.

St. Thomas Law does not designate a specific number of scholarships to be awarded in an academic year, but instead awards scholarships from a broad pool of scholarship monies. In awarding scholarships to students, our goal is to attract and reward students who may bring a strong academic background, a unique viewpoint or a dynamic experiential voice. It is also our goal to attract students who bring ethnic and cultural diversity to our law school community.

No Separate Application Required

There is no separate application for scholarships other than the law school admissions application. Applicants may be invited to participate in an optional interview prior to the scholarship decision.

The criteria to receive a scholarship is the same as what is used for admitting a student to the School of Law. Applications are reviewed on a whole-file basis with attention paid to those students who display broad strength in a combination of LSAT, undergraduate GPA and mission fit.

Reduced enrollment students are considered for scholarship aid. Scholarships would cover a percentage of tuition for the total credits needed (88 credits) so long as the student continues to make progress toward a degree.

J.D. Scholarships

The President’s Scholarship is awarded on behalf of the president of the University of St. Thomas. President’s Scholars typically reflect strength in their academic performance and demonstrate a compelling fit with the mission of the School of Law. President’s Scholars receive a full-tuition scholarship.

The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded on behalf of the Dean of the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Dean’s Scholars typically reflect strength in their academic performance and demonstrate a compelling fit with the mission of the law school. Dean’s Scholars receive a partial-tuition scholarship that can range up to 90% of tuition annually.

The Access to Justice Scholars program is a scholarship program for individuals who have an interest in and commitment to pursuing legal practice in a small-town or rural setting. Through the program, St. Thomas Law works with the Minnesota State Bar Association to match Access to Justice scholars with a mentor experienced in small-town or rural practice.

All academically qualified applicants are invited to submit an essay explaining their interest in, and commitment to, pursuing legal practice in a small-town or rural setting. The essay should be submitted with the application for admission. Applicants will be invited to an interview with the faculty admissions committee. Awardees are granted up to a 90% tuition discount each year of the J.D. program.

Scholarship Awards

All scholarships apply to St. Thomas Law tuition at the awarded percentage in all periods of enrollment (i.e. Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer, Budapest program); up to 89 credits, or, in cases of joint or dual degrees, the maximum needed for the degree program. Students retain the scholarship provided they remain continuously enrolled or on approved leave of absence. This means our scholarships are not conditional scholarships as defined in ABA Standard 509, Interpretation 509-4. For more information on the St. Thomas Law Scholarship policy, refer to Section II-6 of the Policy Manual‌.

ABA Disclosures

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

See below for additional scholarship opportunities.