Scholarships
Scholarships
There are a number of supplemental scholarships available to help USF students pay for their legal education. These financial aid options are provided by a number of sources, including the law school itself, the University of San Francisco, the U.S. government, and private organizations and agencies.
Merit Scholarships
The USF School of Law awards merit scholarships to selected students entering their first year of study based on their pre-law school academic achievement and demonstrated potential for success in legal studies. All applicants are considered for merit scholarships, which are granted after a review of the application materials. No additional financial aid or other forms are required. Successful applicants are notified of any scholarship award with their offer of admission. Merit based scholarship awards for new first year students are funded in part by the donors listed below.
Conditional Scholarship
USF does offer a limited number of renewable scholarships to new first year entering students. Information regarding the retention of these scholarships is posted on the ABA Standard 509 report.
USF Scholarships
Generous donations from alumni help fund USF scholarships. Students must meet specific criteria established by the donors. The recipients are typically selected by an alumni or donor committee. The majority of these scholarship are targeted for continuing law students entering their 2nd or 3rd years of law school (4th year if part time evening).
External Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarships awarded by outside agencies, which have their own applications procedures, criteria, and deadlines.
View all External Scholarships
Funding Limitations Applicable to Scholarships and Grants
The School of Law provides merit-based scholarships to entering students with exceptional academic records and to those completing their first year at the top of their class. Some funds offered to incoming first year applicants are based on a combination of merit and other factors. The amount of the award and GPA conditions for any renewable scholarship is specified in the recipients' admission letter. Eligible continuing students receive a letter after all first year spring grades are posted.
Scholarship renewal is based on cumulative grade point averages computed at the end of each spring semester. Scholarship recipients must also be enrolled in no less than the minimum number of units required for their specific division each term. Please be aware that any change of division will result in a change in the scholarship award. Recipients of renewable scholarships are expected to complete their law degree within the period prescribed for their respective division (Full Time-3 years; Part Time-up to 4 years). Grade requirements for renewable scholarships are determined by the recipient’s spring semester cumulative grade point average. To retain scholarship eligibility, renewable scholarship recipients must meet grade criteria each spring semester.Scholarship awards are designated for the fall and spring semesters only and are not applicable towards any summer session enrollment.
USF School of Law scholarships/grants are awarded to cover law school tuition only. Entrance into a dual program (JD-MBA, JD-MoPA, or JD-MUA) alters the distribution of renewable law scholarships. The first year of study in a dual degree program is not funded with law school aid (typically, all units are non-law). The remaining year(s) of study which include law classes, may qualify for funding within the limits and conditions of the scholarship award. Academic eligibility is measured by law school grades only. Crossover classes from non-law programs are recorded but not calculated into the law school grade point averages.
The total amount in scholarships/grants (e.g., university, law school, outside agency, or any combination of the three) cannot exceed the tuition charges. If a law student is awarded scholarship aid from a private agency, the total amount of combined aid cannot exceed their tuition charges unless the private agency specifically states that its scholarship funds can be used for living expenses.