School of Law External Scholarships and Grants-in-Aid

The external scholarships are listed below in reverse chronological order. Scholarships with deadlines that have passed within the past year remain on this site because, oftentimes, the same scholarships are offered year after year and students can use expired listings to determine what scholarships could be available in future years.

AAJ Women for Justice Education Fund's Mike Eidson Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a rising 3L or rising 4L in an evening program (i.e. class of 2013) female student who has demonstrated a commitment to: 1) a career as a plaintiffs' lawyer or criminal defense lawyer, 2) upholding and defending the principles of the Constitution, 3) the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized.  The Scholarship will be awarded at the AAJ Annual Convention, which will take place this July in Chicago.  The application and further details may be found here.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2012

Suffolk County Women's Bar Association Scholarship

The Suffolk County Women's Bar Association will be holding an essay contest open to all
current St. John's Law School students.  The prize is a $500 scholarship award and a one-year membership in the SCWBA for the author of the winning essay.  The winner will also be our guest at the SCWBA's annual installation dinner to be held in June 2012 at which time the scholarship will be presented.  Contest, essay topic, and instructions can be found here.

Application Deadline: April 16, 2012

Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship, established by the law firm Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., will be awarded to a 2L student who excels in legal writing and advocacy.  An essay that displays excellence in legal writing and advocacy skills must be submitted to be considered for this scholarship.  For more details, click here.

Application Deadline: April 2, 2012

Joseph H. Gellert Dutchess County Bar Association Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Dutchess County who is enrolled in an accredited law school as a 2L, 3L, or 4L.  Please find the application, along with further instructions, here.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2012

Michigan Auto Law Diversity Scholarship

This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a 1L or 2L student who is a member of an ethnic or racial minority or who demonstrates a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career.  Applicants must be Michigan residents or attend a Michigan law school.  For application and more information, please visit the Opportunities section on the Michigan Auto Law website.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2012

Brandeis Association of Queens County Scholarships

The Brandeis Association will be awarding two $4,000 scholarships, the Jerome M. Ginsberg Scholarship and the Hon. Moses M. Weinstein Scholarship.  The application criteria for both scholarships are the same.  The Brandeis Association of Queens County provides scholarships to Jewish law students in their 2nd or 3rd years of study who are residents of Queens County or who are attending law school in Queens County.  In awarding the scholarships, consideration will be given to financial need, legal scholarship, and community involvement.  Application may be found here.

Application Deadline: March 26, 2012

Rhode Island Bar Foundation Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Two awards of $20,000 each to 1L law students in the 2012-2013 academic year will be made on the basis of demonstrated financial need, superior academic performance, community and public service, and demonstrated contacts with and commitment to the State of Rhode Island.  Please read this letter containing further information and obtain the appplication form here.

Application Deadline: March 19, 2012

Columbian Lawyers Association Scholarship

Each year the Columbian Lawyers Association, First Judicial Department (”CLA”), confers 4 $2,500 scholarships to needy law students of some Italian heritage presently attending law schools within the City of New York and the Counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester. Consequently, the awards require that the applicant has been admitted and started his/her studies. The award is paid for each year the student attends law school, for a maximum of three years. In order for a scholarship recipient to continue receiving their award after the first year it is awarded, the recipient must confirm in writing to the Chairman on or before March 15th of each year that he/she is still enrolled in law school.  Please fill out the online application and submit by mail (address may be found at the previous link) a letter or essay indicating the source of your Italian heritage; the reason for the need of assistance; and a brief statement as to your accomplishments, goals and/or aspirations. In support of your application indicate any special circumstances which may have a bearing on your application or special need of funds. 

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Bronx County Bar Association Scholarships

Two $3,000 scholarships are available to deserving first- or second-year law students, or third-year law students expecting to graduate in May or June 2012.  Applicants must be enrolled in an ABA-approved law school and have proof of a Bronx County domicile (driver's license, non-driver's ID, utility bill, etc.).  Please find further eligibility guidelines, application, and instructions here.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2012

Bernadine Johnson-Marshall and Martha Bell Williams Scholarship

Bernadine Johnson-Marshall and Martha Bell Williams were the first two African-American women admitted to the bar in New Jersey.  In their honor, the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey will award scholarships to law students who are either: (1) enrolled at an accredited law school in New Jersey or (2) New Jersey permanent residents enrolled at an accredited law school outside of New Jersey.  Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated community service/civic involvement, personal financial need, academic achievement, and a brief writing sample or essay.  The application and more information may be found here, and you must also submit a law school transcript and letter of good academic standing from the Registrar. 

Application Deadline: February 17, 2012

NYC Bar C. Bainbridge Smith Scholarship

A nomination/application form for this scholarship may be found here.  The criteria for this scholarship are as follows: candidates in second- and third-year classes are eligible; candidates must have spent at least a signifiant portion of their lives in NYC and presently be attending a law school within the city; and candidates should be students with character and intelligence and promising aptitude for law who face special economic disadvantages (including lack of funds, or physical or cultural handicaps).  Interested candidates must submit a resume, completed application form, and statement of interest to the Career Development Office by noon on Wednesday, February, 1, 2012.  Applications will be reviewed by the Dean's Office, and selected candidates will be nominated for the scholarship by the Dean's Office.  Please contact Jeanne Ardan in Career Development if you have any questions.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2012

John Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund

The John Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund is administered by the Schenectady County Bar Association. The Fund, established in 1980, was created to provide scholarships for Schenectady County residents. The applicant must reside in Schenectady County and must be a full time candidate for a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law Degree at an accredited New York Law School. Individuals may apply to Hon. Vincent J. Reilly, Jr, State of New York, Supreme Court Chambers, 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. Tel. (518) 285-8422 Fax. (518) 377-5897

Application Deadline:  October 25, 2011

New York Bar Foundation Elder Law Section Scholarship

One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a 2L or 3L student enrolled in a law school in New York state during the 2011-2012 academic year and actively participating in an Elder Law Clinic during the 2011-2012 academic year or performing other substantial efforts which demonstrate interest in the legal rights of the elderly or the practice of elder law.  A preference will be given to a student who demonstrates a present and permanent physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual.  A preference will be given to a student who demonstrates financial need.  Application and scholarship guidelines may be found here.

Application Deadline: October 14, 2011

New York Bar Foundation Real Property Law Section Lorraine Power Tharp Scholarship

This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a second- or third-year full-time or second-, third-, or fourth-year part-time law student in the 2011-2012 academic year who best exemplifies the core values important to Lorraine Power Tharp, Esq. - academic excellence, a demonstrated interest in public service, high integrity, and, if possible, an interest in real property law.  Please find further information and application requirements here.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2011 

J. L. Turner Legal Association Minority Scholarship

J.L. Turner Legal Association (“JLTLA”), the African-American bar association in Dallas, Texas, established several $2,000 scholarships to provide financial assistance 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.  Many past scholarship recipients are now members of JLTLA and practicing law in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  There are two types of JLTLA Minority Law Student Scholarships: merit and financial need.  In selecting financial-need scholarship winners, we will consider an applicant’s need, disadvantaged circumstances, community involvement, and other factors.  JLTLA merit scholarships will be awarded primarily on academic standing.  To be eligible to receive a JLTLA scholarship, an applicant must: (1) be a United States citizen or permanent resident; (2) have a connection to the Dallas-Fort Worth area; (3) be enrolled at an accredited United States law school; and (4) be in good academic standing (proof of academic standing is required).  Applications and additional information may be found on the JLTLA website.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2011

The Defense Association of New York Scholarship

The Defense Association of New York Scholarship ("DANY Scholarship") has been established for the purpose of awarding scholarships to law students who share DANY's objective of a well-educated bar possessing the finest qualities and character.  All currently matriculated law students domiciled in New York State are eligible for a 2011 DANY Scholarship in the amount of $1000.  Further eligibility requirements and application instructions are available here (please disregard due date of 3/15 therein).

Application Deadline: August 15, 2011 

American Association Justice (AAJ) Women for Justice Education Fund's Mike Eidson Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a rising 3L (or rising 4L in a night program) female student 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. Applications are available online.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2011 

Frank H. Lang Merit Scholarship

The law firm of Lang, Richert & Patch is happy to announce the establishment of the Frank H. Lang Merit Scholarship. Awarded annually, the Scholarship is a grant of $1,000.00 towards payment of law school tuition. Application for the Scholarship is open to a first-year law student or a current law school applicant. The Scholarship will be awarded only to persons who graduated from a high school in the Central Valley of California. Please find further information regarding the scholarship here and find the application form here.

Application Deadline: May 27, 2011

Essex County Bar Association Biunno Scholarship Program

The Scholarship is designed to offer financial assistance to persons with disabilities who are currently attending law school.  Applicants must demonstrate a permanent physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activites of the individual having such an impairment, as well as financial need, law school achievement, and commitment to the practice of law.  Further information and the application may be found here.

Application Deadline: May 6, 2011

DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarship

The DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarship program is open to incoming second and third-year African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pan Asian and Native American students. Incoming second and third-year female law students are also eligible, regardless of race or ethnicity. Incoming second and third-year law students who also come from backgrounds that would add to the cause of diversity, regardless of race or gender are eligible to apply. Students who are members of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Law School or Law Student members of AAJ or students otherwise affiliated with or employed by AAJ are not eligible for DRI Law Student Diversity Scholarships. To qualify for this scholarship, candidate must be a full-time student or evening student who has completed two-thirds or more of the total credit hours requirement for a degree by the applicant’s law school. The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to two worthy law students from ABA accredited law schools in order to promote, in a tangible way, the DRI Diversity Statement in Principle.  Two scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each will be awarded to applicants.  Further information and application available on the DRI website.   

Application Deadline: April 27, 2011 

Queens County Bar Association Scholarship

The Queens County Bar Association will again be awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving law student. The scholarship will be based upon personal financial need, a commitment to community service and academic achievement as demonstrated by your personal statement and recommendation letters. If you have not been involved in community service or public interest law, you will not qualify. You must be currently enrolled in a law school in the Metropolitan Area or be a resident of Queens County. All are encouraged to apply. 

Application Deadline: April 21, 2011

The Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties

This fellowship is for first-year law 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 public 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 the areas of civil rights or civil liberties. The fellowship recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium.  For more information and how to apply, please visit The Nation Institute's website.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2011

Hudson County Bar Foundation Scholarship

Scholarships will be awarded to students who are attending law school or who have been accepted to law school for the September 2011 - May 2012 term.  Students must be a resident of Hudson County, NJ; must demonstrate financial need; must provide two current Letters of Recommendation and must account for appropriate academic standards.  Applications are available at the Admissions Office (3rd Floor) Reception Desk. 

Application Deadline: April 15, 2011 

Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a 2L enrolled in a law school in New York state in spring 2011.  The recipient will be a law student who excels in legal writing and advocacy skills.  More details and application requirements may be found here.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2011

Zelle Hoffman Voelbel & Mason LLP Diversity in Law Scholarship

This $30,000 scholarship is for first-year law students enrolled full-time at an ABA-accredited law school and is either a member of a diverse group (broadly defined to include race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical disability, or economic/educational disadvantage) or demonstrates a long-standing commitment to diversity that will be furthered by award of the scholarship.  For further eligibility requirements, more information, and the application, please click here.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2011

New York Bar Foundation Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship

The New York Bar Foundation is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for the 2011 Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship, valued at $5,000.00. Established in 2004 by the law firm, Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., the scholarship will be awarded to a law school student who excels in legal writing and advocacy skills. An essay that displays excellence in legal writing and advocacy skills must be submitted for consideration of this scholarship. The scholarship is open to all second-year (2L) students enrolled in a law school in the State of New York during the 2011 spring semester. Further information and application available online.  

Application Deadline: April 1, 2011 

Brandeis Association, Jerome M. Ginsberg Scholarship and Hon. Moses M. Weinstein Scholarship

Students submit one application for both awards.  The Brandeis Association provides scholarships to Jewish law students in the 2nd and 3rd year of study, who are residents of Queens County or who are attending law school in Queens County.  In awarding the scholarships, consideration will be given to financial need, legal scholarship and community involvement.  Applications are available at the Admissions Office (3rd Floor) Reception Desk.  

Application Deadline: March 25, 2011  

The Defense Association of New York ("DANY") Scholarship 

The DANY Scholarship has been established and funded for the purpose of awarding scholarships to law students and/or legal education programs selected by the DANY Board of Directors to award law students who share DANY's objective of a well-educated bar possessing the finest qualities and character.  All currently matriculated full- or part-time law students domiciled in New York State who attend an ABA accredited law school in the United States are eligible for a DANY Scholarship.  To be considered for a DANY Scholarship for the current year, a letter application must be submitted to the Scholarship Committee and received at the following address: DANY, Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 950, New York, NY 10275-0950.  The letter must state why the applicant has chosen to proceed with studies for a career in the practice of law and what the law student applicant intends to achieve in the practice of law.  Applicants must also submit a resume and a current certified transcript showing grades and class rank in the top 50% of their law school class.  Applicants may, but are not required to, submit one or more letters of recommendation with their application.  Applicants also may, but are not required to, submit a concise article concerning a topic which may be of interest to DANY's members and worthy of being published by DANY.  Further information available on the  DANY Scholarship website.  

Application Deadline: March 15, 2011

The Coca Cola Labor and Employment Law Scholar, Summer 2011

The Scholar will work full time for approximately ten weeks in Coca-Cola Refreshments’ Labor Relations Department, supported by a $20,000 scholarship and an additional stipend of approximately $1,100 per week. The Scholar must be completely available to travel extensively throughout the nation, and may be sited beyond metropolitan New York. Alumni Michael Van Aken and Steve Johnson, senior labor relations/human resources executives with Coca-Cola, facilitated the inauguration of the scholarship in 2010. Applicants should have excellent grades in one or more labor and employment law courses and, preferably, some relevant work or internship experience. The 2010 Scholars had significant relevant employment experience, stellar grades, and two had master’s degrees in labor relations and human resources. Please indicate whether you prefer to do union, employee rights, or management-side work, or whether you are open to the entire spectrum of work. Send by email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and spring 2011 course list to Professor David L. Gregory’s Administrative Assistant, Ms. Paula Edwards, edwardsp@stjohns.edu. The Scholars will be selected shortly thereafter by a committee including Dean Michael A. Simons, Professor Gregory, Assistant Deans Robert Harrison and Lawrence Cunningham, and Assistant Placement Director James Conlon. The Scholars will be officially announced at a reception with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka at the University on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

Application Deadline: February 21, 2011 

The Local 30 Operating Engineers Labor and Employment Law Scholar, Summer 2011

Supported by a $10,000 scholarship and an additional stipend of $750 per week, the Scholar will work approximately ten weeks in conventional labor union work, including, for example, preparing grievances for labor arbitration. Summer 2011 marks the inauguration of this scholarship, through the leadership of Jack Ahern and the executive board of Local 30. Applicants should have excellent grades in one or more labor and employment law courses and, preferably, some relevant work or internship experience. The 2010 Scholars had significant relevant employment experience, stellar grades, and two had master’s degrees in labor relations and human resources. Please indicate whether you prefer to do union, employee rights, or management-side work, or whether you are open to the entire spectrum of work. Send by email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and spring 2011 course list to Professor David L. Gregory’s Administrative Assistant, Ms. Paula Edwards, edwardsp@stjohns.edu. The Scholars will be selected shortly thereafter by a committee including Dean Michael A. Simons, Professor Gregory, Assistant Deans Robert Harrison and Lawrence Cunningham, and Assistant Placement Director James Conlon. The Scholars will be officially announced at a reception with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka at the University on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

Application Deadline: February 21, 2011 

The TBN Labor and Employment Law Scholar, Summer 2011

Supported by a $10,000 scholarship and an additional stipend of $750 per week, the Scholar will work approximately ten weeks on policy issues as a special assistant to the President and executive leadership of a major labor union. Summer 2011 marks the inauguration of this scholarship, through the leadership of a Union President and executive board of a major Union. Applicants should have excellent grades in one or more labor and employment law courses and, preferably, some relevant work or internship experience. The 2010 Scholars had significant relevant employment experience, stellar grades, and two had master’s degrees in labor relations and human resources. Please indicate whether you prefer to do union, employee rights, or management-side work, or whether you are open to the entire spectrum of work. Send by email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and spring 2011 course list to Professor David L. Gregory’s Administrative Assistant, Ms. Paula Edwards, edwardsp@stjohns.edu. The Scholars will be selected shortly thereafter by a committee including Dean Michael A. Simons, Professor Gregory, Assistant Deans Robert Harrison and Lawrence Cunningham, and Assistant Placement Director James Conlon. The Scholars will be officially announced at a reception with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka at the University on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

Application Deadline: February 21, 2011

The Anthony L. Pedretti Labor and Employment Law Scholar and Junior Fellow of the Center for Labor and Employment Law, Summer 2011

The Scholar will receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist with the work of the Center. Mr. Mark Pedretti ‘92, Esq., a partner in the New York City offices of the Reed Smith law firm, founded the scholarship in 2010. Applicants should have excellent grades in one or more labor and employment law courses and, preferably, some relevant work or internship experience. The 2010 Scholars had significant relevant employment experience, stellar grades, and two had master’s degrees in labor relations and human resources. Please indicate whether you prefer to do union, employee rights, or management-side work, or whether you are open to the entire spectrum of work. Send by email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and spring 2011 course list to Professor David L. Gregory’s Administrative Assistant, Ms. Paula Edwards, edwardsp@stjohns.edu. The Scholars will be selected shortly thereafter by a committee including Dean Michael A. Simons, Professor Gregory, Assistant Deans Robert Harrison and Lawrence Cunningham, and Assistant Placement Director James Conlon. The Scholars will be officially announced at a reception with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka at the University on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

Application Deadline: February 21, 2011 

The John Boyd Labor and Employment Law Scholar and Junior Fellow of the Center for Labor and Employment Law, Summer 2011

The Scholar will receive a $2,500 scholarship to assist with the work of the Center. Mr. Patrick Boyd ’00, Esq., the Founding partner of the Boyd Law Group, a leading boutique law firm with an international practice, representing employees and employers in all facets of employment law, founded the scholarship in 2010.  Applicants should have excellent grades in one or more labor and employment law courses and, preferably, some relevant work or internship experience. The 2010 Scholars had significant relevant employment experience, stellar grades, and two had master’s degrees in labor relations and human resources. Please indicate whether you prefer to do union, employee rights, or management-side work, or whether you are open to the entire spectrum of work. Send by email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and spring 2011 course list to Professor David L. Gregory’s Administrative Assistant, Ms. Paula Edwards, edwardsp@stjohns.edu. The Scholars will be selected shortly thereafter by a committee including Dean Michael A. Simons, Professor Gregory, Assistant Deans Robert Harrison and Lawrence Cunningham, and Assistant Placement Director James Conlon. The Scholars will be officially announced at a reception with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka at the University on Friday, March 18, 2011. 

Application Deadline: February 21, 2011 

The Saratoga County Bar Association Scholarship

The Saratoga County Bar Association will be offering two $1,000 scholarships to the residents of Saratoga County who are in their 2nd and 3rd year of law school.  The scholarship committee considers an applicant's class rank, demonstration of leadership, community involvement and financial need.  Applications are available at the Admissions Office (3rd Floor) reception desk. 

Application Deadline: February 15, 2011