Scholarship and Grant Assistance
MSU Law has one of the most generous scholarship programs among law schools in the nation, annually providing as many as 160 full-and partial-tuition scholarships to members of each incoming class. For the class entering in fall 2011, 58% of students received a scholarship or grant from the Law College, with an average award of $25,800. Students not receiving scholarship aid for the first year are able to receive up to full-tuition scholarship aid for years two and three at the Law College, based on achieving a 1L GPA of 3.60 or higher. Additionally, the Law College offers need-based grants for incoming law students.
- Academic Scholarships - 2013 Incoming Class
- Need-Based Grant Assistance - Incoming Law Students
- Full and Partial-Tuition Scholarships - Second-Year Students
The majority of scholarships are renewable up to 88 credit hours, with scholarship assistance applying to courses taken at the Law College, courses taught by MSU Law faculty in the Washington, DC Semester Program, the Law College's summer study-abroad programs, and online courses taught by the Law College.
Each candidate who is offered admission to MSU Law's incoming class on or before February 1 will receive full consideration for scholarship assistance; no separate application is required. Applicants who wish to be considered for a need-based award should be certain to submit the necessary application materials by February 20.
Academic Scholarships - Fall 2013 Entering Class
The criteria listed here represent the Scholarship Committee's best effort to communicate the expected numerical standards for scholarships that will be provided to candidates admitted into the fall 2013 entering class. It's important to note that the Scholarship Committee also gives consideration to factors such as rigor of academic program, grade trends, and extenuating circumstances. Variations in the applicant pool also may prompt the Scholarship Committee to adjust (upward or downward) award levels. Although all applicants for admission are considered for scholarships, the selection committee may request a phone interview or supplemental information.
Dean Charles H. King Full-Tuition Scholarship The Dean Charles H. King Scholars Program is available to as many as 20 incoming students who have outstanding academic records and who have performed similarly well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Criteria for consideration include a minimum UGPA of 3.80 and an LSAT score of 163 or higher. In addition to being provided a full-tuition scholarship that has a three-year value of approximately $105,000, King Scholars participate in a variety of special events and courses that add breadth, depth, and increased opportunities for professional development. For additional information on the King Scholars Program, please see The King Scholars Program at MSU Law (PDF).
Faculty Full-Tuition Scholarship The Law College will recognize as many as 20 incoming students by providing them with a renewable award covering 100 percent of tuition. Presidential Scholars will have excelled in their undergraduate studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher and with an LSAT score of 160 or higher.
Dean's Academic Promise Scholarship ($25,000 per academic year) As many as 35 Dean's Academic Promise Scholarships will be provided to incoming students who have established records of academic accomplishment with corresponding performance on the LSAT. Criteria for consideration of these renewable awards include a UGPA of 3.60 and an LSAT score of 158 or higher.
Academic Excellence Scholarship ($17,500 per academic year) The Law College will award as many as 50 Academic Excellence Scholarships to members of the entering class. Admitted candidates who have an undergraduate record of 3.25 or higher and a minimum LSAT score of 157 will be considered for one of these renewable awards.
Alumni Academic Scholarship (awards vary up to $12,500 per academic year) The Alumni Academic Scholarship will be given to incoming students whose credentials suggest that they have the ability to achieve significant academic performance in their legal studies at MSU Law. As many as 40 awards will be provided to incoming students. Criteria for consideration of the Alumni Academic Scholarship include a UGPA of 3.10 or higher and an LSAT score of 157 or higher.
Trustee Full-Tuition and Partial-Tuition Scholarships Trustee Scholarships are provided to a select number of incoming students whose personal and professional backgrounds will contribute to a richer diversity within the student body and, as attorneys, to the legal profession. In considering admitted candidates for a Trustee Scholarship, the Committee will focus on information contained in the personal statement, resume, and academic accomplishment.
Most MSU Law scholarships require the recipient to achieve a minimum law-school GPA of 3.00 at the end of the academic year. Renewal of scholarship assistance is the norm.
Need-Based Grant Assistance for Incoming Law Students
MSU Law will provide grant assistance to deserving students who meet specific qualifications, who demonstrate financial need, and who are not recipients of other sources of nonrepayable aid from the Law College.
Career Transition Grant: $8,500-$17,500 per year
The Career Transition Grant is intended to assist incoming law students who can bring to the College and the legal profession substantial prior work experience. Candidates for this award must have a minimum of five years of full-time work experience, graduate study, or a similar amount of time as a full-time caregiver of a family member. As many as three Career Transition Grants will be awarded annually, with priority given to candidates who demonstrate financial need and who are not receiving scholarship funds from MSU Law.* The Career Transition Grant will be renewed annually based on good academic standing and the absence of other scholarship assistance from the College of Law.
Part-Time Program Grant: $8,500-$17,500 per year
The Part-Time Program Grant is intended to assist incoming law students whose work or family obligations require them to enroll in the Law College on a part-time basis during the day. As many as three Part-Time Grants will be awarded annually to incoming students, with preference given to candidates who demonstrate financial need and who are not receiving scholarship funds from the College of Law.* The Part-Time Program Grant will be renewed annually based on good academic standing and the absence of other assistance from the College.
Public Interest Grant and Stipend: Approximate value of $7,500
The Public Interest Grant covers the cost of tuition for a three-credit hour externship course (to be completed the summer following the first year of law school) and a stipend of $3,000 to assist with summer living expenses associated with the externship. As many as five Public Interest Grants will be provided to incoming students, with preference given to admitted candidates who demonstrate financial need and who are not receiving scholarship funds from the College.*
Prospective students who wish to be considered for these awards must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and provide a statement describing the applicant's qualifications and/or financial need (not to exceed 200 words). The application deadline for these awards is February 20. Application essays may be directed to the Office of Admissions: admiss@law.msu.edu
Scholarship Awards Available to Second-Year Law Students
MSU Law is among a handful of law schools across the nation that provide a guaranteed scholarship to students who excel academically during the first year (24 credit hours) of study. Awards of half, three-quarter, and full-tuition will be provided, as follows:
- A student who achieves a grade-point average of 3.80 after 24 credit hours in the first year will be provided a full-tuition scholarship;
- A student whose GPA at the end of 24 credit hours is between a 3.70 and 3.79 will be provided a scholarship equivalent to 75 percent of tuition;
- A student whose GPA at the end of 24 credit hours is between a 3.60 and 3.69 will be provided a scholarship equivalent to 50 percent of tuition.
The Scholarship Program makes the value of an MSU legal education that much more robust. Past recipients of awards, being free of significant debt, have been able to consider a wider range of post-graduation employment opportunities.