Rewarding Excellence with Generous Scholarships

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MSU Law has one of the most generous scholarship programs among law schools in the nation, annually providing as many as 45 full-tuition scholarships and 60 partial-tuition scholarships to members of each incoming class. The College also offers continuing students the opportunity to receive full- and partial-tuition scholarships based on strong academic performance during the first year of law school. Additionally, the Law College offers need-based grants for incoming law students.

Each candidate who is offered admission to MSU Law's incoming class receives consideration for scholarship assistance. No separate application is necessary. Applicants who wish to be considered for a need-based award should be certain to submit the necessary application materials by February 15.

Full- and Partial-Tuition Scholarships Available to Incoming Law Students

Dean Charles H. King Full-Tuition Scholarship
The Dean Charles H. King Scholars Program is awarded to 20 incoming students who have established outstanding academic records at the undergraduate level and whose performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) places them in the top 15 percentile of test takers nationally. Criteria for consideration include a UGPA of 3.75 and an LSAT score of 161.

In addition to being provided a full-tuition scholarship, 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 College awards as many as 15 full-tuition scholarships to incoming students whose credentials suggest that they will excel in their legal studies at MSU Law. Criteria for consideration of these awards include a UGPA of 3.50 and an LSAT score of 160.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (up to $25,000)
As many as 25 Academic Excellence Scholarships are given to incoming students who have established records of academic accomplishment with corresponding performance on the LSAT. Criteria for consideration of Academic Excellence awards include a UGPA of 3.50 and an LSAT score of 156.

Alumni Merit Scholarship ($8,500 to $12,500)
The Alumni Merit Scholarship is given to incoming students whose credentials suggest that they have the ability to achieve significant academic performance in their legal studies at MSU Law. This scholarship is given to as many as 15 incoming students and is frequently awarded by the College to individuals whose prior academic performance does not necessarily serve as an indicator of the recipient's full potential for academic success at the MSU Law. Criteria for consideration of Academic Excellence awards include a UGPA of 3.20 and an LSAT score of 156.

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.

Prospective students should note that the stated criteria for consideration of these awards represent the Scholarship Committee's best effort to communicate likely numerical criteria for consideration. However, as the competition for admission varies from year to year, there may be upward or downward adjustments made to the stated criteria.

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 provided that students maintain good academic standing.

Need-Based Grant Assistance for Incoming Law Students

Student Moot Court

Effective with the class enrolling in August 2010, MSU Law will provide grant assistance to deserving students who meet specific qualifications and who demonstrate financial need. Consideration of these awards requires an applicant to submit a brief essay and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

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; the MSU Law Scholarship Committee will make award decisions no later than March 10. Application essays may be directed to the Office of Admissions: admiss@law.msu.edu

Scholarship Awards Available to Second-Year Law Students

Students who excel academically during the first year (29 credit hours) will be provided scholarship assistance up to 100 percent of tuition, as follows:

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.