Applying For Nyu Law: Named Scholarships And You

NYU School of Law offers a wide range of scholarships to both incoming and current students. The majority of scholarships are Dean's Awards, which are merit- and/or need-based grants of up to full tuition. In addition, there are several specialized scholarships available, many of which offer full tuition and integrated academic and professional programs. These include the Furman Academic Scholars Program, the Mitchell Jacobson Leadership Program in Law & Business, the Latinx Rights Scholarship, and the Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship Program, among others. Applicants for specialized scholarships may be required to submit additional materials such as essays or statements.

Dean's Awards

NYU School of Law offers a host of scholarships to both incoming and current students. The main source of scholarship aid for entering students is the Dean's Awards, for which they are automatically considered with their application for admission to the Law School.

To be considered for a Dean's Award, admitted students must complete an online institutional financial aid application. All admitted students should submit the financial aid application, including those who applied for a named scholarship program as part of their application for admission.

In addition to Dean's Awards, NYU School of Law also offers specialized scholarships with additional requirements, most often an essay or statement.

Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarships

The Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship Program is the nation's premier public service scholarship. Established in 1951, the scholarship has a rich history, and its alumni include some of the most powerful public service attorneys working today. The program covers full tuition, without regard to financial need, for three years of law school for outstanding students who promise to pursue public service.

Each year, 20 scholars are selected based on three criteria: commitment to public service, academic excellence, and leadership potential. In addition to full tuition, scholars participate in a program that fosters future public service leaders by providing unique educational, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The program defines public service broadly, encompassing policy and legal positions in government, non-profit organisations, academia, social entrepreneurship, community development, and law firms primarily serving the public interest.

The Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship values diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including race, sex, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, geographic origins, and ideology. The program aims to select a diverse class that reflects this range of perspectives and experiences.

To apply for the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship, applicants must submit the following in addition to their JD application:

• At least one letter of recommendation that addresses their interest in public service.
• A short essay (no more than 750 words) discussing their commitment to public service, career goals, and factors influencing their career path.
• Read and acknowledge the relevant statements in Section 11 of the JD application, where they can indicate their interest in the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship and any other public service scholarships that fit their interests.

The priority deadline for applications is December 1, and all applications must be submitted by January 1. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews between February and mid-March, and scholarship offers will be made shortly after. It is important to note that recipients of the Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship are expected to work in public service for three to five years after graduation or repay the scholarship.

NYU scholarship application process

The scholarship application process at NYU School of Law differs depending on the type of scholarship and the degree being pursued. Here is a detailed guide to help you understand the process:

JD Scholarships:

NYU School of Law offers scholarships to both incoming and current students pursuing their Juris Doctor (JD) degrees.

#### Entering Students:

For incoming students, the main source of scholarship aid is the Dean's Awards, for which students are automatically considered when they apply for admission to the Law School. Additional applications for specialized scholarships are also accepted.

The specialized scholarships include:

• Furman Academic Scholars Program
• Mitchell Jacobson Leadership Program in Law & Business
• The Cybersecurity Service Scholarship
• AnBryce Scholarship Program
• Latinx Rights Scholarship
• Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship Program
• Sinsheimer Service Scholarship
• Lyn & Gilbert M. Kapelman - John Norton Pomeroy Scholarship
• Desmarais Law and Technology Scholarship
• Engelberg Scholarship

To be considered for the Dean's Awards and Vanderbilt Scholarships, admitted students must complete the online institutional financial aid application. Instructions for completing this application are sent to admitted students in early January.

The priority deadline for programmatic scholarships is December 1, and all scholarship applications must be submitted by January 1.

#### Current Students:

Current students can review the list of scholarships available for 1Ls and 2Ls. To be eligible to receive a scholarship award during a given semester, students must be enrolled full-time at the School of Law.

LLM Scholarships:

NYU Law offers highly competitive scholarships to full-time Master of Laws (LLM) students. These include the Hauser, Podell, Vanderbilt Scholarships, and Dean's Graduate Awards.

To be considered for Law School funding, there is no separate financial aid application required. All required materials are collected in the admission application. US JDs should apply to the LLM by the scholarship priority deadline.

Review of scholarship applications takes place after admission notifications, and decisions are based on merit without regard to financial need.

JSD Scholarships:

All students admitted to the Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) program receive full funding for up to four years. This funding includes the cost of tuition, fees, student health insurance, and a living stipend.

Undergraduate Scholarships:

NYU offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate students, including the NYU Promise scholarship. Starting in Fall 2024, all full-time first-year undergraduate students whose family income is under $100,000 will not have to pay tuition.

Other scholarships for undergraduates include the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, and Katz Scholarship, the Helen and Martin Kimmel Scholarship, and the Barclays 9/11/01 Memorial Scholarship, among others.

To apply for NYU scholarships, undergraduate students should refer to the information provided by Undergraduate Admissions. Additionally, students should submit all required financial aid applications, including the FAFSA, by their respective deadlines.

General Financial Aid Application Process:

NYU encourages all students, regardless of their financial situation, to apply for financial aid as soon as possible. The application process involves submitting the necessary financial aid applications, such as the FAFSA, by the specified deadlines.

While tax returns or other family financial records are not required unless specifically requested, NYU may select your application for verification, in which case these documents must be provided.

Should You Apply for Named Scholarships at NYU Law?

Absolutely! NYU School of Law offers a variety of named scholarships, and applying for these scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of your legal education. These scholarships are typically awarded based on merit, financial need, or a combination of both.

By applying for named scholarships, you increase your chances of securing funding for your law school studies. These scholarships often provide full-tuition support and, in some cases, additional benefits such as mentoring, networking opportunities, and career support.

Remember to review the specific requirements and deadlines for each scholarship, as they may vary.

NYU Law's full-ride scholarships

NYU School of Law offers a host of full-ride scholarships for incoming students. The most common form of scholarship aid for new students is the Dean's Award, which is a merit- and/or need-based grant of up to full tuition. Applicants who fill out their financial aid information do not need to do anything else to be considered for this scholarship.

However, NYU School of Law also offers specialized scholarships with additional requirements, most often an essay or statement. Here are some of the special full-ride scholarships you can apply for:

Furman Academic Scholars Program

Furman Academic Scholars receive a full scholarship while they train to be future law professors. Scholars in the program receive a faculty mentor upon entry, with two or more additional faculty members joining the student's team before graduation. Most scholars end up with a top clerkship and go on to teach at top law schools. However, some alumni have taken positions with the government, law firms, and NGOs. Applicants must submit a 500-word statement describing why they want to teach law and the area of law they wish to teach.

Mitchell Jacobson Leadership Program in Law & Business

NYU's Jacobson Leadership Program in Law and Business supports students who want a non-traditional career path that lies within the convergence of law and business. Graduates receive full tuition to cover training to prepare them for leadership roles in the United States and worldwide. During the program, students create their own program drawing from the School of Law and the Stern School of Business. Jacobson Scholars may also choose to pursue their MBA in conjunction with their JD by adding a fourth year. Applicants can indicate their interest in this program in the application. They must also submit a 500-word essay addressing their interest in the area of law and business.

ASPIRE Scholarship Program

NYU's School of Law's ASPIRE Scholarship Program is an interdisciplinary program that trains law students who want to learn more about cyber and information security and intend to pursue a career in the state, local, or federal government. Each year, one student receives a full-tuition scholarship for three years, a stipend for living expenses in years two and three, and some money for additional related expenses. Applicants must submit an addendum to their NYU School of Law application that describes their interest in cybersecurity and public service. Those selected for the program must then agree to work for a government agency for two years and participate in a government cybersecurity internship in the summer after their second year.

AnBryce Scholarship Program

The AnBryce Scholarship Program supports first-generation law students and graduate students who have demonstrated leadership in challenging socioeconomic situations. In addition to a full-tuition scholarship, AnBryce Scholarship recipients receive mentoring, network opportunities, and career support once they graduate. Applicants must sign the appropriate statement on their NYU Law application to indicate their interest in applying for the AnBryce Scholarship. They must also include a 500-750-word essay that describes how they have overcome obstacles and how legal education can help them give back and make a positive impact in their career.

Latinx Rights Scholarship

Students committed to social justice, with demonstrated leadership skills, a strong academic record, and a desire to pursue a career in the public interest have the opportunity to receive the Latinx Rights Scholarship from NYU School of Law. Each year, the program selects two incoming students passionate about social justice work that impacts Latinx communities. Past recipients of the scholarship have worked at local and national levels in a wide range of areas, such as public defense, civil liberties, labor rights, politics, and more. Scholars must also spend two summers working at a public interest organization and a full two years after graduation. Applicants must submit a one-page essay of 500 words describing their interest in serving Latinx communities.

Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship Program

NYU School of Law offers outstanding students who want to pursue public service a wide range of full-ride scholarships under the Root-Tilden-Kern Program. The program chooses 20 students each year based on their commitment to public service, academic excellence, and leadership potential. Like other scholarship programs, Root-Tilden-Kern also offers mentoring and networking opportunities. Within the program, several named scholarships exist, and each focuses on a specific issue. They include:

• Filomen M. D'Agostino Scholarship for Women's and Children's Rights
• Filomen M. D'Agostino Scholarship in Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, and/or Criminal Justice
• Jacobson Public Service Scholarship for Women, Children, and Families
• Lindemann Family Public Service Scholarship
• Sinsheimer Service Scholarship

Recipients of any scholarship under the Root-Tilden-Kern Program must commit to public service work for three to five years after graduation, or they must repay the scholarship. In addition to the JD application, scholarship applicants must take two additional steps. First, applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation that addresses their interest in public service. Second, applicants must submit a short essay of no more than 750 words that discusses their commitment to public service, career goals, and factors that have influenced their career path.

IILJ Joyce Lowinson Scholars Program

The IILJ Joyce Lowinson Scholars Program is a highly selective program for law students who have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in comparative, transnational, and international law. Students who receive the full-ride scholarship do not have to go through a special application process like other scholarship programs. The NYU School of Law admissions committee reviews application packages and forwards the best candidates to the IILJ, who chooses finalists to visit the campus for an interview.

NYU Law's Loan Repayment Assistance Program

NYU School of Law's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is designed to help graduates working in public interest jobs reduce their debt obligations. The program integrates with the federal government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and the income-based repayment (IBR) option available to graduates with federal Direct Loans.

Here's how it works:

Eligibility

To be eligible for LRAP benefits, participants must be NYU School of Law JD graduates with total net worth (assets minus liabilities) of less than $100,000. They must also be full-time, paid employees working at least 35 hours per week in eligible positions, which include jobs in federal, state, and local government, nonprofit organizations, judicial clerkships, legal academia, and some self-employment or for-profit organizations serving the public interest.

Qualifying Debt and Debt Service

LRAP recognizes debt service on law school student loans approved and recognized by NYU. This includes formal educational debt from certified student loan programs used to fund educational expenses incurred during the academic year. Non-law educational debt of up to $30,000 in original principal is also included in LRAP Plus.

Qualifying Income

Program participants earning up to $80,000 are eligible for LRAP benefits equal to 100% of their Qualifying Debt Service. Participants can earn up to a total of $500,000 and still qualify for benefits under Integrated LRAP. Qualifying income scales are determined annually by NYU, using public service salaries as a reference.

Benefit Calculation

LRAP benefits are calculated based on Qualifying Debt Service, Qualifying Income, and any Participant Contribution that may be required. The monthly LRAP benefit is equal to the monthly Qualifying Debt Service less the monthly Participant Contribution.

LRAP Plus Options

LRAP Plus offers two options: an income-driven plan and a traditional 10-year plan. With the income-driven plan, participants may earn up to $110,000 a year and have no monthly payment on their law school loans. If participants stay with this plan for 10 years, their loans can be fully forgiven with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. LRAP Plus also includes a dependent allowance of $10,000 per eligible dependent.

Application and Deferral

Qualified participants can apply for LRAP Plus at any time and may defer for up to two years to start a family, pursue further education, or deal with unforeseen hardships.

In summary, NYU School of Law's Loan Repayment Assistance Program offers generous benefits to graduates pursuing public service careers, providing financial support and flexibility to help them manage their student loan debt.

Frequently asked questions