Scholarships

Scholarship Information

There are four types of scholarship funding opportunities for KU Law students. All admitted students are automatically considered for KU School of Law scholarships with the submission of their admission application. Scholarship recipients are notified at the same time they receive their admission decision.

Once enrolled, students may apply for KU School of Law scholarships with specific eligibility criteria. Throughout the year, a number of scholarship opportunities are presented from private organizations. KU Law students are regularly notified of these scholarship opportunities.

Merit-based Scholarship

Merit-based scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and the student's potential for success in law school. These scholarships are awarded to both resident and nonresident first-year students. Among the factors that may be considered for academic achievement are standardized test scores (LSAT, GRE) and academic records. Among the factors that may be considered for a student’s potential for success are leadership experience; personal experience overcoming significant personal, educational or socio-economic hardships; or a demonstrated commitment to public service. Applicants are encouraged to share these experiences and commitments in their application materials.

There is no application process to be considered for merit-based scholarships. Any student admitted to the School of Law is automatically considered.

Rice Scholar Program

The Rice Scholar Program brings Kansas residents with outstanding academic records and proven leadership ability to the University of Kansas School of Law. A committee of faculty members selects Rice Scholars from the first-year admitted student candidates. Selection is based on merit only, as evidenced by undergraduate academic achievement, LSAT score, and record of leadership. Final selections are made after interviews with the Rice Scholarship committee.

In addition to full funding of tuition and required fees, the scholarship provides a stipend equal to the estimated annual costs for books.

Need-based Scholarship

The KU School of Law believes all students should have opportunities to study law. To help remove financial barriers to obtaining a legal education, we are proud to offer need-based KUTG awards. These awards are funded by the University of Kansas to provide scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need. To qualify, candidates must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and answer the financial need questions on the electronic application. There is no separate application for this scholarship.

Information about the FAFSA form may be obtained online at fafsa.gov.

The University of Kansas Federal School Code is 001948.

Scholastic Achiever Awards

The Scholastic Achiever Award provides scholarships for current students finishing in the top 20% in class rank for their class year. Students finishing in the top 10% class rank for their class year will be eligible for this award, granting them a maximum aggregate scholarship award of $10,000. Students finishing outside the top 10% class rank for their class, but within the top 20%, will be eligible for an award granting them a maximum aggregate scholarship award of $5,000.

For example, if a student with zero scholarship awards finishes in the top 10%, they will receive a $10,000 Scholastic Achiever Award. If the student already has a $3,000 scholarship, they will receive a $7,000 Scholastic Achiever Award. If the student already has a $15,000 scholarship, they will receive no additional scholarship awards. For determining the award amount, any scholarship administered by either the Office of Financial Aid or the School of Law will be considered. This includes Rice, Weigand and other similar awards. Award eligibility will be determined at the end of the spring semester. Awards will be divided equally between the fall and spring semesters for the following years. Awards are not automatically renewed.

Vantage Scholarship

Prospective law students from the Kansas City, Missouri, metro area have one more reason to consider the University of Kansas for their law degree: the KU Vantage Scholarship.

Vantage gives students who have established residency in one of 11 Missouri counties the chance to pursue a KU law degree by awarding a scholarship that bridges the gap between out of state and in-state tuition for students who have not otherwise received a scholarship offer. Students from these 11 counties are eligible: Bates, Buchanan, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray.