Named Scholarships

Named Scholarships are available to current JD students only. New and prospective students should review our first-year scholarship opportunities. Students in the LLM or Master’s programs should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for information on scholarship opportunities.

Applications for named awards are collected once in the Spring. We currently collect applications for about 40 scholarships each year.

Total scholarship awards (which can consist of multiple Named Scholarships) vary in amount from year to year, but are generally $2,000 - $5,000.

Applications for 2025-2026 are closed.

Future applications can be submitted through DocuSign. DocuSign eliminates the need to print and scan documents and allows for the secure collection of attachments. If you experience issues with DocuSign, please contact the Financial Management Office at financialmanagement@law.du.edu or 303.871.6557. The form will require email validation, which also permits you to return and complete the application later. Once you enter your email, a code will be emailed to you with a subject that includes “Email Validation”. To return later, select “Other Actions” from the top right and select “Finish Later”. You must sign and submit the document with required attachments before your scholarship application is complete. You will receive a copy of the completed form for your records upon completion.

  • Application Requirements

    Applications for 2025-2026 are due February 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

    • The application above is the central application for all Named Scholarships. The scholarship committee will match eligible students to awards using a variety of criteria, and applications for individual scholarships are not accepted. Should additional information be needed for your application, you’ll be contacted directly.
    • Attach a current resume.
    • Attach a personal statement.
    • To be considered for need based scholarships, your 2025-2026 FAFSA must be received by DU by February 21, 2025.
    • Award decisions will be made by mid-April and recipients notified if selected for a Named Scholarship. Please note that application and associated documents may be shared with donors or their representatives if selected for an award.
    • All Named Scholarship recipients are expected to reply to all correspondence related to their award. Correspondences may include requests for biographies/headshots to share with donors, or invitations to meet the funder(s) of your scholarship, and may come from the Director of Student Financial Management, the Office of Advancement, or their delegate(s).
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    How will I know when applications are being accepted?

    The application will be posted to this webpage, and current students will be emailed. The application typically opens in February.

    How will I know if I received an award?

    Scholarship recipients will be notified via their DU email address.

    I didn’t receive an award. Why is this?

    The Named Scholarship process is extremely competitive. Historically, nearly 200 students apply for approximately 40 scholarships. The amount of available funding also varies from year to year, based on factors which include (among others) donations from scholarship founders and returns on the DU endowment portfolio.

    What should I write in my statement?

    The key thing is to address the criteria in the scholarship description and let the Committee know a little bit about yourself and your plans in, and after, law school. Most scholarships are for specific areas of law (e.g., Water, Public Interest), so you should specifically highlight your interest in that field. Some possibilities to articulate are what drew you to that type of law, what you have done that demonstrates your interest in that type of law (internships, volunteer work, etc.), and what you hope to do in that area of law.

    Your transcript will show your GPA, and we get your financial need information from the FAFSA, but you can still talk about what academic accomplishments you are proud of and if you have unusual circumstances, such as a lot of medical bills which affect your financial need.

    I don’t have a 3.9 GPA, should I even bother applying if the scholarship says “academic merit?”

    Most scholarships have other criteria. If your GPA is less competitive but you are deeply passionate about health law and effectively express that passion in your statement, you may still have the opportunity to receive a scholarship for health lawyers.

    Can I get more than one scholarship? What if I already have a scholarship?

    Yes, you can get more than one Named Scholarship, and you can get Named Scholarships even if you were offered a scholarship when you started law school.

    Can scholarships be used to cover books or living expenses?

    No. Scholarships will only pay for Denver Law tuition.

Contact

Financial Aid & Scholarships