External Scholarships
Throughout the year, the Office of Admissions receives
notices of scholarships that are offered through external
organizations. Information about the scholarship awards
that are currently available is listed below. Award
notices are listed in the order in which they were received.
You may also find information on other outside scholarship
awards on the Internet. The following sites are useful
for finding scholarship and financial aid information:
The Geri and Ron Yonover Fellowship
Application Deadline: March 30, 2012 - Deadline Extended and Amount Increased
The Geri and Ron Yonover Fellowship was established to provide financial assistance to a full-time student who has completed his or her first year of law school and has primary custody of a child or children under the age of fifteen. The $5,000 fellowship will help defray the cost of the recipient's tuition in spring 2012. To apply, applicants should forward a letter of interest, copy of law school transcript, and current resume to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by March 30, 2012.
DuPage Association of Woman Lawyers Judge Helen C. Kinney Award
Application Deadline: March 23, 2012
The DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and the Chair of the Scholarship Committee, announce their annual Judge Helen C. Kinney Scholarship and invite women law students to apply. The scholarship is open to all first, second and third year women law students with a connection to DuPage County. The DAWL application deadline for the 2011-2012 award year has been extended through March 23, 2012.
The Black Women Lawyers' Association of Chicago Essay Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 23, 2012
The Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago Scholarship Committee announces the BWLA’s Spring Essay Scholarship. The mission of the BWLA is to encourage and support African-American women in law, and its essay contest is open to all students. Winners will be chosen based on their essay, resume, and interview. The minimum cash prize is $2,500. To apply, please return the BWLA Essay application and required application documents by March 23, 2012. For more information about this scholarship, please contact the BWLA at scholarship@bwla.org.
The Robert Masur Fellowship for Civil Liberties
Application Deadline: March 23, 2012
The Robert Masur Fellowship for Civil Liberties is open to current first-year law students. Offered annually by The Nation Institute, it consists of a $1000 honorarium for students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer (in between their first and second year) in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties. Proposed activities may include a writing or research project, work with a public interest organization in the areas of civil rights or civil liberties, work on a civil rights or civil liberties law case under the supervision of a faculty member or lawyer, or any other work in the areas of civil rights or civil liberties.
Applicants should send a proposal, no more than two pages, describing his or her intended summer project, along with a resume, a brief letter of recommendation, and the name of their faculty or organizational sponsor. All applications must be received by March 23, 2012. For more information about the Fellowship and The Nation Institute, please visit http://www.nationinstitute.org/prizes/1068/the_robert_masur_fellowship_in_civil_liberties/.
Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Timothy Evans Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 23, 2012
The Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation is pleased to announce that they are accepting applications for the "Honorable Timothy C. Evans Scholarship". The scholarship was established to honor the commitment and dedication that Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Timothy C. Evans has devoted to the Northwest Suburban Bar Association (NWSBA) and the community of Cook County.
The scholarship is offered to currently enrolled law school students who reside in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (this includes Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Will, Kendall, Grundy & LaSalle counties). Scholarship awards range from $500 - $2500.
Interested applicants must submit the 2012 application by the March 23rd deadline.
Questions can be directed to the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Foundation at jbarth@nwsba.org or 847-221-2601.
Illinois Judicial Council Foundation Scholarships
Application Deadline: March 23, 2012
The Illinois Judicial Council (IJC) Foundation announces its 2012 Law School Scholarships. The IJC, founded in 1983, is an organization comprised primarily, but not exclusively, of African-American State and Federal judges, administrative judges and hearing officers. It has dedicated itself to bridging the gap between the judiciary and the community through educational dialogues regarding the legal system. Since 1999, the IJC Foundation has funded numerous scholarships, totaling in excess of $100,000 to minority and other deserving law school students throughout Illinois and beyond. To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria: be enrolled full-time in an accredited Illinois law school, submit an official transcript, submit a financial statement, submit a completed scholarship application, submit two letters of recommendation, submit a personal statement and resume, and submit to a personal interview by the scholarship committee. You may download a copy of the application form here. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically to ijc.scholarship@gmail.com by Friday, March 23, 2012.
Central Illinois Women's Bar Association Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 9, 2012
The Central Illinois Women's Bar Association is proud to announce its 2012 scholarship opportunity. One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded in 2012. To apply, applicants must be female, enrolled in an accredited law school, and a resident of one of the following Illinois counties upon graduating from high school:
Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Greene, Jersey, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Vermilion, and Woodford.
Interested persons must complete the application form, write an essay, provide two letters of recommendation, and law school transcript to Central Illinois Women's Bar Association; Attn: Scholarship Program/RDG; 400 S. Ninth Street, Suite 200; Springfield, IL 62701. For more information about the scholarship, email rgrischow@hinshawlaw.com. Applications are available in the Office of Admissions, suite 230.
ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 1, 2012
The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund will award $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. An award made to an entering first-year student may be renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000 during his or her time in law school. Recipients will be selected based on their qualifications for the scholarship and not on the law school they plan to attend. Therefore law students applying to any and all-ABA accredited law schools may benefit from these scholarships. The application is available online at http://www.ambar.org/DiversityScholarship. Completed scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2012.
The Institute for Justice Center for Judicial Engagement Law-Student Essay Contest
Application Deadline: February 6, 2012
The Institute for Justice Center for Judicial Engagement law-student essay contest seeks to reward the best law-student writing designed to persuade the general public of the virtues of judicial engagement. Entrants should write an essay of no more than 2,000 words concerning this topic:
Recent debates over the role of the courts in reviewing legislative enactments have focused heavily on terminology: specifically, whether we should be most concerned with courts that engage in “judicial activism” or whether, as the Eleventh Circuit wrote in striking down portions of the Affordable Care Act, in cases of legislative overreach, “the Constitution requires judicial engagement, not judicial abdication.” In an essay aimed at a popular audience, discuss the role of the courts in American government and the differences among judicial engagement, judicial activism, and judicial abdication.
Winners will be those who most clearly and persuasively articulate the principles and importance of judicial engagement. Further explanation of those principles and their application can be found at www.ij.org/cje.
First prize will be a $3,000 award, along with a free trip to Washington, D.C. to receive your prize at IJ’s headquarters; second prize will net a $1,000 award; and third prize $500.
Students should email a Word version of their essay (no PDFs) to essays@ij.org no later than February 6, 2012. Late entries will not be considered. The Institute for Justice will announce winners by mid-April of 2012.
The Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest
Intent to Enter Deadline: January 31, 2012
The Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest is a $5,000 cash award given to the author of the winning essay. The 2012 topic is: Are Factory Farms Hog-Tying People’s Rights? Any student currently enrolled in an accredited American law school may submit a legal essay for the competition. Essays can only be written during the academic year covered by the competition and may not be prepared as part of paid legal work outside of law school.
The Intent-to-enter submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and the essay contest deadline is March 31, 2012. The competition will be judged by a panel of nationally known trial lawyers and law professors. Information about the rules and criteria are posted on the Public Justice website www.publicjustice.net/What-We-Do/Awards/Law-School-Essay-Contest.aspx.
The Public Justice Foundation is a non-profit membership organization of over 3,000 attorneys, law students and others supporting the national public interest law firm Public Justice, P.C. For more information about the organization, visit their web site www.publicjustice.net.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012
Educational scholarship funds from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are available for the 2012-2013 academic year. Approximately $500,000 is available for Jewish students who are identified as having promise for significant contributions in their chosen careers, and are in need of financial assistance for full-time academic programs primarily in the helping professions. To be eligible a student must: be enrolling or enrolled full-time; be domiciled in the Chicago metropolitan community; establish financial need; and demonstrate career promise. The Jewish Vocational Service administers the scholarship program and personally interviews all applicants at one of its many offices throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. To apply, go to www.jvschicago.org/scholarship/. For additional information or questions, call the JVS Scholarship Secretary at 312.673.3434 or email jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org.
Nordic Law Club of Chicago Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012 - Deadline Extended
The Nordic Law Club of Chicago has been a professional and social organization for lawyers for over 70 years. The club annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to one third-year day or fourth-year evening student from each of the six area Chicago law schools. The criteria for consideration include merit, financial need and a demonstrated interest in international law issues. Interested students should submit a letter of application to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
Asian Law Student Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012
The Asian American Law Scholarship was established by alumni and friends of Chicago-Kent, including the Chinese American Bar Association, to provide financial assistance to students of Asian descent. In awarding the scholarship, the association gives preference to students planning to serve the Asian community. Selection for this $750 award is based upon demonstrated commitment to serving needs of the Asian American community (most important factor) through pro bono and/or public interest work; good standing at his or her law school; financial need; and leadership potential. Applicants must submit a current resume, an essay describing their commitment to serving the Asian American community and addressing the other criteria for the award, and submit one letter of recommendation. The recipient is selected by the Chinese American Bar Association. All application material should be submitted to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, by February 15, 2012.
The William McClain Scholarship funded by the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Bar Association
Application Deadline: February 13, 2012
The William McClain Scholarship is funded jointly by the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati (BLAC) and the Cincinnati Bar Association and awarded to a Black Cincinnati resident attending any accredited law school who demonstrates leadership potential, dedication to community, and a financial need. For additional scholarship information, please see the attached BLAC Scholarship application.
The Honorable Dean J. Sodaro Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
The Honorable Dean J. Sodaro Memorial Scholarship fund was established by Jennifer Prager Sodaro '86 in honor of her late husband Dean Sodaro '53 and has been supported by the Class of 1967, family, fellow faculty, colleagues and friends. This fund provides financial assistance to law students with need. Judge Sodaro taught part-time at Chicago-Kent while practicing law, then served on the faculty full-time from 1972 to 1990, when he was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County and appointed to the Chancery Division. The scholarship amount is $1,000 to be awarded in spring 2012.
Sodaro Memorial Scholarship Fund applications are available online or in the Office of Admissions. Students interested must submit applications to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
Gates Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
The Marvin Gates Memorial Fund provides $200 for books and supplies for a financially needy third-year student. Preference is given to students of Jewish faith and to students with demonstrated financial need and a commitment to social justice. The fund was established by Paula Gates, ‘96, in honor of her father, Marvin Gates. Mr. Gates was a professional engineer who valued education and who understood the needs of his community and those of the third world countries where he spent time during his career. To apply, applicants should forward a letter of interest, statement of financial need, and current resume to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
The Roddy Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
Joseph V. Roddy, a 1962 Chicago-Kent graduate, established this fund to provide financial assistance to evening division students currently working in law enforcement. Preference for this scholarhip is given to first year students and the award amounts range from $1500 to $3000. This scholarship will be awarded in spring 2012. To apply, applicants should forward a letter of interest and current resume to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
Kessler Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
Richard N. Kessler, `82, and his wife Lesley, established this award in honor of Rick’s parents, Morton and Shirley Kessler, who have instilled in them the importance of helping others. Morton and Shirley are role models by living their lives giving unconditional love for family, having deep faith and exhibiting a strong work ethic. The Morton and Shirley Kessler Award will be made to a continuing law student of good academic standing who has demonstrated significant need for financial assistance for law school expenses. This scholarship will be awarded in spring 2012. To apply for this $2500 scholarship, applicants should forward a letter of interest, financial statement, and current resume to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
Rubenstein Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 6, 2012
The Rubenstein Scholarship Fund was established by Jeffrey and Susan Rubenstein, two friends of the law school. Mr. Rubenstein is an adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent and a partner at the firm of Much, Shelist, Freed, Denenberg & Ament. The recipient of this scholarship will be selected based on financial need with preference given to students who are financing their law school education by working part-time jobs in the hospitality or food service industries. This scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 to be awarded in spring 2012. To apply, applicants should forward a letter of interest and current resume to the Office of Admissions, ATTN: Karla Davis, kdavis1@kentlaw.edu by January 6, 2012.
Asian American Bar Association for the Greater Chicago Area Law Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline: December 1, 2011 - Deadline Extended
The board members of the Asian American Bar Association for the Greater Chicago Area Law Foundation (“AABA Law Foundation”) and members of its scholarship committee, announce the AABA Law Foundation's scholarship program. The AABA Law Foundation was established in February 2009, and is a non-profit, charitable and educational affiliate of Asian American Bar Association ("AABA") that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
One of the goals of the AABA Law Foundation is to provide financial assistance to Asian Pacific American law students who have demonstrated academic excellence and social leadership. The AABA Law Foundation will award annual scholarships to law students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Chicago-area Asian Pacific American community, and who will continue to serve the needs of the Chicago-area Asian Pacific American communities through pro bono, public interest, and/or public service legal work in the future. This year, the AABA Law Foundation intends to award two scholarships of $2,500 each to law students who have exemplified that commitment. Click here for the 2012 application form.
The Mark T. Banner Scholarship for Law Students
Application Deadline: November 23, 2011 Deadline Extended
The Linn Inn Mark T. Banner Scholarship is a scholarship created in the name of the late Mark T. Banner, a former Linn Inn founder and Master, a leader in the field of patent law in his own right, and the son of Donald W. Banner. This scholarship is part of the Linn Inn's commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers with commitment to ethics, professionalism and civility. The scholarship is open to all students currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property law. Applicants must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills. Recipients of the scholarship will receive $5,000 payable for the fall 2012 semester. Applications are online at http://www.linninn.org/.
The South Suburban Bar Association's, Henry A. Gentile Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 16, 2011
The South Suburban Bar Association has a $1,500 scholarship available to students who meet the criteria set by the South Suburban Bar Association. To apply, students must meet the following criteria: attending an accredited local law school; be a resident of the South Suburbs of Cook County and must have a present interest to practice law in the South Suburbs; and demonstrated financial need. Students interested in applying must submit a brief resume and a cover letter (200 word maximum) indicating why they want to practice on the Southside. Cover letters and resumes must be forwarded directly to South Suburban Bar Association Scholarship Committee, attn: Daniel D. Hinich, 17926 S. Halsted St., Suite 3S. Homewood, IL 60430. Interviews will be conducted on Saturday, November 19, 2011. In order to receive the scholarship award, the student must attend the South Suburban Association Installation Dinner Dance to be held December 2, 2011.
Alumni Board Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 30, 2011
The Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors Scholarship is awarded to law students demonstrating academic merit and financial need. Applications for the 2010-2011 Scholarships are due Friday, September 30, 2011.
Recipients will be announced in early November and will be honored at the annual Alumni Awards & Recognition Luncheon on Friday, November 18, 2011.
Direct questions to Tara Anderson, Director of Alumni Relations, at (312) 906-5245.
The Black Women Lawyers' Association of Chicago Fall Book Scholarship
Application Deadline: October 21, 2011
The Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago Scholarship Committee announces the BWLA’s Fall Book Scholarship. The mission of the BWLA is to encourage and support African-American women in law, and its book scholarship is open to all students. Winners will be chosen based on their community involvement and unmet financial needs. BWLA is giving away three $1,000 scholarships. To apply, interested students must submit the attached application by October 21, 2011.
The Hellenic Bar Association Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 30, 2011
The Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois announces a scholarship available for second and third year law students of Greek descent. The scholarship application is available online at www.hellenicbar.org. All scholarship applications are due on September 30, 2011.
The McLean County Bar Association Community Service Scholarship
Application Deadline: October 14, 2011
The McLean County Bar Association (MCBA) is announcing a $1,000 scholarship for eligible second or third year law school students with strong ties to McLean County, Illinois.
To be considered, scholarship applications should be received electronically by October 14, 2011, and the recipient will be selected on or before November 11, 2011. A formal presentation will be made December 20, 2011 at the Bar Association’s annual holiday luncheon. Additional information regarding the McLean County Bar Association may be found at www.mcleancountybarassociation.com.
Applicants for the MCBA law school scholarship should demonstrate a commitment to McLean County, Bloomington-Normal and/or its surrounding communities through residency in the county, through academic ties to local schools or through past or future employment. Prime candidates will express and demonstrate a commitment to legal aid work, pro bono activities and/or community service. Applications should be emailed to
judge.fitzgerald@mcleancountyil.gov.
Diversity Scholarship Foundation NFP Scholarship Opportunities
Application Deadline: September 15, 2011
Since 2008, Diversity Scholarship Foundation (DSF) has awarded numerous scholarships to fuel the legal profession's diversity pipeline. This year, the DSF is pleased to announce that it has created three formal scholarships to support law students who have maintained a high GPA and are actively participating or supporting diversity related programs. To apply, applicants must submit the DSF application to Jennifer Sender at jsender@hinshawlaw.com. For more information about the organization and other resources for scholarships for diverse students, please follow this link: http://www.diversitychicago.org/dc/scholarships.
The Boone County Bar Association Law Scholarship
Application Deadline: October 1, 2011
The Boone County Bar Association has announced a new scholarship for 2011-2012. The association intends to award one $1000 scholarship to a current law student. To qualify for the scholarship, the student must meet the following criteria: must be currently attending an ABA accredited law school; a current resident of Boone County, Illinois, or a resident of Boone County, Illinois, at the time of his/her high school graduation; must fill and out and submit the scholarship application. Interested students can pick up a copy of the application in the office of admissions, suite 230.
The Serbian Bar Association of America Scholarship Program
Application Deadline: September 15, 2011 (Deadline extended)
The Serbian Bar Association of America offers four scholarships to eligible law students currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. law school. These scholarships are awarded at the annual Scholarship Gala, which will be held on October 8, 2011 in Chicago. For information regarding these scholarships, including applications, please visit the Serbian Bar Association web site at www.serbbar.org/scholarship/.
Award Archive
For a complete list of the awards that have been posted
in the 2011-12 Record, click
here. Although the application deadlines for these awards
have already passed, this information can aid you in planning
for next year by assisting you in determining the time of
year that certain awards are typically offered. You
may also access a complete list of the 2010-11 scholarship
notices by clicking here.
Important Information for 2011-12 Chicago-Kent Scholarship
Recipients
If you have been awarded a Chicago-Kent scholarship for
the 2011-12 academic year, please refer to the Scholarship
Policies from the current Student Handbook for important
information concerning your award. Please direct any
questions about your scholarship to the Office
of Admissions, Suite 230.
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