-
First Year Merit Scholarships
-
Fellowship Opportunities
-
First Year Endowed Scholarships
-
Endowed Scholarships for Returning Students
-
Scholarships Building to Endowment
FIRST YEAR MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Presidential and Dean's Scholarships
These are merit-based, renewable scholarships that are awarded to first-year students on the basis of predicted academic performance as measured by the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and undergraduate grade point average. The Admissions Committee will award these scholarships as admission decisions are made. No separate application is necessary. In order to renew a Presidential or Dean's scholarship, students must possess a 2.900 GPA at the end of the spring semester as calculated by the Registrar. These scholarships are renewable through the semester in which a student completes 88 law school credits.
Justice Thurgood Marshall Scholarships
Hamline University School of Law is committed to its goal of continually enhancing inclusive excellence for all students, providing a supportive educational environment that reflects the diversity of our larger community. In support of this commitment, the Admissions Committee awards renewable tuition scholarships to selected students for the purpose of increasing diversity at the Hamline University School of Law. Scholarships are awarded based on academic credentials, predicted academic promise, and demonstrated evidence of the student's efforts at building an inclusive community prior to applying to law school.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Constance L. Bakken Fellowships
Incoming students with the strongest credentials will be considered for Hamline's Fellowship Program, which supplements a Presidential or Dean's Scholarship with a research stipend. Students receiving fellowships work with a faculty member on scholarly research after completing their first academic year of law school provided they meet the renewal criteria of their Presidential or Dean's Scholarship. Students conduct research in numerous legal areas, including Business Law, Child Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, and Health Law. The stipend for Fellowship work is an additional $6,000, which is distributed evenly over the period of the Fellowship.
In early March, application invitation letters are sent to admitted applicants who were awarded a Presidential or Dean's Scholarship. Twelve Fellowships are awarded each year.
Law Library Fellowships
The Hamline University School of Law Library Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for outstanding law students who hold a masters degree in library science or are enrolled in the J.D./M.L.I.S. joint degree program, and who are interested in exploring a career in law librarianship. Fellows are awarded a $3,000 stipend each fall and spring semester (for a total of $6000 each academic year) and gain valuable experience engaging in a variety of professional duties alongside Hamline Law Library's highly skilled and dedicated full-time staff.
During the first year of law school, Law Library Fellows work ten hours per week in the library. In the second and third years, Fellows work fifteen hours per week. All Fellows participate extensively in reference work and special projects within the public services department.
The Director of the Law Library selects the recipient.
FIRST YEAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
Aaniin! Niiji Scholarship
Aaniin! Niiji is an Ojibwe greeting that when translated to English, means "Hello friend." This scholarship is awarded to an entering first year student who: is a recognized member of a Native American community, has a demonstrated need for financial assistance in order to attend the Hamline University School of Law, and has demonstrated either a high degree of collegiate academic achievement or a commitment to service that benefits Native American people. The Admissions Committee selects recipient, and no separate application is required.
Anne Marie Fairbanks (Williams) Scholarship
Established by Marilyn J. Mitsch in memory of her grandmother, this scholarship is intended to provide an annual tuition scholarship to one or more law students who are American Indian and who demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated commitment to and/or plan to serve the American Indian community after completing their law degree. The Admissions Committee selects recipient, and no separate application is required.
Douglas J. McFarland Scholarship
Awarded to a first year student from South Dakota who has demonstrated academic promise. The Admissions Committee selects recipient, and no separate application is required.
Edwin J. Butterfoss Scholarship
Awarded annually to a first year student whose presence will enhance the diversity of the first year class. Preference will be given to students who enhance the racial or ethnic diversity of the class, or who belong to groups historically underrepresented in law schools and the legal profession, and who have overcome economic or other obstacles and/or demonstrated outstanding leadership or service to their community. The Admissions Committee selects recipient, and no separate application is required.
Judge Kenneth G. Brill Scholarship
Awarded to a first-year student on the basis of financial need and demonstrated superiority in scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and character. Amount varies. The Admissions Committee selects recipient, and no separate application is required.
Leonard, Street, and Deinard Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student of color in the entering first year class who possesses high academic promise, as demonstrated by undergraduate grade point average, score on the Law School Admissions Test, and academic record in graduate or professional school education (where applicable), demonstrated leadership skills and performance, demonstrated connection to the State of Minnesota, demonstrated service to the community, and demonstrated or stated commitment or desire to pursue the private practice of law in the State of Minnesota upon graduation from Hamline.
In early March, application invitation letters are sent to admitted applicants who are students of color.
Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Minority Scholarship
Awarded annually to enhance diversity and ease the financial transition of a first year student of color who has demonstrated leadership skills, academic promise, and financial need.
In early March, application invitation letters are sent to admitted applicants who are students of color.
Wendy J. Watson Scholarship
This is a full tuition scholarship awarded to an entering non-traditional female student who has significant outside obligations. In March, application invitation letters are sent to female admitted applicants.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RETURNING STUDENTS
Robert Harris Atkins Scholarship
Awarded annually to a law school student with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students with an interest in environmental law, environmental and consumer protection, or, if no student with these interests is identified, to a student who has demonstrated an interest in protecting the civil liberties of all individuals.
John C. & Edna Server Benson Scholarship
Mary Benson Davison, daughter of John Benson and Edna Server Benson (1911 graduates from the Hamline University College of Liberal Arts), made this gift in her parents’ memory and in honor of Hamline’s 150th anniversary in 2004. John Benson was a founding partner of the Minneapolis Law Firm, Faegre and Benson, which is now one of the 100 largest law firms in the United States. The purpose of the fund is to provide an annual tuition scholarship to one or more students in the School of Law who are in good academic standing.
Elsie Leavitt Blackhurst Public Service Scholarship
A $1500 scholarship awarded to a female student with demonstrated commitment to public service as a lawyer who is planning a career in public service. Applicants must have a 2.500 cumulative law school grade average. Financial need will be considered.
Susan Berne Bonine Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student with demonstrated financial need who completed the first year of law school in the top 15% of the class. Preference is given to students who enrolled in law school after one or more years of post-college experience.
Dorsey & Whitney Scholarship
Scholarships awarded to students with demonstrated high academic achievement at HUSL and a commitment to excellence in extracurricular activities.
John S. Evans Scholarship
Three $2500 scholarships awarded to students who have demonstrated academic in Agricultural Law courses or a student who intends to practice law in a rural community.
Joseph P. Gatto IV Scholarship
Established by Paul J. Gatto JD ’76 and his wife Catherine, in memory of Paul’s cousin, J.P. Gatto IV, who died in an auto accident in 2003 at the age of four. This scholarship supports law students who are interested in children’s issues and child advocacy.
James A./Pauline M. Hall & Hershell R./Ruth Ann Page Scholarship
Created by Sharon L. Hall JD ’79 and James M. Page JD ’80 to provide scholarship support for one or more students who demonstrate financial need.
Intellectual Property Programs Endowment
This endowed fund was created to provide annual support for moot court teams, the legal clinic, and other programs and events in the Intellectual Property area of the law. The funds will be distributed at the discretion of the Dean of the Law School.
Latino Law Student Association Scholarship
Established by the Latino Law Student Association in 2005. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to a Hamline University School of Law Hispanic/Latino/a student, based on merit and financial need.
Law Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Alumni Board to assist second and third year students in recognition of service and academic achievement.
Law Faculty Scholarship
Established by School of Law faculty to support students on the basis of financial need.
Robert L. Levine Scholarship
One $3500 scholarship awarded to a student who has excelled at HUSL despite entering with a low undergraduate grade point average and low LSAT score. Financial need will be considered.
Nelson Mandela Scholarship
Awarded annually to a student who is from South Africa or Africa, or a student who embodies the ideals of love and forgiveness exemplified by Nelson Mandela.
Gregg E. Meyers Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student with demonstrated financial need and who completed the first year in the top 15% of the class. Preference is given to students who enrolled in law school after one or more years of post-college experience.
Dwight D. Opperman Scholarship
Awarded to a second year law student who is ranked in the top ten percent of the class who did not receive a merit-based scholarship during his or her first year of law school.
Justice James C. Otis, Jr. Memorial Public Service Scholarship
Established by Gwen Lerner JD ’78 and her husband Dr. Irving Lerner. This scholarship honors Justice Otis, a mentor and friend to Gwen, and supports law students who demonstrate integrity, respect for the law, and belief in public service as exemplified by Justice Otis.
Justice James C. Otis, Jr. Minority Scholarship
This scholarship was established to support one or more ethnic minority students in order to enhance diversity and assist students of color who demonstrate a commitment to serving their communities.
Rider Bennett Alumni Scholarship
This fund was established by Hamline University School of Law Alumni at Rider Bennett. The purpose of the fund is to provide one or more annual scholarships to 2L students who ranked in the top 25% of their class at the end of their first year and have demonstrated skill in both legal writing and oral advocacy.
Robert J. Sheran Litigation and Practice Scholarship
Two $4500 scholarships awarded to students with a grade of B or higher in the Litigation Practice Course and demonstrated abilities in advocacy or litigation (i.e. Moot Court, Practicums, or Clinics).
Amy Silberberg Scholarship
This scholarship fund provides annual tuition to one or more 2L students in the school of law who are in good academic standing and committed to the fields of child advocacy or family law, and have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership in support of the well-being of children.
Student Bar Association Scholarships
Two one-third tuition scholarships awarded for outstanding participation in extraneous civic or community service related activities.
Student Bar Association Diversity Scholarship
A one-third tuition scholarship awarded to a student of color with outstanding participation in School of Law student government related activities, or in extraneous civic or community service related activities.
Teddy Morrow Wimer Scholarship
The purpose of The Teddy Morrow Wimer Scholarship Fund is to provide an annual tuition scholarship to one or more students in the School of Law who meet the following criteria: (1) financial need, (2) from a single parent home.
The Honorable James A. Wright Scholarship
One $2000 scholarship awarded to a student who is a North Dakota resident with a demonstrated strong interest in trial practice, whose conduct exhibits a high level of integrity and civility.
SCHOLARSHIPS BUILDING TO ENDOWMENT
Hamline Law Review Scholarship
Initiated in 2002 by former Hamline Law Review editors, the scholarship will provide financial assistance for Law Review editors, with initial awards to those groups of editors not receiving financial support from the law school for this service.
Joyce A. Traynor Endowment Fund
The purpose of the Joyce A. Traynor Endowment Fund is to provide annual support for services and other essential learning aids and assistive technology utilized by students with disabilities during their attendance in the School of Law and/or to provide annual scholarships to one or more students with disabilities.
Veterans' Endowment Fund
The goal of this fund is to establish an annual merit-based scholarship to assist a worthy Veteran pay for his or her legal education.