College of Law Scholarships

 Merit-on-Entrance Scholarships
The S.J. Quinney College of Law merit-on-entrance scholarship program includes awards ranging from $9,581 to $47,580.  All admitted S.J. Quinney College of Law applicants are considered for merit-on-entrance scholarship awards.  The scholarship award decisions are based on contents of the applicants’ admission files with emphasis placed on the academic record–including LSAT scores and undergraduate cumulative GPA. 95% of the 2024 entering class received a merit-on-entrance scholarship, and the average award for the year was $29,000.

 Second- and Third-Year Scholarships
For 2L and 3L students, the S.J. College of Law offers merit-based scholarships and awards.  These scholarships and awards are given to students in recognition of academic excellence or demonstrated interest and/or achievement in a specific area of law.  For more information, visit our fellowships, scholarships, and awards page.

 Need-Based Scholarships
The S.J. Quinney College of Law administers a need-based scholarship program that assists students who demonstrate substantiated need that is not otherwise met by available loans, fellowships, scholarships, or other financial support. In rendering decisions, the S.J. Quinney College of Law considers the estimated family contribution (EFC) as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), federal student loan eligibility, and other factors– including scholarships received, family support, and/or military benefits.  The application for need-based scholarships is made available after admission for entering students.

Federal Student Loans

The University of Utah Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (UOFA) administers the student loan packaging process.  The university participates in the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs.  To be considered for this financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA each academic year. This application becomes available each year on October 1. The University of Utah Title IV school code necessary to complete the FAFSA form is 003675 .

UOFA automatically considers law students for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan as part of their student loan packaging. Most students may be eligible for the full Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount of $20,500 per academic year. Law students may also apply for Direct Graduate PLUS loan in an amount up to the remaining COA minus any other loan and scholarship support. For loan consideration, students must apply for loans each academic year. For more information on the university’s financial aid resources, visit the University of Utah Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid page. You may also contact our UOFA program manager, Shana Yem at Shana.Yem@utah.edu.

 Other Financial Support

 Research Fellowship Positions
Research Fellowships provide recipients with the opportunity to work closely with a member of the faculty on a range of exciting research, writing, and service projects. Students receive an excellent educational experience, generous compensation, and a partial tuition waiver.  There are a limited number of these positions. Fellows must work approximately 150 hours per semester (roughly 10 hours/week) and should be prepared to make a firm commitment to that level of time and effort.  The application process for open Research Fellowship positions occurs during the spring semester, and summer contingent on funding.

Research Assistant Positions
There are opportunities for students to work as research assistants for faculty. Research assistants are paid $15.00 per hour.  Individual faculty make their own hiring decisions regarding research assistants.

Summer Public Interest Fellowships
The S.J. Quinney College of Law offers a limited number of summer public interest fellowships to support students working in unpaid or underfunded positions. Information in these fellowships can be found on the fellowships, scholarships, and awards page.