Giving to Scholarship Funds
Now more than ever, your support of scholarships can have a profound impact on USD School of Law. Scholarships at USD School of Law can be the deciding factor for prospective and current students, as well as play an integral role in improving the national reach and reputation of the law school. This year, the law school is tasked with raising $500,000 of additional scholarship support from alumni and friends. Collectively, this critical funding will strengthen the law school through attracting the highest quality students to San Diego, retaining the top talent and providing them with the experience necessary to attain jobs after graduation. With thanks to the leadership of the Board of Visitors, USD School of Law has launched a special fundraising initiative that has three vital parts:
- Alumni Honor Scholarships (for 1Ls) – $250,000 per year
- To increase yield of top students
- To assist students with greater financial needs
- To improve the quality and increase the diversity of our students
- Alumni Summer Legal Work Grants – $100,000 per year
- To support students who take non-paying summer legal jobs
- Goal is to support 20 more students with $5,000 grants
- To provide work experience that will increase chances of successful job placement after graduation
- Alumni Leadership Scholarships (for 2Ls) – $150,000 per year
- To retain top students who might otherwise transfer
- To reward those who show potential for leadership
- To support leaders whose careers are likely to enhance our reputation
With additional scholarship support in each of these three areas, USD School of Law will be well positioned to build the reputation of the law school and gain recognition for the high quality of the faculty and curriculum, the success of the students and the achievements of the alumni.
You also have the option of creating your own scholarship fund or giving to an existing USD School of Law scholarship fund. Some of the most popular are listed below.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
This program provides grants for USD law alumni practicing in public interest law to reduce student loan indebtedness. The importance of public interest law cannot be overstated. Many interests worthy and in need of protection—including those of the poor, the environment, and children, among many others—are underrepresented in our legal system. Public interest lawyers working for legal services and other nonprofit organizations ensure that these interests have access to representation in our legal system. However, as law school tuition and accompanying debt burden increase across the nation, most law graduates are precluded from choosing public interest law as a career. Through LRAP, the law school hopes to make careers in public interest law more financially feasible for its graduates. Grants ranging from $2,000 - $5,000 are available to award each year to public interest lawyers because of the generosity of alumni, students, faculty and friends. Your gift to the Loan Repayment Assistance Program helps USD law school alumni reduce the potentially crippling burden of student debt.
Lawrence Drew Mahlum Memorial Scholarship Fund
To perpetuate the memory of their friend and classmate, the graduating class of 2008 established the Lawrence Drew Mahlum Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was supported through the Graduating Class Gift Campaign, by friends and family of Larry, and by the law school community at large.
Christopher Ross McCallister Memorial Scholarship Fund
To perpetuate the memory of their friend and classmate, the Graduating Class of 2007 established the Christopher Ross McCallister Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was supported through the Graduating Class Gift Campaign, by friends and family of Chris, and by the law school community at large.
Establish Your Own Scholarship Fund
With a gift of $5,000 or more, you can establish and name your own annual scholarship fund.
By investing in scholarships, you are making an impact on current and future students, as well as the future of USD School of Law.
For more information about giving to the law school's scholarship funds or about starting your own scholarship, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (619) 260-4692.
