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, and all admitted applicants are considered for these awards. The scholarship award decisions are based on the applicants’ admission files with emphasis placed on the academic record, including LSAT scores and undergraduate cumulative GPA. Ninety-five percent 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 to recognize 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
Utah Law administers a need-based scholarship program for students who demonstrate substantiated need not otherwise met by available loans, fellowships, scholarships, or other financial support. In rendering decisions, the 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 and participates in the federal direct unsubsidized loan and federal direct graduate PLUS loan programs. To be considered for this financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA each academic year (the application is available annually on Oct. 1). Use the Title IV code 003675 to complete the FAFSA form.

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 up to the remaining cost of admission minus any other loan and scholarship support. 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 or contact UOFA Program Manager Shana Yem.

Other financial support

Research fellowship positions
Research fellowships allow recipients to work closely with a faculty member 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 positions available. Fellows must work about 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 opens during the spring semester and summer, contingent on funding.

Research assistant positions
Students can also work as research assistants for faculty members and are paid $15 per hour. Individual faculty members make their own hiring decisions about 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. Learn more on the fellowships, scholarships, and awards page.