Nearly 95% of Utah Law students received scholarships or fellowship awards in 2023-2024, part of the College of Law’s commitment to providing generous financial assistance. While our admissions team considers all admitted candidates for merit-on-entrance scholarships based on their law school applications, we also award second- and third-year students fellowships and scholarships
Below are several financial aid opportunities available for S.J. Quinney College of Law students.
Alexander Zeev Guiora Bystander Initiative Award
Students who work for and demonstrate commitment to Utah Law’s Bystander Initiative, which focuses on the role of bystanders and enablers in sexual assaults, can apply for the Alexander Zeev Guiora Bystander Initiative Award. This new award funds a research assistantship for up to 300 hours of work per year and a scholarship to help offset the cost of tuition.
“We joke that once you get involved with the Bystander Initiative, you always want to continue working on it. Although we deal with tough material because it involves horrible crimes committed against people, it makes it easier knowing that we are shedding light on a topic that most people do not think about,” says Anna Hall. “I will forever be grateful to Professor Guiora for asking me to be one of his research assistants and for giving me the honor of being the first recipient of the Alexander Zeev Guiora Bystander Initiative Award.”
Arc to Justice Fellowship
Each year, the Arc to Justice program recognizes two high-achieving members of the incoming JD class who have overcome significant obstacles and awards them with full-tuition scholarships. Arc fellows also receive additional mentoring and summer employment opportunities after their 1L year.
“I was ecstatic about the Arc Fellowship, but I think my family was even more excited than I was,” says Jesus Salazar. “My abuelita, who came from Mexico to the United States in her thirties, missed out on many important family events to make a better life for our family. When I got into law school and received this fellowship, she said all of the sacrifices she went through were worth it.”
“This award embodies my hard work, passion, and commitment to public service. I also feel honored that S.J. Quinney values my potential, community-oriented perspective, and strong desire to use my law degree to increase access to justice. Additionally, I look forward to interacting with the law firm partners supporting this program and expressing my heartfelt gratitude,” says Valeria Jimenez. “With the Arc to Justice program, I can confidently pursue a legal education, gain access to additional mentoring support, and become the first person in my family to earn a law degree.”
“Receiving the Arc to Justice award is both an honor and a profound recognition of my work and experiences. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be acknowledged with this esteemed fellowship. The award resonates deeply with my lived experiences and professional journey, reflecting the values and dedication that have guided my previous efforts,” says Brock Smith. “Further, I hope to embody the ethos of the Arc to Justice in my future endeavors and serve the community in some capacity throughout my career.”
Dee Benson Memorial Scholarship
Utah Law students can apply for the Dee Benson Memorial Scholarship, which honors the late Judge Dee Benson, who taught as an adjunct professor at the College of Law for many years.
“Judge Benson was a respected judge who served on the bench for over three decades. He was known for his impartiality and commitment to upholding the rule of law and embodied public service,” recalls Molly Hemenway. “Receiving this scholarship serves as a reminder of the values I aspire to uphold in my legal career.”
Durham Fellowship
At the beginning of each school year, the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) awards the Durham Fellowship (named for former Utah Supreme Court Judge Christine Durham) to one student from each of Utah’s two law schools. Recipients must show a demonstrated commitment to furthering the cause of justice, equity, and inclusiveness in Utah’s legal profession.
The fellowship includes a stipend students can use toward tuition, housing, and living expenses, and fellows partner with UCLI staff and committees to improve law school programs and scholarships.
Aliza Murad was named a Durham Fellow for the 2024-2025 school year. Murad is a Pakistani American immigrant who came to the U.S. at age 10, and her experiences shaped her commitment to service, access, and community engagement. She is actively involved in the Minority Law Caucus, the Student Litigation Society, and the Social Justice Initiative and was elected vice president of both the Minority Law Caucus and the Federal Bar Association.
Amy Nichole Briceno received the Durham Fellowship in 2022. Briceno interned with the District Attorney’s Office, working with Spanish-speaking families experiencing abuse. Throughout this internship, she saw the need for more Spanish-speaking prosecutors as she translated for attorneys. Briceno also worked with undocumented families who feared deportation because they could not afford legal representation.
Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship
The Beatrice F. Kroesche Foundation Scholarship honors 1983 alum Beatrice F. Kroesche, who graduated from law school as a single mother despite significant hearing and sight limitations. Students who are single parents and/or face physical challenges are encouraged to apply for the award.
“I plan to use my legal career to inspire progressive public policy for Utah’s ethnic communities. After graduating law school, my career aspiration is to work in government and public policy as a social justice and civil rights representative. I am eager to join those in Utah making extraordinary progress in addressing the challenging issues and discrimination throughout the state,” says Paulina Barboza. “I enjoy spending every minute I am not studying or attending class with my 6-year-old son, Mateo Gabriel.
Flora Sombrero/Neeta Lind Diné (Navajo) Law Scholarship Fund
Utah Law alum Jeffrey Fillerup and his wife, Neeta Lind, established the Flora Sombrero/Neeta Lind Diné (Navajo) Law Scholarship Fund to help Diné students attend local colleges on or near the Diné Nation.
“I am thankful to be a recipient of the Flora Sombrero and Neeta Lind Diné Law Scholarship, which has allowed me to pursue my dreams of becoming a lawyer,” says Shyanne Blackburn. “I decided to pursue law school because I want to be a cycle breaker. Growing up with a single mother who didn’t have the opportunity to graduate high school, but worked tirelessly to ensure I could have a better future, continues to drive me to be a dedicated student and eventually the best lawyer I can be.”
Edward D. & Carol J. Spurgeon Public Service Summer Fellowship
Students who have demonstrated commitment to public service can apply for the Spurgeon Fellowship, which provides a stipend to pursue a proposed public service project or placement in a low-paying or non-paying public service summer job.
“It is incredible to be working at an organization that has had a very significant impact on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. I recently came across some files containing amicus briefs from Romer v. Evans (1996), a landmark case in LGBTQ+ rights, and was struck with the realization that we are truly making history here,” says Spurgeon Fellow Bree Spaulding. “Lambda Legal has been a large part of LGBTQ+ history, and it is such a privilege for me to be a small part of that history in the making.”
Learn more about the scholarships and fellowships available to Utah Law students. You can also contribute to the College of Law’s general fund to help more students in the future.