These awards are based on academic achievement. Renewal for the second and third year of merit tuition scholarships requires that the scholarship recipient remain in good academic and professional standing at the College of Law. For more information on good academic standing, view the student handbook. Good professional standing requires ethical and responsible conduct as a member of the law school community in accordance with University and law school policies, including compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. For complete details see the University of Iowa Code of Student Life and the College of Law Student Handbook.

Iowa Law enjoys a robust scholarship program, thanks in part to the generosity of our alumni and friends through the Iowa Law School Foundation. During the academic year, we will provide you with more details about the people and funds behind your scholarship. You will be asked to write a letter of thanks to the donors responsible for your scholarship. We will work with you to coordinate that effort during your time at Iowa Law.

The College of Law is committed to affording opportunities for legal careers to persons historically underrepresented in the legal profession.  The Law Opportunity Tuition Fellowship Program was established by the University to provide access to law school for such individuals. Among the criteria considered in awarding the fellowships are educationally and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and academic merit. Renewal for the second and third year requires that the fellowship recipient remain in good academic and professional standing at the College of Law.  For more information on good academic standing, view the student handbook. Good professional standing requires ethical and responsible conduct as a member of the law school community in accordance with University and law school policies, including compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. For complete details see the University of Iowa Code of Student Life and the College of Law Student Handbook.

ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

The scholarship fund will award $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. Twenty awards will be made to first-year students and may be renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000 during each student's time in law school. For more information and to apply,  visit ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund.

AccessLex® Law School Scholarship Databank

The AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping talented, purpose-driven students find their path from aspiring lawyer to fulfilled professional. They provide a variety of programs for law students like bar prep and financial education among other topics. AccessLex has a scholarship database, called the Scholarship Databank, that has over 800 vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions for law students. You can search them here. The College of Law does not control these funds. Be aware of requirements and deadlines as they may vary.  For more information about the database, visit the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.

The Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) summer stipend program has been in existence for more than 15 years. This summer stipend program is intended to help current students contribute their time and legal skills in their summer breaks to people who normally would not have access to legal advocacy. The Iowa Law School Foundation matches the funds raised each year by the EJF students through book sales, a law school auction, a chili cook-off and LawLawPalooza. The selection process and applications are handled by EJF. For details, see the Summer Grants web page.

The Public Interest Summer Internship Class of 1998 Fund was established by the Class of 1998 to support students who pursue summer internships at public interest organizations. Recipients must be currently enrolled law students and must demonstrate procurement of summer employment in public interest law, an area that includes Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) entities, government agencies, and advocacy groups. Projected summer employment compensation must be either low or unpaid. The applicant’s level of need and the intensity of commitment to public interest law are the primary criteria for selection. Academic achievement will not be considered a factor. A committee of faculty and staff selects recipients. For details, see the Summer Grants web page.

The Public Interest Law Award (see Public Interest Law Award Application) was established in 1988 by the classes of 1987 and 1988 to honor and support law school graduates who choose to enter the field of public interest law. Eligible recipients must have more than $5,000 in student loan debt and demonstrate the procurement of employment in public interest law, an area that includes but is not limited to legal assistance groups, public defenders offices, special interest and minority group advocates, and civil liberties unions. The recipient's starting and projected average annual salary derived from the employment described above must be less than 125 percent of the "standard maintenance allowance (SMA)." Recipients are selected by a committee comprised of a member of the establishing class, faculty and staff. Applications are made the summer after graduation.

Public Interest Law Foundation Grant (see Public Interest Law Foundation Grant Application) was established to encourage and support students engaged in public interest legal work, in 1995 the Iowa Law Foundation Board, at the recommendation of students and faculty, agreed that $20,000 of annual spendable earnings from non-restricted endowed scholarship accounts be awarded in the form of grants to 3-5 third-year students. The recipients must have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing public interest work and have substantial indebtedness from student loans. A committee of faculty and staff selects recipients.