Scholarships: Indiana Law scholarship opportunities

The IU Maurer School of Law considers every applicant to our LLM and MCL programs for one of our Graduate Legal Studies scholarships, with preference given to those who meet our application priority date. Scholarship decisions are based on academic and professional merit and financial need, as well as a number of other factors, including geographic diversity and the relationship of the applicant to one of our partner institutions (see below).

Multiple scholarships may be awarded in combination, and total awards range from a few thousand dollars to 50 percent of tuition. Even without a scholarship, our overall costs are often less than you would pay elsewhere. We offer one of the best values in legal education in the United States.

Merit scholarships (LLM, MCL)

All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Qualified students are selected on the basis of academic and professional merit. Merit considerations include the student’s previous academic performance, English proficiency (if applicable), academic achievements and awards, as well as professional experience. Scholarship funds are limited, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

Need-based scholarships (LLM, MCL)

All admitted students are automatically considered for need-based aid, as demonstrated by their admission file. Need-based scholarships are awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need as described in the student’s personal statement, application, or other indicators during the application process. To be considered, your personal statement should indicate and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Diversity scholarships (LLM, MCL)

You are welcome here! Indiana Law makes every effort to broaden our incoming class and extend the reach of legal education by reaching out to and assisting underrepresented groups. Our diversity awards are for graduate law students who are a member of a diverse group, which can vary from year to year or evolve with time. Diversity awards are primarily defined by students of underrepresented origin or ethnicity, but may also be applied based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical disability, or other broadly defined diversity traits.

George P. Smith, II Fellowship (LLM, MCL)

George P. Smith, II, an internationally recognized scholar, lecturer, and professor emeritus of law, received his undergraduate and JD degrees from Indiana University. He also received an honorary doctorate in law from IU in 1998 and was inducted into the Law School’s elite Academy of Law Alumni Fellows in 2007. In 2008, a fellowship in the LLM program was created in his honor. The fellowship is available to students pursuing a Master of Laws degree (LLM) at the Maurer School of Law, with a preference for a student who is a citizen from any of the 53 countries that make up the British Commonwealth. The number of recipients and amount of scholarship funds will be determined by the school’s Scholarship Committee.

Partner institutions and organization scholarships (LLM, MCL, SJD)

We have established formal and informal partnerships with universities and higher education organizations around the world to assist graduate students in continuing their legal education at the Maurer School of Law. If you are a current or past student of one of our partner institutions or working with a partner organization such as Fulbright, IIE, EdUSA, FUNED, COLFUTURO, or others, you may be eligible for a scholarship of up to 50 percent of tuition. Because our list of partners is constantly expanding, please check with your university’s law department, or the local education organization you are working with, to inquire about an existing partnership with the Law School. If one does not exist, encourage them to reach out to us to discuss the possibilities.

Third-party fellowships and scholarships

The following third-party funding sources may also provide options for Indiana Law graduate students:

• American Association of University Women Educational Foundation
• Australian Federation of Graduate Women Inc. (AFGW)
• DAAD Scholarships for German Citizens
• Foundation Center - Has a free tutorial for students seeking scholarships
• Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)
• Fulbright Commission
• Fulbright Grants for Israeli Students
• Fulbright Grants for Students from Turkey
• Fulbright Program for Students from the Middle East and North Africa
• Fundação Estudar (Scholarships for Brazilian students)
• Indiana University’s GradGrants Center - Provides specific information about grants and scholarships available to graduate students at IU.
• Institute for International Education (IIE) Web site
• Inter-American Foundation - funds fellowships for students from Latin America and the Caribbean who have a specific interest in the issues of poverty and development
• Graduate Women International
• Japanese Association of University Women
• Kosciuszko Foundation Fellowships & Grants for Polish Citizens
• Open Society Institute
• Organization of Istanbul Armenians Scholarship
• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women
• Post Grad Solutions Study Bursaries
• World Bank Scholarship Program

Domestic student financial assistance

To qualify for federal student aid, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States (i.e. US permanent resident).
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program as a degree-seeking student
• Have repaid any financial aid for which you were not eligible.
• Have made satisfactory arrangements to pay off any defaulted student loan.