VLGS’s Swan Scholar awards support students who come to VLGS with a cause, and who want to use the power of the law to make a difference in their communities and the world. Prospective students can learn more below.
Scholarships are available for online and residential programs in:
- Animal Law and Policy (Animal Protection Policy MPP, Animal Law LLM, Juris Doctor and Master of Legal Studies with an animal law concentration)
- Food and Agricultural Law and Policy (Food and Agricultural Policy MPP, Food and Agricultural Law LLM, Juris Doctor and Master of Legal Studies with a Food and Agricultural Policy concentration)
Awards will be prioritized through the following pathways:
- Joint Degree Enrollment (JD/MPP)
Students who declare a joint degree by combining their JD with the Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Animal Protection Policy or Food and Agricultural Policy. Awards may range from partial tuition support to full coverage of the MPP portion of the joint degree. - Summer Course Participation
Students who register for summer animal law and policy or food and agricultural law and policy courses. Funding may cover individual courses or extend to broader academic plans. - Continuing Education Course Enrollment
Non-matriculating students who wish to pursue advanced education in animal protection policy or food and agricultural policy may enroll in graduate-level courses in these specialty areas free of charge, either residentially or online.
Scholarship Benefits May Include:
- Variable Scholarship/Stipend
- Conference Travel Budget
- Targeted Academic and Career Advising
- Scholar Events
- Alumni Mentorship
- Collaborative Research and Experiential Opportunities
Application Process:
- Applicants must have a completed VLGS program application on file with the Office of Admissions.
- Submit an essay (not to exceed 500 words) as outlined below and email it to admiss@vermontlaw.edu:
- Animal Law and Policy: Describe a significant law and policy challenge related to animal protection that you want to use your VLGS education to address.
- Food and Agricultural Law and Policy: Describe one significant issue or challenge in the food system caused by or related to law and policy that you hope to use your VLGS education to address.
Application Deadline and Decision Process:
- Priority deadline is March 15, 2026. Later applications will be accepted and awarded based on the availability of funds. Priority deadline recipients will be notified by April 15. Interviews may be requested. Decisions will be based on a variety of criteria including financial need, academic merit, and a demonstrated commitment to work on issues related to animal law and policy or food and agricultural law and policy.
- At a minimum, we expect degree-seeking scholarship recipients will: (1) pursue a concentration in animal law and policy or food and agricultural law and policy; and (2) enroll in the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic or Food and Agriculture Clinic, work as a research assistant with the Animal Law and Policy Institute or Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, or extern with an organization furthering animal protections through law and policy or an organization working on food system law and policy.