Vermont Law and Graduate School Scholar Awards

Recipients are selected based on their merit, academic promise, leadership strengths, and a commitment to service. This renewable scholarship is awarded to new incoming students or transfer students for all degree programs. Award recipients must maintain a Vermont Law and Graduate School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and remain in good academic standing.

Degrees Applicable

All On-campus Degree Programs and the Online Hybrid JD Program

Application Process

All accepted applicants are considered for Vermont Law and Graduate Scholar awards. No separate application form is necessary.

Decision Process

Award decisions are mailed with the Admission Packet on a rolling basis beginning in January.

Criteria for Retaining Renewable Scholarships

Juris Doctor Awards

• Award amounts are divided equally based on program year
• Awards apply to the JD portion only of any joint degree
• Traditional JD- Annual award amounts are divided between fall and spring semesters and renewable up to three years
• Accelerated JD*- Award amounts are divided equally between two semesters of the six semester program and are renewable every two semesters
• Extended JD- Applicants that plan to enroll in four-year extended track pay 80% of the published tuition fees for each of the four years and receive 80% of their scholarship funding each year
• Online Hybrid JD – Award amounts are divided equally over the 10 semesters
• Must maintain full-time enrollment
• Must maintain a Vermont Law School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

*This scholarship is for the Accelerated Juris Doctor program. Students admitted into the Fall start AJD are required to have a 3.0 VLGS GPA at the end of the Fall semester to continue in the AJD program. Summer Start Honors student do not have a GPA requirement to continue in the program. Students who decelerate from the AJD program will have their scholarship reallocated based on the new JD program.

Masters and LLM Awards (one-year programs)

• Renewable semester to semester
• Must maintain full-time enrollment
• Must maintain the required Vermont Law and Graduate School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Award amounts are divided equally over all semesters based upon program

Mission Scholarships

VLGS's Mission Scholarships 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. Mission Scholarships are available to students pursuing careers in public service/social justice, and environmental stewardship—the core values of the Vermont Law and Graduate School education. The scholarship aims to provide not only financial support to students, but to offer mentoring and research opportunities in the student's chosen field. Meet the current Environmental Mission Scholars, Social Justice Mission Scholars.

Scholarship Benefits

• $3,000 Public Service Internship Stipend
• Targeted Academic Advising
• Scholar Dinners and Events
• Alumni mentorship
• Collaborative Research, Clinical, and Networking Opportunities:
  • Environmental Track: Present a cutting-edge environmental research paper as part of the Environmental Law Center Public Lecture Series; priority access to our six environmental law centers
  • Social Justice Track: Leadership roles in pro bono legal service and projects

Degrees Applicable

All On-campus JD Degree Programs

Application Process

• Applicants should submit an additional scholarship essay not exceeding 800 words with their completed JD application via LSAC.org. If an applicant would like to be considered after submitting a completed application, the scholarship essay can be sent via email to admiss@vermontlaw.edu.
  • Environmental Stewardship:
    Discuss your environmental commitment and goals for using a law degree in environmental advocacy, the experiences that have most significantly influenced your goals, or any other points relevant to your qualification for the scholarship.
  • Social Justice:
    Discuss your history of public service and connect that service to what you hope to do as a lawyer. Include in the essay what in your life has led you to the decision to pursue the public interest service you identify and what you anticipate will be greatest challenges and rewards.

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline March 15. Later applications will be accepted and awarded based on funds availability.

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Scholarship materials may be uploaded with your JD application or emailed to Admissions at admiss@vermontlaw.edu. Priority deadline recipients will be notified by April 15. Interviews may be requested.

Note: Applicants elect one track only. Multiple submissions will not be accepted.

Need Based Scholarships

Vermont Law and Graduate School funds a number of scholarships for students who meet specific criteria for financial need. For consideration, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA may still complete the application form to be considered for need-based scholarship assistance.

Degrees Applicable

All On-campus Degree Programs

Application Process

• Submit your FAFSA at www.FAFSA.gov
• Please respond to your financial aid award notification email to request consideration for need-based aid.

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline April 3. Later applications will be accepted and awarded based on funds availability.

Decision Process

The Financial Aid office will notify you of your need-based award beginning late January.

First Nations Scholarship

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to supporting indigenous peoples, including the Abenaki communities in Vermont. The First Nations scholarship is available to Citizens of State and Federally Recognized tribes. Among other programs, the faculty of Vermont Law and Graduate School can help students to fashion individualized educational experiences in the field.

The purpose of the scholarship is to enable indigenous students to pursue careers in any of the many programs offered by Vermont Law and Graduate School, including JD legal degrees within the Law School and master’s degrees offered by the Graduate School and its School for the Environment and the Center for Justice Reform.

Scholarship Benefits

The First Nations Scholarship provides full and/or partial tuition scholarships to one or more candidates admitted to the JD, Master’s or LLM degrees each year.

Degrees Applicable

All On-campus JD, Master's and LLM Degrees (JD, MAPP, MARJ, MCEP, MERL, MFALP, LLM in Energy Law, LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in Food and Agriculture Law).

Application Process

• Completed Application for the appropriate degree program.
• Additional statement describing their qualifications, experience, and commitment to public service germane to indigenous communities.

Application Deadline

May 15 (may be extended by permission)

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions.

NCORJ Scholarship

The National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) funds five (5) full-tuition scholarships to receive a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice. The NCORJ is a federally funded collaboration between Vermont Law and Graduate School, the University of Vermont, the University of San Diego, and the US Office of Justice Programs focused on improving criminal justice policy and practice in the United States.

Scholarship Benefits

Full-tuition award. Scholarship recipients are responsible to pay for any additional fees and cost of books.

Degrees Applicable

Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice

Application Process

Note: Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree by the time of their enrolling in the PCRJ program.

• Submit your completed Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice application. Click here for instructions on how to apply.
• Submit the scholarship application to include short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your interest and commitment to improving the justice system, and the experiences that have most significantly influenced those goals.

Application Deadline

June 30th

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. The National Center on Restorative Justice will notify applicants by July 28th whether they have been awarded the scholarship.

Adirondack Foundation Restorative Justice Scholarship

The Adirondack Foundation Restorative Justice Scholarship funds tuition for a year-round resident of the Adirondacks, or adjacent north country, to earn a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice through the Vermont Law and Graduate School Center for Justice Reform. This scholarship covers tuition but does not include funding for fees or books. Restorative justice creates less punitive responses to harm and builds and strengthens communities and organizations through relational practices and inclusive participation. Restorative justice practices are expanding in the criminal justice, child protection, and educational fields. The Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice is available fully online or residentially. A strong priority will be given to applications from first-generation college graduates with an interest in working in justice systems, education, or with underserved populations.

The scholarship recipient will have two years to complete the three course, nine credit certificate program. Credits earned for the certificate may be transferred to the 30 credit Master of Arts in Restorative Justice. The recipient will be asked to make a presentation upon completion of the Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice and may be featured in publications by Vermont Law and Graduate School or the Adirondack Foundation.

Degrees Applicable

Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice

Application Process

• Submit your completed Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice application. Click here for instructions on how to apply.
• Submit a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses applicant's interest and commitment to improving the justice system, and the experiences that have most significantly influenced those goals. Then, email your scholarship essay to admiss@vermontlaw.edu

Application Deadline

July 15th

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Scholarship offers are expected to be made by August 10.

Environmental Law Center
International Scholarship

The ELC International Scholarship is awarded to one or more international LLM or Masters candidates each year. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide international students who are not eligible for financial aid in the United States the opportunity to study environmental law at Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Scholarship Benefits

Partial to full-tuition award depending on how many candidates are offered the scholarship.

Degrees Applicable

All On-campus Environmental Masters and LLM Degrees (MCEP, MAPP, MERL, MFALP, LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in Food and Agriculture Law, LLM in Energy Law).

Application Process

Applicants for the ELC International Scholarship must submit:

• Completed Masters or LLM application
• Additional statement describing their qualifications, experience, and financial need

Application Deadline

May 1st

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Priority deadline recipients will be notified by May 15th. Interviews may be requested.

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. The Environmental Law Center will notify applicants in early May whether they have been awarded the scholarship and the amount of the award.

Online Learning Student Scholarships

Vermont Law School offers limited Master's and LLM scholarships to our online degree students. The awards are based on academic abilities, achievements, leadership potential, and financial need. Scholarships are awarded to students who matriculate in the term the scholarship is offered. Deferred enrollment forfeits the scholarships award. Scholarships are awarded based on the 5-semester program, split between each term, and applied directly towards tuition. To retain the scholarship, students must successfully complete their first term and remain in good academic standing throughout the program. Scholarships are not offered every term and subject to funds availability. Please contact your enrollment advisor for more information or email admiss@vermontlaw.edu.