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Financing Your Legal Education

Scholarships Offered to Entering Students

Each year, a number of partial and full-tuition remission scholarships are awarded to applicants whose credentials and backgrounds suggest they are likely to enrich the life of the School of Law. All admitted applicants receive automatic scholarship consideration for all scholarships except the Public Interest Scholars Program. Typically, over 70 percent of admitted applicants are offered scholarship support. Listed below are descriptions of various scholarships offered and the criteria determined in awarding.  Please note that undergraduate students may also be eligible for some of these scholarships.

Carman Family Charitable Foundation Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Leon J. Carman, a graduate of the Western New England University School of Law, Class of 1941, and recipient of the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters in 1998 from the University; Mr. Carman's son Barry I. Carman is also a graduate of the School of Law, Class of 1993; and his son Tracy E. Carman is an alumnus of the College of Business, having earned the MBA in 1990. The members of the Carman family have been longtime generous supporters of Western New England University, donating and helping raise funds annually for the University and its School of Law.

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to employees of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, or children or dependents of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation employees. Students can be in any of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, or Law. This scholarship was established through the generosity of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation.

Constance Gleason Furcolo Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students who are pursuing degrees in business and/or law and who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship was established by the wife of former Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo in honor of his outstanding efforts to facilitate the education of worthy students.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Scholarships
The Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Scholars Program is designed for students who have demonstrated academic excellence.  These are students who typically score in the top twenty-five percent of the LSAT nationally and finish near the top of their undergraduate classes.  To be eligible for the Holmes Scholars program you must submit your application by March 1st.

Academic Scholarships
Partial tuition acdemic scholarships are awarded to admitted students who demonstrate the potential for outstanding scholarship in law school. To retain the entire scholarship, academic scholarship recipients must remain in the top 70 percent of their class.

Scholarships also are awarded to applicants who demonstrate a potential for success and who have overcome cultural, economic, societal, physical, or educational obstacles. These scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Admissions Committee and are renewable provided recipients remain in good academic standing.

Marjorie Sullivan Scholarship
This is an endowed scholarship fund that makes awards to applicants who have demonstrated unusual determination in overcoming obstacles in order to pursue a legal education. This scholarship is a one time award, is not renewable and is awarded at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Public Interest Law Scholarships
The Public Interest Scholars Program is designed  for students who are committed to pursuing careers in Public Interest law.  Each year the School of Law awards significant tuition scholarships and one-time $3,500 summer stipends for qualifying public interest experiences to six entering students.  These students are assigned faculty advisers to mentor them in course selection, clinical and externship options, and career paths.  To become a public interest scholar, a student must submit an essay addressing his or her interest in and qualifications for entering the Public Interest Scholars program.  The deadline for Public Interest Scholarship applications is March 1st. To apply to the Public Interest Law Scholarship program, click here.

The Center for Gender and Sexuality Studies Scholarship
The Center for Gender and Sexuality Studies serves as a focal point for work in a broad number of areas relating to gender and sexuality, ranging from civil rights issues affecting women and sexual minorities to feminist and queer theory.  The Center works to engage with the legal community, with the University, and with members of the School of Law on core issues of gender and sexuality across a broad spectrum of law, including criminal law, immigration, employment, family law, health law, discrimination, prisoners’ rights, legislation, leadership and business and international and comparative law.  To be considered for the Center for Gender and Sexuality Studies Scholarship, you must submit a statement of interest explain why you believe you are a good choice for the scholarship program.

The Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs Scholarship
The Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs offers students the opportunity to participate in activities relating to the legislative process.  Through participation in the Institute, students engage in the practical application of law by assisting public officials in drafting legislation, exploring the codification and progressive development of laws, and examining recently enacted bills.  To be considered for the Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs Scholarship, you must submit a statement of interest explain why you believe you are a good choice for the scholarship program.

The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Scholarship
The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is a resource for small business development in the Pioneer Valley region.  Combining the resources of the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering and Pharmacy and the School of Law, the Center offers personal, professional assistance to entrepreneurs in the business start-up stage, free of charge through the Small Business Clinic and numerous community outreach events.  To be considered for the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Scholarship, you must submit a statement of interest explain why you believe you are a good choice for the scholarship program.

Scholarships Awarded to Returning Students

A number of named scholarships are awarded to returning law students each year. The following list is not exhaustive and may change at any time. The awards and criteria are as follows:

John J. O’Connor Scholarship
A scholarship based on financial need is awarded to incoming or returning law students with preference given to students with disabilities. The scholarship fund was established in memory of John J. O’Connor, former acting dean of the School of Law and Professor of Law from 1963 until 1987.

Katherine M. Connell Scholarship
Scholarship assistance is granted to law students in financial need with preference given to students who graduated from high schools in Hampden County, Massachusetts. Miss Connell lived in Springfield and was for 32 years the first assistant registrar for the Hampden County Probate Court.

Frank Stanley Beveridge Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students from the Massachusetts counties of Hampden or Hampshire who have demonstrated financial need. The endowed scholarship is made possible by a contribution from The Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, Inc., a private family foundation directed by the family and descendants of the late Frank Stanley Beveridge, founder of Stanley Home Products, Inc. Through the years, the Foundation has been a generous supporter of Western New England University. Joseph Beveridge Palmer, a director of the Foundation, is a 1967 graduate of the University.

Catherine J. Jones Endowed Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship is awarded to a student entering his or her final year of law school who has demonstrated financial need and has solid academic skills. There is a preference for students who have demonstrated a strong interest in ethical decision-making issues that arise in the area of health law.

Dorothy F. Sheehan Scholarship
An award based on academic merit to a female applicant who has interrupted her education and is seeking to enter the School of Law. Preference is given to any woman who interrupted her education after college for marriage, child rearing, starting work, moving to a different location, or economic reasons. This scholarship was established by Mrs. Beatrice S. Nelen.

David Nelson Case Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship is awarded annually to a part-time student who has completed at least two years of study. The recipient must be employed on a full-time basis, have a financial need, and rank in the upper half of the class. Established in memory of David N. Case, Class of 1980, by his family.

Law Alumni Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to returning law students who have demonstrated academic ability and have financial need. Funds supporting these scholarships have been donated by the School of Law alumni.

John M. P. O’Malley Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a third-year evening student who has demonstrated academic excellence and has financial need. The O’Malley Scholarship was established by friends of John M.P. O’Malley, the Class of 1932, and a former adjunct professor.

The Pellegrini Family Endowed Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to full- or part-time students with demonstrated financial need. Students can be enrolled in any of the Schools of the University. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the scholarship amount each year is to be awarded to an evening student(s) and at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the scholarship amount each year is to be awarded to a law student(s). The remaining awards may go to any student with financial need that meets the remaining criteria. This scholarship was established through the generosity of Gerard L. Pellegrini L'57.

Catherine Bean Street Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship is awarded to a woman in her last year at the School of Law who is a member of the Western New England University Law Review. Recipients have demonstrated a potential for professional excellence and have financial need. Established in memory of Catherine Bean Street, Class of 1990, by family and friends.

Student Bar Association Scholarship
The Student Bar Association awards two scholarships. The Joanne Grummel Memorial Scholarship is based on academic success, extracurricular activities, and economic need. The John J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship recognizes those individuals who exhibit a commitment to serve the School of Law and community. Academic achievement and financial need are considered.

George Thompson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a second, third, or fourth-year law student with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. The award was established in memory of George Thompson, who taught at the School of Law.

Donald J. Dunn Scholarship
This merit scholarship is awarded to second-year students who best exemplifies academic achievement beyond expectations. The scholarship fund was established by family, friends and colleagues of Donald Dunn L'83 at the suggestion of the Board of Directors of the Law Alumni Association. The fund is a lasting tribute to Professor Dunn, who served the School of Law for 30 years, five of them as Dean.

Frank P. Fitzgerald, P.C. Scholarship
A scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is renewable when the student continues full-time study at the University and makes satisfactory progress toward degree completion. This scholarship was funded by a gift to the endowment fund by College Trustee, Frank P. Fitzgerald ’68/L’73.

The Klak Sisters Endowed Scholarship
A scholarship is awarded to a full time second year law student who is in the top half of their class and shows indicia to participate effectively and responsible in the legal profession. Preference will be given to a student who graduated from a secondary school on New England. This fund was established through the generosity of Helen A. Klak and is named for Helen and her three sisters: Julia Klak, Jean Klak Wells, and Amelia Klak Sherry.