Stetson University College of Law Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Since its founding in 1900 as Florida's first law school, Stetson University College of Law has emphasized practical skills training as an integral component of legal education. Located in Tampa Bay, Florida, Stetson’s beautiful campus in Gulfport/St. Petersburg combines advanced technology with Spanish-Mediterranean architecture. Stetson is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and has been an Association of American Law Schools member since 1931. Stetson Law awards multi-year scholarships to selected entering students; approximately 75.6 percent of the 2017 entering class had a scholarship ranging from partial through full tuition. At Stetson University College of Law, talented, driven students should have every chance to pursue their calling in law without being defined by financial constraints.

Academic Excellence and Practical Skills

Stetson's academic curriculum and skills-based legal education prepared them for success. Our trial advocacy and legal writing programs are nationally recognized. The law school boasts seven courtrooms-including the nation’s first elder-friendly courtroom-and modern classrooms designed to enhance the learning experience. The Dolly and Homer Hand Law Library in Gulfport and the satellite library in Tampa form one of the Southeast’s most advanced research and communications technology centers. The library system provides an extensive collection of online databases and digital resources, Wi-Fi access throughout the system, a comprehensive law-related DVD collection, and over 397,000 volumes. Seven professional law librarians, including five with both law and library degrees, offer individual support and reference assistance for all law students. The library system also includes 44 group-study rooms, and 24/7 swipe card access.

The intellectual exchange among students and faculty continues both inside and outside the classroom. The 44 full-time professors and three visiting full-time faculty are engaged in projects that bring Stetson regional, national, and international prominence, but they still make teaching and working with students their top priority. A balanced curriculum blends fundamental courses, practical training, and a diverse range of electives. Stetson’s academic success programs include advising, an academic orientation, bar-preparation services staffed by three full-time attorneys, a for-credit Multistate Strategies course, courses that fuse academic and critical thinking skills with substantive content, and skills workshops designed to help students realize their academic potential.

Admissions and Application Process

Stetson’s Office of Admissions counsels prospective students through the admission process-from determining the likelihood of admission to deciding whether Stetson Law is the best fit for a candidate. Stetson Law admits new full- and part-time students each fall and also accepts transfer applications year-round on a case-by-case basis. The deadlines for completed applications are May 15 for new students, January 3 for spring transfer students, and August 1 for fall transfer students. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information and to set up a campus visit.

Qualified foreign-educated attorneys have the opportunity to apply as transfer applicants and complete the JD in an accelerated manner, typically two years if attending on a full-time basis.

Read also: Explore Stetson Law

Application Addendum

If you think you have circumstances that merit further review, we encourage you to submit an addendum with your application.

Tuition and Fees

Full-time tuition and fees for 2017-2018 (fall/spring) are $42,646, and part-time tuition and fees for 2017-2018 (fall/spring) are $29,544. PT students will attend summer sessions. For summer 2018, PT tuition and fees will be $7,661.

Scholarship Opportunities at Stetson Law

Law school scholarships come in many forms, each designed to recognize academic achievement, support need, or advance diversity within the legal field. These scholarship awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and potential for success in the legal profession. Financial need-based scholarships help ensure that talented students aren’t prevented from pursuing law school due to cost. Eligibility is typically determined through financial assistance documentation, like the FAFSA, and may be combined with other forms of aid. Diversity scholarships are designed to create a richer, more representative legal community. These awards support students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the legal field, whether defined by race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or life experience. Some scholarships target specific career goals or areas of law. For instance, you might find scholarships dedicated to students pursuing public interest law, environmental law, elder law, or advocacy.

All admitted students are considered for scholarships; no special application is required. There is no financial aid deadline. Stetson offers a number of scholarships to students after they enroll, including a public service scholarship for final-year students.

When you apply and get admitted to Stetson Law, whether as a part-time or full-time student, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship. We look at your academic performance, your personal experiences and accomplishments, and how you could help further our mission.

Read also: Applying to Stetson University

Automatic Consideration

When you apply and get admitted to Stetson Law, whether as a part-time or full-time student, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship.

Scholarship Types

Stetson Law offers a variety of scholarships designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and with varied interests:

Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, LSAT scores, and GPA.
Need-Based Scholarships: Designed to assist students with financial need, often requiring FAFSA submission.
Diversity Scholarships: Aimed at fostering a more inclusive legal community by supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Public Service Scholarships: Targeted towards students with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law.

Specific Scholarship Programs

Stetson Law offers a number of scholarships to students after they enroll, including a public service scholarship for final-year students. Along with these, Stetson Law has many endowed scholarship opportunities available. You have to submit an application for each of these, and they are announced at the start of each spring or fall semester.

Public Service Scholarship: This scholarship covers the cost of the final year of law school and requires good academic standing for each semester.
Graham Carothers Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to support J.D.
James C. Hauser Memorial Scholarship: Third-year law students with a 3.25 GPA or higher are eligible for this award, but the family of Mr.
LeRoy Y. Hooks Elder Law Scholarship: This award is given to a Stetson Law student who intends to obtain a J.D. with a concentration in elder law.

Fellowships and Assistantships

At Stetson Law, we also offer fellowships and assistantships. These are offered to students in their second or third year. To be eligible, you need to have a stellar academic record and show an interest in academic writing and reading. As a teaching fellow, you’ll help with the first-year research and writing program.

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to Stetson's internal scholarships, several national scholarships are available for women and members of other groups traditionally underrepresented in law schools.

Read also: Stetson's Programs and History

Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund: The ABA offers this scholarship to first-year law students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority.
Zelle Diversity in Law Scholarship: This opportunity is for law school students who are either part of an underrepresented group or who show a long-standing commitment to diversity.
Earl Warren Scholarship: Provided by the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), this opportunity is awarded to law students who are dedicated to advancing the cause of racial justice. Recipients are often Black students, reflecting LDF's mission.
Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship: Presented by the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in Intellectual Property Law (FADIPL), this scholarship provides financial aid and mentorship for underrepresented minority law students who intend to pursue a career in intellectual property law.

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Scholarship committees want to know who you are-not just your grades, but your story, your motivations, and your potential to make an impact.

Your personal statement is your narrative anchor. Use it to connect your experiences, values, and aspirations to your decision to study law. Explain why you’re drawn to certain areas-public service, advocacy, environmental protection, corporate law-and how your goals align with the mission of the scholarship.
Your resume should showcase more than academic achievements. Highlight internships, volunteer work, student leadership, or employment that demonstrates responsibility, initiative, and commitment.
Seek recommenders who know you well and can write about your intellect, ethics, and leadership. Professors, supervisors, and mentors who can provide detailed examples of your work or personal growth will give your application credibility.

Financial Aid and Loan Forgiveness Programs

Going to law school is a huge financial commitment for most people, and finding the money to pay for it can sometimes be a roadblock for aspiring law school students.

Federal Student Loans and Forgiveness Programs

Many law graduates take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or income-driven repayment plans after entering public interest or government work.

Yellow Ribbon Program

This is for veterans or eligible dependents. Stetson Law will provide $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) to help with costs.

Additional Programs and Opportunities

Part-Time and Dual-Degree Programs

In addition to the traditional full-time program, Stetson offers a part-time evening JD program that allows students to earn a law degree in four years (including summers); part-time students must take classes at both the Gulfport and Tampa campuses.

Stetson offers three Master of Jurisprudence Programs: Aging, Law and Policy; Healthcare Compliance; and International and Comparative Business Law.

Stetson offers dual-degree programs for the JD/MBA, the JD/LLM in Advocacy, JD/MINTEC (French master’s degree with the Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, Toulouse, France), and JD/MIEBL (Spanish master’s degree with the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Madrid, Spain).

Study Abroad Programs

Stetson offers one- and two-semester exchange programs in Australia, England, Ireland, France, and Spain. Students may also study abroad in England, The Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, and the Cayman Islands. Stetson also offers a spring-break program in Cuba.

Centers and Institutes

Stetson has Centers for Excellence in Advocacy, Elder Law, Higher Education Law and Policy, and International Law, as well as law and policy institutes for Biodiversity Law, Caribbean Law, Veterans Law, and the Advancement of Legal Communication.

4 + 3 Bachelor’s/J.D. Program

Honors College offers a graduate pathway to a law degree. The Stetson 4 + 3 Bachelor’s/J.D. though preference will be given to Honors students. Program. Apply for admission to SUCL’s full-time J.D. 15 in the academic year before beginning J.D. Students are admitted to SUCL on a rolling basis. Deferments may be granted for one year on a case-by-case basis. Entering the Stetson 4 + 3 Bachelor's/J.D. 3 Bachelor’s/J.D. scholarship requirements. College of Law also have the option of pursuing accelerated admission through the 3+3 Accelerated Graduate Pathway Program.

Campus Life and Support Services

The Student Center features organizational offices, interviewing rooms, a fitness center, a lounge, and a kitchen for on-campus residents.

Stetson offers a variety of housing opportunities to fit today’s lifestyle, including 49 dorm rooms on campus, 39 single-family homes, and a 32-unit apartment complex located within a few blocks of the campus. Four of the dorm rooms are specially designed to accommodate special-needs students. The Residential Life staff creates social programming that promotes a positive living environment where academic success and lifelong friends are commonplace. The office manages a waiting list for all housing openings and also a “roommates wanted” list for interested students.

The Office of Student Affairs seeks to create a campus environment that complements the academic mission, fosters intellectual and professional development, enhances leadership skills, and builds strong relationships between Stetson students and the community. A full-time licensed mental health professional provides counseling services as well as special educational initiatives to promote mental wellness. Stetson has approximately 45 diverse student organizations. The Stetson Chapter of the American Bar Association Law Student Division has been recognized regionally and nationally as one of the largest and best, and the Student Leadership Development Program has received the ABA’s prestigious E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award for excellence in professionalism programming. Intramural programs and fitness classes ensure students keep wellness a priority.

Career and Professional Development

Stetson’s Office of Career and Professional Development is built around relationships. As Florida’s first and oldest law school, we have strong and longstanding relationships with a robust, active, and engaged network of employers and alumni. At Stetson we know that no two careers are alike, so we aim to build meaningful relationships with our students to help them achieve intentional, impactful, and fulfilling outcomes. Our insight-based and competency-focused signature career and professional development curriculum, the Career Toolkit, presents a wide range of resources to help students grow and succeed. We offer year-round On Campus Recruiting and Interviewing activities, support an experienced and connected staff, and supply a broad and deep array of professional development activities.

Achieving a Full-Ride Scholarship

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to earn a full-ride scholarship to law school-though it’s highly competitive. Many schools, including Stetson University College of Law, offer full-tuition awards to exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials, leadership, and a clear commitment to the legal profession. Full scholarships may be merit-based, need-based, or tied to specific missions such as public interest law or advocacy.

LSAT Score

While there’s no universal cutoff, competitive full scholarships often go to applicants whose LSAT scores are well above the school’s median range. At most law schools, a score in the top percentiles-typically the mid-160s or higher-significantly boosts your chances of receiving substantial aid. That said, law schools also evaluate applicants holistically, so an LSAT score is only one piece of the puzzle.

GPA

A strong undergraduate GPA can make a major difference when it comes to scholarship consideration. Generally, competitive merit-based scholarships are awarded to students whose GPAs place them near the top of their graduating class: often 3.7 or higher. However, many law schools also consider upward trends over the course of your time in college, the rigor of your coursework, and other achievements that reflect your potential for success in law school.

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