J.D. Scholarships

Most gift aid eligibility is determined at the time of admission and is typically renewable for up to three years (six semesters) for students maintaining full-time enrollment. By eliminating the need to reapply annually, students can develop a comprehensive financial plan for the entire J.D. program.

For students enrolled in dual or concurrent degree programs, gift aid eligibility may be limited to five semesters due to program structures. Additional details on gift aid eligibility can be found on the J.D. Concurrent Degree Programs page.

The Prospective and Admitted Students page outlines the financial aid application process and timeline for Berkeley Law scholarships, grants, and fellowships available to incoming students. It also details the criteria for award eligibility and provides examples of past awards.

In addition to merit and need-based aid, Berkeley Law offers several named scholarships. All of our scholarships for entering students are listed on our Entering Student Scholarship page. They include:

• Berkeley Law Opportunity Scholarship (BLOS): Provides full tuition assistance for first-generation college graduates. Each year, 10 students are selected. For details, visit the BLOS webpage.
• Public Interest Scholarship: Covers full tuition and fees for students committed to public interest work. Each year, 10 recipients benefit from this scholarship. Learn more on the Public Interest Scholars page.
• Berkeley Center for Law and Business (BCLB) Scholarship: Offers $10,000 annually for students with demonstrated financial need and a focus on business law. This award can be combined with other gift aid, and up to 10 recipients are selected yearly.
• Berkeley Center for Law & Technology (BCLT) Scholarship: Provides $10,000 annually for students interested in technology and intellectual property law. Up to 10 recipients are selected each year.
• Human Rights Center (HRC) Scholarship: Awards $10,000 annually to students focusing on human rights law and the mission of the Human Rights Center. Up to 8 students receive this scholarship annually.
• Thelton E. Henderson Center Scholarship: Grants $10,000 annually to students passionate about social justice law. Recipients benefit from mentorship within a close-knit cohort. Up to 10 students are selected each year.
• Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) Scholarship: Provides $10,000 annually for students focused on environmental and energy law. Up to 8 recipients are chosen annually.
• Center for Indigenous Law & Justice (CILJ) Scholarship: Launched in 2024, this $10,000 scholarship supports students interested in indigenous law. Up to 5 students are selected each year.
• Berkeley Law & Society Scholars: Supports students pursuing interests in domestic or international policy, including areas like environmental law, education law, and comparative legal studies.
• Berkeley Builders Fellowship: For students passionate about business and corporate law, including corporate sustainability, startup law, and entertainment and sports law.
• Berkeley Scholars in Law: Designed for students aiming to publish legal scholarship, enter an academic career utilizing legal training, or pursue a J.D. and Ph.D. simultaneously.
• Berkeley Justice Fellows: Supports students dedicated to social justice in areas such as civil rights, criminal justice, tribal law, reproductive justice, and immigration law.
• Berkeley Innovation Scholars: For students exploring the intersection of law, technology, and society, including intellectual property and emerging technology regulation. 
• Leadership Academy: Designed for students hoping to serve society in an array of leadership roles, from government officials and judges to nonprofit executives and startup founders. The initiative provides an extra $10,000 scholarship per year on top of the student’s existing gift aid award. Visit the Leadership Academy page to learn more.

Berkeley Law offers two scholarships to all students who meet the eligibility criteria. If incoming students are eligible for these scholarships, these are given as a part of the entering student gift aid and will automatically renew for 3 years. If a student meets the eligibility criteria in their 2L or 3L year, the entitlement scholarship will be awarded when they become eligible and automatically renew. If you meet the eligibility but have not received the award as of yet, please contact our office at your earliest convenience.   

Native American Opportunity Plan (NAOP): California residents who are enrolled in a federally recognized Native American, American Indian, or Alaska Native tribe will receive an award that covers the systemwide tuition, student services fees, and Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST). Visit the NAOP page to learn more about this program and the eligibility requirements. 

U.S. Military Promise Program (MPP): Active duty U.S. military and honorably discharged veterans are eligible to receive a scholarship of $10,000 per year for three years. 

PDST-Increase Offset Award (PIOA): The PIOA program was established with the aim of improving transparency and predictability in tuition costs for Berkeley Law students enrolled between Fall 2019 and Fall 2023. This program is not eligible for students admitted on or after Fall 2023. Please visit the PIOA page to learn more about this program. 

Each summer, the Law Financial Aid Office opens the Continuing Student Scholarships application for rising 2L and 3L students. Scholarships are awarded based on specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrated financial need or a particular academic focus. We encourage continuing students to explore and apply for scholarships that align with their academic pursuits and career goals.

The online application will be available on the Forms page after an email announcement in June.

Most of these scholarships are funded by generous donors, and recipients are strongly encouraged to participate in donor-related activities, such as writing thank-you letters and attending scholarship luncheons with donors.

Below is an overview of some of the scholarships that have been offered in previous years:

• The Harry Falik Public Interest Scholarship offers awards ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 to 3L JD students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to a career in public interest or public service. Applicants are required to submit a statement describing their eligibility, the work they plan to pursue, their motivations for choosing this career path, and how the scholarship will support their goals.
• The Sheharbano Sangi Scholarship provides $10,000 to J.D. students who exhibit financial need and a strong dedication to advancing environmental justice. Applicants must submit a statement outlining their qualifications, their planned work, their motivations for this focus, and how the scholarship will aid them in achieving their objectives.
• The William and Marianne Gagen Scholarship awards $10,000 to students pursuing a career in criminal defense. Eligible candidates must be in good academic standing, demonstrate financial need, and submit an essay discussing their past work, future career plans, motivations for pursuing this field, and how the scholarship will support their goals and address their financial needs.
• The Robert Barr Scholarship supports 2L or 3L J.D. students with financial need who are interested in law and technology. This scholarship typically provides awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
• The Brian Lewinstein Social Justice Scholarship offers awards between $5,000 and $10,000 to students with financial need who are committed to pursuing a career in public interest and social justice.
• The Falik Real Estate Scholarship is awarded to 3L students who demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in real estate or land use law, with a potential focus on affordable housing. The award amount is typically $10,000.
• The Theodore and Doris Lee Scholarship provides support ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 for 3L students who demonstrate financial need and have a strong interest in pursuing research in the field of torts.
• The Ken Kofman Scholarship awards between $5,000 and $7,500 to students interested in pursuing careers in city, county, or state government.
• The Sallie Walker Memorial Scholarship supports students with disabilities who demonstrate financial need. Awards for this scholarship range from $5,000 to $10,000.
• The Edwin A. Heafey, Jr. Fellowship offers support ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 to 2L or 3L J.D. students who exhibit financial need and are interested in pursuing a career in trial advocacy.
• The Elizabeth & Charles Tigar Public Interest Scholarship provides a $2,000 award to 2L or 3L J.D. students who have shown a commitment to public interest law. This includes areas such as promoting human rights, peaceful resolution of international disputes, healthcare law, and advocacy for marginalized groups.
• The Victor Van Bourg Scholarship awards between $2,500 and $4,500 to J.D. students with financial need who are committed to practicing labor law on behalf of unions and working people. Preference is given to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or those who are current or former labor union members.
• The Bernard Bradley Barber Scholarship typically awards $4,000 to $6,000 to students interested in legal studies related to domestic or international philanthropy or nonprofit organizations.
• The Michael J. Halloran Scholarship provides awards ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 to students specializing in corporate, securities, or banking law. Recipients are expected to take courses in these areas during their second and third years of study.
• The Alexander Marsden ‘Captain’ Kidd Scholarship awards between $4,000 and $8,000 to students with financial need who are pursuing careers in educational fields or have relevant experience in education.
• The Kate Gold Memorial Scholarship awards $5,000 annually to 3L students who demonstrate a commitment to public interest law, pro bono work, and mentorship initiatives.
• Graduate Division awards range from $1,500 to $10,000. Through the generosity of the below donors who have given to Berkeley Law and the UC Berkeley Graduate Division, various scholarships are awarded to support high-achieving students with exceptional academic capacity. Applicants will be asked to discuss how their academic achievements or leadership skills have influenced Berkeley Law and/or the community.
  • Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund
  • Tracy K. Edmonson Students Scholarship Fund
  • The Carol Ross Scholarship Fund for Single Parents
  • The Joel Sanders Scholarship Fund
  • The Donald S. Greenberg and Norman S. Oberstein Scholarship Fund
  • The Daniel S. Floyd Scholarship Fund
  • The Douglas R. and Terry F. Young Scholarship Fund
  • The Laura Wen-yu Young Scholarship Fund
  • The Holly and Mitchell ’96 Zuklie Law Student Excellence Fund

Please visit the Need-Based Aid Appeal page to learn more about the process and timeline.

UC Berkeley offers several scholarship opportunities for graduate students through various offices. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Below is an overview of key scholarships and fellowships available to Berkeley Law students:

1. Graduate Opportunity Fellowship (GOP)
   • The Graduate Opportunity Program Master’s Fellowship is designed for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and AB 540 applicants entering a terminal master’s or professional degree program.
     • Award Amount: Up to $15,000 stipend ($7,500 per semester) and tuition and fees for one academic year.
     • Eligibility: Demonstrated financial need (via FAFSA or SGA) and academic achievement despite social, economic, or educational obstacles.
   • Application Process:
     • Submit the Berkeley Law J.D. admissions application.
     • Complete the Supplemental Gift Aid Application.
   • Contact Information:
     • Office: Berkeley Law Financial Aid Office
     • Email: financial-aid-law@berkeley.edu
   • If selected for the Graduate Diversity Program (GDP) Scholarship, you will automatically be nominated for the GOP Fellowship.
2. Graduate Division Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships
   • The Graduate Division at UC Berkeley provides a wide range of fellowships for graduate and professional degree students.
     • Full List of Opportunities: Visit Graduate Division Fellowships for comprehensive details and application information.
3. Berkeley International Office Scholarships
   • The Berkeley International Office (BIO) offers need-based financial aid to international students who experience significant and unexpected financial challenges.
     • Eligibility: Reserved for international students with the most critical financial needs.
     • Limitations: Awards do not provide ongoing support and will not cover full tuition and fees.
     • For more details, visit the BIO Financial Aid for Graduate Students page.

Explore databases of outside agency scholarships here.