General Scholarship Opportunities
Conditional Scholarship Retention Data
Beginning with the Fall 2022 entering class, Albany Law School no longer offers conditional scholarships.
ABA Standard 509(e) requires law schools to post the chart below, showing the retention rate for conditional scholarships.
The ABA defines a conditional scholarship as: ". . . any financial aid award, the retention of which is dependent upon the student maintaining a minimum grade point average or class standing, other than that ordinarily required to remain in good academic standing."
Class rank, as specified in the scholarship offer, is required for annual renewal.
Students Matriculating in: | Number of Students with Conditional Scholarships | Number Whose Conditional Scholarships have been Reduced or Eliminated |
---|---|---|
2023-24 Academic Year | 0 | 0 |
2022-23 Academic Year | 0 | 0 |
2021-22 Academic Year | 74 | 14 |
Albany Law School Scholarships
Albany Law School offers a generous merit-based scholarship program for all Juris Doctor candidates.
Scholarships are offered by the Admissions Committee at the time of acceptance, based upon the strength of the admissions application. All admitted students are automatically considered. No separate scholarship application is required. Good standing, as specified in the scholarship offer, may be required for annual renewal.
Half of the annual amount is credited toward the tuition bill each semester for up to six full-time (or eight part-time) semesters. Note: a third of the annual amount is credited toward the tuition bill each semester for students in the accelerated (two-year) program. For Flex J.D., the annual amount is multiplied by 3 and then divided by 10 to get the per semester amount. Additional details regarding disbursement and retention criteria will be provided to all awardees.
Writing Competitions (Portal Login Required)
Merit Scholarships (only for JD Students)
Albany Law School awards merit scholarships every year.
- Awarded by the Admissions Committee based on the strength of admissions application. (No separate scholarship application required.)
- Award is pro-rated for those who elect the four-year program.
- Class rank may be required for renewal.
- Half of the annual amount is credited toward the tuition bill each semester for up to six full-time (or eight part-time) semesters.
- Note: A third of the annual amount is credited toward the tuition bill each semester for students in the accelerated (two-year) J.D. program.
SUNY Legal Fellowship (Only for JD Students)
All graduates awarded either a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree from any SUNY Institution that enroll at Albany Law School are guaranteed a scholarship through our SUNY Legal Fellowship, as long as they are admitted by June 1. Qualified students admitted after June 1 may still be considered.
For students entering in 2024, the guaranteed minimum scholarship award is $20,000 per academic year. This award is guaranteed for up to three years of study at Albany Law School and is automatically renewed as long as the student remains in good standing.
For applicants choosing the four-year program, pro-rated adjustments will be made to the scholarship.
Every applicant is automatically considered for all available merit-based scholarship awards at the time of their acceptance. Any SUNY graduate that qualifies for a larger merit award will receive that award in place of the SUNY Legal Fellowship.
Fellowships (Only for JD Students)
There are numerous fellowships available to students with a variety of stipend levels and time commitments.
For example:
- The President’s International Law Fellowship - stipend and an automatic international placement
- The Edgar and Margaret Sandman Fellowship - awarded to a second-year student who, with a stipend, spends a full year at the Government Law Center conducting research which culminates in the authorship of a major study and development of a statewide forum.
The Helen T. Wilkinson Memorial Student Assistance Fund/Student Emergency Fund (For Any Student)
Students who experience difficulties because of health concerns or family emergencies, for example, or who need special assistance to pay for emergency living expenses or other special needs may apply for an emergency grant.
After the completed application is submitted, the request is reviewed by the Student Emergency Fund Committee, and contact will be made with the student for follow-up or a decision.
Access the Student Emergency Fund form
External Scholarship Opportunities
The Financial Aid Office frequently receives information from various outside organizations that offer scholarships. This information is distributed to Albany Law School students and/or applicants for admission, usually via email, depending on the scholarship criteria.
Learn More about External Scholarship Opportunities
Yellow Ribbon Program's Tuition Assistance
The Yellow Ribbon Program provides financial support for student-veterans and their dependents to attend law school with partially or fully funded tuition that exceeds the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Veterans or dependents at the 100% benefit level qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program covering all of their tuition and receive the military’s monthly housing allowance (BAH). This means eligible student-veterans may attend Albany Law School for free!*
How to Apply
- Apply for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- The VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility.
- Contact our Registrar’s Office with your certificate to certify your benefits.
Veteran Services at Albany Law School
Contact
Andrea Wedler
Director of Financial Aid
awedl@albanylaw.edu