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General Scholarship Opportunities

As a graduate student, you are automatically considered "independent" for financial aid purposes. That means parental income and assets are not counted in determining your financial aid eligibility. 

When you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see Financial Aid page), the federal formula is used to calculate your ability to contribute toward your educational costs, which is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance (COA) to calculate your demonstrated need: COA - EFC = Need.

Financial Aid Office personnel will determine your eligibility for funds up to the total COA, as loan programs are not "need-based."

Conditional Scholarship Retention Data

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
2021-22 Academic Year 74 14
2020-21 Academic Year 73 16
2019-20 Academic Year 67 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. Class rank or good standing, as specified in the scholarship offer, may be required for annual renewal.

Half of the annual award is credited toward the tuition bill each semester for up to six full-time (or eight part-time) semesters. Scholarship amounts are pro-rated for those who elect the four-year program or are admitted into the 2-year accelerated program.  Additional details regarding disbursement and retention criteria will be provided to all awardees.

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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 prorated 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 2023, 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 rata 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)

Please read the following Student Emergency Fund Guidelines (effective 1-20-2022) prior to applying for emergency funds

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

Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship grants 20 incoming diverse law students with $15,000 of financial assistance over the course of their three years in law school. During his term as ABA President, William G. Paul initiated the scholarship to encourage racially and ethnically diverse students to apply to and attend law school.

Since its inception, 200 students from across the country have received the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship. These exceptional recipients have overcome adversity, proven themselves through academic success and public service, and demonstrated the tenacity to excel within the profession." (via www.americanbar.org)

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

Veteran Services at Albany Law School

Contact

Andrea Wedler
Director of Financial Aid
awedl@albanylaw.edu