Public Interest Scholars Program
Villanova University School of Law encourages students to pursue careers in public interest law. To facilitate such careers, VLS has created the Public Interest Scholars Program. Each year, several students are offered a 100% tuition-waiver scholarship based on their past academic achievement, leadership, public interest work and commitment to contribute to public interest endeavors at Villanova Law and as future public interest practitioners.
Benefits
- Scholars will receive a 100% tuition-waiver scholarship.
- Scholars will be assigned a professor/advisor with a public interest background and/or strong tie to the public interest community.
- Scholars will receive a public interest mentor outside of Villanova University School of Law in practice areas of interest to the Scholars.
- Scholars will receive career counseling from the Director of Public Service Careers and Pro Bono Programs.
Requirements
The Scholar will be required to perform a total of 100 hours of pre-approved pro bono legal service during the three years of law school; to participate in one clinical course and either a second clinical course or a non-judicial externship for credit; to satisfy the law school’s research paper writing requirement by writing on a public interest topic; to plan (with all Scholars) the Public Interest Lecture Series, and to work in a legal capacity for a public interest organization for both of his or her summers at Villanova Law School.
In order to renew their Scholarship, Scholars must maintain good standing, including successful academic progress, meet all of the requirements of the Villanova Public Interest Scholarship Program and maintain a commitment to do public interest work.
Upon graduation, Public Interest Scholars will be obligated to engage in at least three years of public interest legal employment within their first five years of post law school employment.
Applicants interested in being considered for the Scholarship must submit TWO applications, an application for Admission to Villanova Law and the Scholarship application. The Application deadline for the Public Interest Scholars Program is February 15. Applicants are encouraged to submit both applications early to maximize their chances.
