Institutional Scholarships
Most institutional merit scholarships, including our Dean’s Merit Scholarships, are automatically awarded based on academic merit and other factors highlighted in your initial application. These scholarships are awarded beginning in January and all the way through March.
However, a small number of scholarship aid (listed below) is awarded on the basis of financial need and/or other criteria. Those scholarships that are identified by the code “FA” require that you file the2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using code E00428 for Villanova Law School.
If you have any questions, please email admissions@law.villanova.edu.
All Law Students Eligible
Harold Gill Reuschlein Scholarship
Established by Arthur J. Kania, VLS ’56, a member of the Law School’s first class, in honor of the Law School’s Founding Dean Harold Gill Reuschlein, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and financial need. Already Awarded
The Honorable David W. Addy Memorial Book Scholarship
Established by the Carbon County Bar Association in memory of The Honorable David W. Addy, VLS ’86, the 17th judge to serve on the bench of the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas, this $1,000 book scholarship is awarded annually to a Villanova Law student on the basis of financial need, with preference given to those who have achieved academically in the face of significant cultural, social or economic obstacles. Required for consideration: FA
Minority Alumni Society Book Scholarship
Established by the Villanova Law Minority Alumni Society to help defray the cost of law books and other educational expenses, this scholarship is awarded annually to three or more law students on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. The scholarships were established especially to assist those who have achieved academically in the face of significant cultural, social or economic obstacles. To apply, please submit a resume and a personal statement indicating how you believe you qualify for the award, and how you have overcome significant cultural, social or economic obstacles in pursuit of your education. Current students are required to submit a law school transcript in addition to the resume and personal statement. Required for consideration: FA, PS, Resume
Villanova Law Student Aid Fund Moral Obligation Grant
The Moral Obligation grant is neither a scholarship nor a loan. The donor established this fund to enable students in need of financial assistance to attend law school. It was the donor’s hope that recipients may someday contribute to this or similar funds so that future students in need of financial assistance may pursue a legal education; thus, it is requested that all recipients recognize this by signing a non-binding moral obligation letter with Villanova Law School. Since the funds for the grant are constantly in flux, we are not able to guarantee how much, if any, money will be available in future years. Required for consideration: FA
Incoming First-Year Law Students Eligible
Deirdre L. Bailey Leadership Scholarships
Named in memory of Deirdre L. Bailey, VLS ’00, these three-year partial tuition scholarships are available annually to incoming first-year law students who come from economically, socially or culturally disadvantaged backgrounds, and who share Deirdre's commitment to education.
Professor Robert A.J. Barry Scholarship
Made possible by a generous gift from Mrs. Harriet Barry in honor of her late husband, Villanova Law Professor Robert A.J. Barry, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Required for consideration: FA
Doris DelTosto Brogan Scholarship
The Villanova Law Faculty Colleagues of Professor Doris DelTosto Brogan, VLS ’81, established this three-year partial tuition scholarship in recognition of Professor Brogan’s leadership and service as Acting Dean of the Law School from July 2009 through December 2010. This one-time scholarship was awarded in summer 2011 to a member of the entering Class of 2014 on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
E. Wallace Chadwick Memorial Scholarship of the Delaware County Bar Association
The Delaware County Bar Association, through the generosity of the late Judge E. Wallace Chadwick, established this scholarship to support area law students. The Fund provides a three-year partial tuition award to an incoming first-year law student who grew up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with preference given to a student who has performed and shown a continued interest in community service.
Class of 1962 Thomas S. Forkin Memorial Scholarship
Named in memory of Thomas S. Forkin, VLS ’62, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1962 and family members and friends of Thomas Forkin. Required for consideration: FA
Class of 1964 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1964, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Required for consideration: FA
Class of 1966 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1966, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Required for consideration: FA
Class of 1967 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1967, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Class of 1968 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1968, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Class of 1969 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1969, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Class of 1971 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1971, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Class of 1973 Scholarship
Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1973, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Class of 1975 Randy L. Sebastian Memorial Scholarship
Named in memory of Randy L. Sebastian, VLS ’75, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1975, family members and friends of Randy Sebastian, and the law firm MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Already Awarded
Class of 1984 John J. Morrissey Memorial Scholarship
Named in memory of John J. Morrissey, VLS ’84, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1984, John Morrissey’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter Morrissey and friends. Already Awarded
Dean's Merit Scholarship
All incoming first-year students are considered for the Dean’s Merit Scholarship. Awards are made on the basis of academic merit.
Kenwyn M. Dougherty Scholarship
Made possible by a generous gift from Richard L. McMonigle, VLS ’80, and his family, along with additional support from classmates, friends and colleagues, this scholarship is named in memory of Kenwyn M. Dougherty, VLS ’80, one of the first female managing partners in a major Philadelphia law firm, Post & Schell PC. This one-time, three-year partial tuition scholarship will be awarded to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Required for consideration: FA
Stephen D. and Mary C. Ford Scholarship
Made possible by a generous gift from Stephen D. Ford, VLS ’73, and his wife Mary C. Ford, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student. Students will be considered for the Scholarship if they are (a) deserving of assistance because of academic merit and/or financial need, (b) residents of New England (this shall be interpreted to include candidates now residing in New England or who had a permanent residence in New England prior to attending college), and (c) demonstrate an interest in public interest legal work. Already Awarded
David F. Girard-diCarlo Scholarship
Named in honor of David F. Girard-diCarlo, VLS ’73 and former United Stated Ambassador to Austria, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship was established by partners of the law firm Blank Rome LLP in honor of Amb. Girard-diCarlo’s many excellent years of service to the firm. Required for consideration: FA
Arthur J. Kania Scholarship
Named in honor of Arthur J. Kania, VLS ’56, one of the Law School’s greatest supporters and advocates, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship was made possible by a generous gift from Constance B. Girard-diCarlo, VLS ’74, and Amb. David F. Girard-diCarlo (Ret.), VLS ’73. Required for consideration: FA
John J. LaFalce Scholarship
Established through the generosity of John J. LaFalce, VLS ’64 and former United States Congressman, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student who is a resident of Erie, Niagara, Orleans or Monroe County in New York State, or a graduate of a college or university headquartered in one of these counties. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic qualifications, moral character and financial need. Already Awarded
The Honorable Charles A. Lord Scholarship
Named in memory of The Honorable Charles A. Lord of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, this one-year, partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of merit, financial need and potential for service to the community. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Mutual Fire Foundation. Required for consideration: FA
The Douglas M. Lurio and Margaret Sherry Lurio Scholarship
Made possible by a generous gift from Douglas M. Lurio, VLS ’81, and his wife Magaret Sherry Lurio, VLS ’81, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Philadelphia law firm Lurio & Associates, P.C., this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Memorial Scholarship
This three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the many individuals and organizations that have made memorial gifts to the Law School in honor of deceased alumni, faculty, staff, family members and friends. Already Awarded
Francis E. McGill Scholarship
Named in honor of Francis E. McGill, VLS ’56, by his classmate Arthur J. Kania, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need, with preference based on one of more of the following criteria: graduation from the University of Scranton; graduation from St. Joseph's Preparatory School; an intent to return home as a general practitioner; a strong leaning toward concentration in an estates or real estate practice. Required for consideration: FA
Nelson Levine de Luca & Horst Scholarship
Established by the law firm Nelson Levine de Luca & Horst to support diversity within the legal profession, this one year, $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a minority or diverse first year law student who demonstrates financial need and a strong desire to practice law in the Philadelphia area. The firm also offers professional development opportunities throughout the year to the recipient, if interested. Required for consideration: FA
Patrick J. O'Connor Scholarship
Named in honor of Patrick J. O'Connor, VLS ’67 and Vice Chairman of the law firm Cozen O'Connor, this three-year partial scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of outstanding scholastic achievement and financial need, with preference given to a student from a single parent home. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Mr. O’Connor’s family and friends, including the late Arthur G. Raynes, James F. Mundy, and Merry T. O'Donnell and The Maneely Fund. Required for consideration: FA
Pepper Hamilton LLP Scholarships
Pepper Hamilton LLP has generously funded these three-year, full-tuition scholarships in an effort to promote diversity in the legal profession. Each year, two incoming first-year law students are chosen to receive the scholarship based on merit, financial need and interesting life experiences. The experiences may include, but are not limited to, socioeconomic, religious, racial, ethnic and other cultural factors. Pepper Hamilton LLP is a diverse, multi-practice law firm with more than 500 lawyers nationally. Required for consideration: FA
Public Interest Scholars Program
A limited number of three-year 100% tuition-waiver scholarships are awarded annually to incoming first-year law students on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, public interest work, and a commitment to contribute to public interest endeavors as future public interest practitioners. Public Interest Scholars are required to make a number of commitments, including commitments to pro bono work while at the Law School and to be employed as public interest attorneys after graduation. To apply for 2013-2014, a Scholarship Application needed to be submitted to Admissions before February 15.
Marcella C. Reuschlein Scholarship
Named in honor of Marcella C. Reuschlein, beloved wife of the Law School’s Founding Dean Harold Gill Reuschlein, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years on the basis of academic merit and financial need to an incoming first-year law student who is attempting to raise a family while in law school. The scholarship was established by Arthur J. Kania, VLS ’56, and the late Arthur M. Goldberg, VLS ’66. Already Awarded
Minerva Schultz Scholarship
Established by The Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman, VLS ’72, the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in honor of her mother, Minerva Schultz, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Already Awarded
Juan and Felipe Silva Memorial Scholarship
Established by Dr. Jose L. Silva, a member of the Villanova University Class of 1943, in memory of his father, Juan Silva, and uncle, Felipe Silva, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student of Cuban descent on the basis of academic merit and financial need. In the alternative, if no such student is available, the scholarship is awarded to a student of Latino descent. Required for consideration: FA
Rising Second-Year Law Students Eligible
Brenda Joan Ruggiero Memorial Scholarship
Established by Dr. Robert and Mrs. Arlene Ruggiero in memory of their daughter Brenda Joan Ruggiero, a member of the Class of 1988, this two-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded to a rising second-year law student every two years on the basis of academic merit and financial need.
Rising Third-Year Law Students Eligible
David E. Worby Scholarship
Established by noted New York Trial Attorney David E. Worby, VLS 1976, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to a rising third-year law student who has distinguished him or herself in trial advocacy courses and/or moot court competition.
