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Scholarships for Upper Division Students

California Western is here to help you throughout your law school journey. After completing your first year of law school, you are eligible for several scholarships based on academic performance, service, and leadership. 

To recognize continued academic success, California Western awards merit scholarships to students at the top of their class at the end of their first and second years of law school, respectively. For more information on the eligibility requirements, please contact the office of the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.

  • Range from partial to full-tuition scholarships.
  • Scholarships are subject to the following terms and conditions:
    • Students are classified as second year students upon the completion of 27 units.
    • Students are classified as third year students upon the completion of 57 units.
    • In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the third year, students must have 1) completed the second year in three or fewer trimesters, and 2) have taken at least four required or California bar-tested courses of three or more credits, not including STEPPS, during their second year.
    • If students are found guilty of an honor code violation, scholarships may be revoked and may not be reinstated.
    • Scholarships only apply toward classes taken at CWSL. 
  • Applications are not required for academic merit scholarships, and it is not necessary to have demonstrated financial need.
  • Academic Merit Awards will be determined no later than 10 days after grade release for the term the student becomes eligible.

The Dean’s Community Service and Leadership Scholarship recognizes students who engage as leaders and prioritize service to marginalized communities, including underserved or underrepresented populations. This is a competitive scholarship that requires an application. There are a number of awards offered to students each year. 

  • Awards are for partial tuition.
  • An application is required.
  • The 2L scholarship is open to all students not currently receiving a full-tuition scholarship after the completion of their first year of study
  • The 3L scholarship is open to all students not currently receiving a full-tuition scholarship after the completion of their second year of study.
  • Applications will be sent out to eligible students by email no later than 10 days after grade release for the term in which the student becomes eligible.

Friends and family established the Walid Taleb Memorial Scholarship to honor the memory of alumnus Walid Taleb '87, who lived in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Incoming and current students from Africa or Lebanon, who plan to return there and work with the criminal justice system following graduation, are eligible to apply.

  • Award amount each year will be determined by California Western.
  • Financial need is not a factor in the selection criteria.
  • Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

This scholarship is offered to a second-year student who has shown a dedication to public service, community, educational achievements, leadership, and a commitment to the legal profession.

This scholarship recognizes a second or third-year law student who has shown community leadership and a commitment to providing services to underrepresented groups. 

This scholarship award, provided by the Lawyers Club of San Diego, recognizes a second or third-year law student who supports the mission of the Lawyers Club of San Diego to advance the status of women in law and society. The recipient is also ranked in the top 50% of their law school class.

 

This scholarship is presented to a second-year student who has demonstrated ethical and/or civic leadership and a commitment to providing services to underrepresented groups in the community. This scholarship is made possible by generous contributions from the attorneys of Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating student who intends to go into solo practice upon graduation. Preference is given to students who have been inducted into the CWSL Pro Bono or Public Service Honors Society.

This scholarship is awarded to a second-or third-year law student who exemplifies interest and promise in the areas of consumer law, consumer rights, and/or consumer advocacy. 

This award is presented to the graduating student who best exemplifies Mr. Cory’s spirit of pro bono service for the underrepresented in our community.

This scholarship is awarded to a second-year student who exhibits leadership qualities consistent with former founding Dean and President Robert K. Castetter. A typical recipient is a student who goes the extra mile and makes great contributions to the California Western campus community, while exhibiting the same leadership qualities as Dean Castetter.

This award is presented to a graduating student or students who demonstrate exemplary trial skills, as defined by the Moot Court Honors Board faculty advisor.