Academics
Academics
Scholarships
Merit-based ScholarshipsDrake Law School awards more than $3.5 million annually in merit- and need-based scholarships. Most scholarships are renewable for all three years based on academic achievement and financial need.
Merit- and Need-based Scholarships
General Merit Scholarships
General Combined Merit and Need Scholarships
Summer Public Interest Fellowships
National Scholarship Programs
* At this time there are no scholarships allocated for LL.M. or M.J. students.
Merit-based Scholarships
The following scholarships are awarded to entering students based on academic achievement, LSAT score and consideration of the student's overall application file. Students who receive these awards have exceptional academic credentials and leadership abilities. These scholarships are renewable for the second and third years of law school if the student ranks in the top third of the class. All admitted students are automatically considered for these awards.
Dwight D. Opperman Scholarships | Download the General Information Form for Scholarships |
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|Full-tuition merit scholarships for first-year students.
Leland Stanford Forrest Scholarship
This scholarship was established through the bequest of Leland Stanford Forrest, former dean of the law school. The recipient is selected from among entering students who are graduates of Iowa high schools or colleges.
Edward and Cora Hayes Scholarship
The former associate dean and his wife established this scholarship to assist law students who are not graduates of Iowa high schools or colleges.
AMTA Mock Trial and ACMA Moot Court Scholarships
Students designated as All-American Attorneys or All-American Mediators at any of the 2009-10 AMTA national tournaments or All-American Attorneys at the 2009-10 ACMA national tournament who are admitted to, and enroll full-time, at Drake Law School in 2010 will receive a minimum scholarship of $6,000.
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Merit- and Need-Based Scholarships
General Law School Scholarships
The Law School's general scholarship awards are based on a student's undergraduate academic performance, LSAT score and demonstrated financial need. The size of the general scholarship awards varies from year to year, but traditionally awards have ranged between 20 percent and 75 percent of tuition. These one-year scholarships are renewable if the student ranks in the top third of the class (assuming that the student's level of need does not change significantly). All admitted students who submit the FAFSA are considered for general scholarship awards.
Second- and third-year students who did not enter with general scholarship awards can earn scholarship assistance based on their academic achievement at Drake Law School. The amount awarded is based on the student's cumulative grade point average and demonstrated financial need.
Opportunity Scholarships
| Download the Law Opportunity Scholarship form - Disadvantaged|
| Download the Law Opportunity Scholarship form - Diversity |
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|The Law School awards scholarships each year to entering students who are from educationally, economically or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, or who demonstrate that their enrollment will significantly contribute to the diversity of the student body. In addition, an applicant must show financial need. Opportunity Scholarships range from 1/4 to full-tuition awards. Each award is renewable as long as the student is in good academic standing and continues to demonstrate financial need. Students may submit applications based on either disadvantage or diversity or both.
Public Service Scholarships
| Download the Public Service Scholarship form |
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|Drake offers two full-tuition Public Service Scholarships each year to students who exhibit an extraordinary history of public service work and plan to continue that commitment during and after law school. The awards are renewable. In exchange, the recipient agrees to work in a public interest job after graduation for at least one year for each year of scholarship assistance.
Charles "Buck" and Dora Taylor Endowed Law Scholarship
| Download the General Information Form for Scholarships |
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|Established in honor of 1933 Drake Law School graduate Charles Taylor, this scholarship is given annually to an entering student with financial need who has demonstrated a history of academic success while participating in sports at the undergraduate school level. The award is renewable for the second and third years of law school if the student ranks in the top half of the class.
Donald C. and Doris K. Byers Scholarship
| Download the Byers Scholarships form |
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|Established by Donald C. Byers, LW í51, and Doris K. Byers, this scholarship is awarded annually with preference given to residents of Newton, Iowa and the surrounding area of Jasper County, Iowa. If there are no qualified students from this area in any given year, priority will be given to residents of the State of Iowa. The award will be made to an entering first-year student based upon both merit and need.
General Merit Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to entering and returning students. Need is not a factor in determining these awards.
Lex and Scott Hawkins Endowed Scholarship
Lex Hawkins, LW'51, and Scott Hawkins, LW'81, established this scholarship to be awarded to the president of the Law School's Moot Court Board.
Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives - Electric Cooperative Pioneer Trust Fund Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student interested in agricultural law, with a preference given to students planning to practice in Iowa.
James P. Irish Scholarship
Established by Edwin Skinner and Donald Beattie in honor of their associate and law partner, James P. Irish, LW'31, this scholarship is awarded to law students from Southeast Polk High School or to members of the Law Review Board of Editors.
Edward H. Jones Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship was established in honor of the late Edward H. Jones, former executive director of the Iowa State Bar Association, and is awarded to a second-year law student by the Iowa State Bar Foundation. Applications are made available to eligible students in the spring of each year.
Legal Research Service Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to the president of the Student Legal Research Service.
James L. Perkins Scholarship
Established by James L. Perkins, LA'53, LW'54, this award is presented to a worthy student who has been selected for the Drake Law Review.
Phi Alpha Delta Scholarships
Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity makes several scholarships of up to $2,500 available nationally each year. Applications and detailed information may be obtained from the faculty adviser or the Chapter Justice.
Gene D. Reifsnider Scholarship
The scholarship was established by Gene Reifsnider, LW'51, for students who are on the Drake Law Review staff.
General Combined Merit and Need Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to entering and returning students based on the student's academic record and financial need. Unless otherwise noted, the FAFSA is required and constitutes application for scholarships. Gifts and allocations to and income earned from the Law School Endowment Trust Scholarship Fund support the scholarships.
Clyde W. Amme Scholarship
This scholarship was established through a gift of Clyde W. Amme and will be given to a student in good academic standing of Drake Law School.
William Stone Ayres Scholarship
This scholarship was established by a bequest from Gladys L. Ayres in memory of her husband, an 1894 Law School graduate.
Elizabeth Hyde Brown Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Elizabeth Hyde Brown in memory of her aunt, Elizabeth Hyde, formerly a Des Moines attorney.
James E. Cooney Scholarship
This award was established by the Iowa Limestone Company in memory of James E. Cooney.
Beverly Estate Scholarships
These awards are made possible by bequests from Francis Cecile Beverly, LW'15, and Adda Brown Beverly, ED'14.
George and Mary Brammer Scholarship
Mary and John Harper established this scholarship as a memorial to Mary's parents, 1908 and 1907 graduates of the Law School.
David L. Brown Scholarship
David L. Brown, LW'75, established this scholarship to provide financial assistance to promising students enrolled in the study of advocacy at the Law School who have demonstrated strong levels of achievement and financial need.
Gregory Brunk Scholarship
This scholarship was made available by the late Gregory Brunk, LW'19.
Margaret L. Coskery Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Mary Coffey in memory of her life long companion, Margaret L. Coskery, LW'23.
Raymond DiPaglia Endowment Scholarship
Mr. DiPaglia, LW'91, has established an endowment that provides a scholarship to a returning law student who is in good standing at the Law School.
Grace O. Doane Scholarship
This scholarship is for a second-year Iowa resident who ranks in the top one-half of his or her class. The award may be renewed.
Joseph M. Dorgan Scholarship
Joseph M. Dorgan left his estate to support this scholarship for African-American law students.
Drake Law School 2nd Century Law Scholarship
This endowed scholarship is made possible by the generous gifts of Drake Law School alumni and friends.
Robert E. Early Memorial Scholarship
Provided by Margaret M. Early in memory of her husband, LW'41, this scholarship is awarded to the second- or third-year full-time student determined to be in most need of financial assistance.
Herman E. Elgar Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship for third-year students was established in memory of Mr. Elgar, LW'11, by his wife and children, John, LW'50, and Alanson, LW'51.
D.J. Fairgrave Education Trust
This trust, established by Denio John Fairgrave, awards a scholarship to a student on the basis of financial need, character, academic record, personal achievements, future goals and anticipated contributions to the profession.
Annamae Heaps Law Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a second-year student who demonstrates financial need.
John M. Helmick Law Scholarship
Given by Robert H. Helmick, LW'60, in memory of his grandfather, John Miller Helmick, this scholarship helps students of Iowa backgrounds who plan to enter the legal or educational professions in Iowa.
Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, Inc. Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by the Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee, Inc. The award will be given with preference to students who will have taken a Workers' Compensation course prior to applying for the scholarship and will help fund academic internship hours.
Wayne L. Kern Endowed Law School Scholarship
Established by Wayne L. Kern, this scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in "good standing" at Drake Law School, and who is in need of financial assistance.
Forest A. King Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Mr. King, LW'25, by his wife, Nonnie.
Martin Luther King Law Scholarship
Established by Naomi Mercer, LW'68, this scholarship is awarded to a female African-American law student who embodies the spirit and values of Martin Luther King and who has demonstrated financial need.
Darwin Kinney Scholarship
This scholarship, established by Darwin C. Kinney, will be awarded to a student, not in the upper-third of their class, but who has successfully completed at least their first year.
David and Elizabeth Kruidenier Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by an endowment established by David and Elizabeth Kruidenier, LW'73, to provide assistance to outstanding entering law students.
LaMarca and Landry, P.C. Health Law Scholarship
This endowed scholarship is funded by the gifts of George A. LaMarca, LW'70, and Gregory W. Landry, LW'83.
Law Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible by the contributions of Drake Law School alumni and friends.
Verne Lawyer Scholarship
Established in 1992 by an anonymous donor, this scholarship honors D. Verne Lawyer, a 1949 graduate of the Law School.
League of Attorneys' Wives Scholarship
This annual award is made to a second-year or third-year female law student who plans a career in public interest law.
Frederick D. Lewis Jr. Scholarship
This scholarship fund was established by Patrick D. Kelly, LW'53, in memory of Frederick D. Lewis Jr., a professor at Drake Law School from 1949 to 1959.
Gordon and Delores Madson Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Gordon Madson, LW'57, and his wife, Delores.
Jake S. More Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Jake S. More, LW'28.
E. B. Mountain Scholarship Fund
This endowed scholarship was funded by a gift from Maple and Elmer Mountain and will be awarded to a qualified student demonstrating financial need.
Colleen O'Brien Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Bernice A Koethe in memory of her niece, Colleen F. O'brien, and will be awarded to a female law student.
Fred Ontjes Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Fred A. Ontjes in thanks for the scholarship given to him for his first year at Drake Law School.
Peterson Trust Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by a gift from the Henry G. and Norma A. Peterson Charitable Trust.
Jerome S. Petz, S.J., Scholarship
The faculty established this scholarship as a memorial in honor of Father Jerome Petz, who taught at the Law School from 1971 to 1979.
Virginia Piper Charitable Trust Scholarship
This scholarship was established by a grant received from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.
Janet Reynoldson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the family of Janet Reynoldson, LW'65. Selection is based on a student's contributions to community and family, academic achievement, need and significant change in career.
Isador M. Robinson Endowment Scholarship
The Robinson family established this scholarship fund from which awards are made to second- or third-year law students on the basis of leadership and academic achievement.
Root Law Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Richard Morton and Ruth Bailey Root Charitable Trust.
Walter and Rita Selvy Scholarship
Walter, LW'28, and his late wife, Rita Selvy, established this scholarship, which is awarded under the direction of the president of Drake University.
Daniel Walker Smith Drake Law Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by the gift of Daniel Walker Smith, LW'55. Preference will be given to those deserving students demonstrating financial need and having been raised in central Iowa.
Max R., Jr. and Grace M. Teske Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Max R., Jr., LW'54, and Grace M. Teske and will be awarded to an applicant or enrolled law school student demonstrating financial need with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher
Linda Weindruch Scholarship
This scholarship was established to memorialize Linda S. Weindruch, LW'83. The award is for a first-year student who has demonstrated strong academic performance and high ethical standards. Preference is given to students who intend to practice in the area of taxation or administrative law in the State of Iowa.
Haemer Wheatcraft Scholarship
This scholarship was established by friends and associates in honor of Haemer Wheatcraft, LW'33.
Paul Williams Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Paul Williams and is awarded to a student exhibiting strong academic credentials.
William Wimer Endowed Law School Scholarship
This award is funded by a generous gift from Dr. Carey Wimer and will be awarded to a student enrolled in "good standing" and that demonstrates financial need.
Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees, Sease Law Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Donald H. Zarley, LW'54; Bruce W. McKee; Dennis L. Thomte; Michael G. Voorhees, LW'68; Edmund J. Sease, LW'67; and John Beehner. This award is designated primarily for students who are interested in intellectual property law.
Summer Public Interest Fellowships
Awards toward the following academic year's tuition are available to selected students who work in the summer for a public interest organization. Applications are available in the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.
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National Scholarship Programs
Students may find additional opportunities for scholarships offered by the following non-Drake, outside organizations.
American Bar Association Opportunity Scholarship Fund ($5,000/year-3/1/2010 deadline)
http://www.abanet.org/fje
American Bar Association Scholarships and Writing Contests
http://www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions/writing-contests/#scholarships
The Federal Circuit Bar Association Scholarships
http://www.fedcirbar.org/olc/pub/LVFC/cpages/misc/scholar.jsp
American Association for Justice Scholarships
http://www.justice.org/cps/rde/xchg/justice/hs.xsl/1737.htm
American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation
http://www.aiplef.org/scholarships/
About Law Schools: General Scholarship Database
http://www.aboutlawschools.org/law/career/scholarships/
The Military & Veterans Benefits Law Scholarship
http://www.lawschoolvets.com/
James B. Morris Scholarship Fund, Inc
http://www.morrisscholarship.org/staticpages/index.php/Application
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
http://www.maldef.org/education/scholarships.htm
Hispanic National Bar Foundation Scholarships
http://www.hnbf.org/page.aspx?id=97&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Scholarships
http://www.napaba.org/napaba/showpage.asp?code=scholarships
Rhode Island Bar Foundation: Thomas F. Black Jr. Scholarship (Rhode Island Residents Only)
To request an application, call 1-800-44-DRAKE, x2782 or e-mail at law-admit@drake.edu
