MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Penn Law awards merit scholarships to a select number of students based primarily on their academic achievements and intellectual ambition, but also based on nonacademic factors such as leadership, service, and professional or life experiences. All applicants who are admitted to the Law School are considered for our merit scholarships. Although there is not a separate application for merit scholarships, applicants who are nominated by the Admissions Committee may be asked to complete an interview or to submit an essay for particular scholarships. Scholarship nominees and recipients are notified on a rolling basis between January and late April.

Levy Scholars Program

Penn Law has identified outstanding entering students in our recent classes and awarded them scholarships and a place in our program. This program gives Levy Scholars outstanding access to faculty and the opportunity to attend exclusive programs in areas of their academic interest, emphasizing and supporting the cross-disciplinary interests of these fine students.

In 2002, the Chair of our Board of Overseers, Paul Levy L'72, decided with his wife Karen to make an incredibly generous gift to create the Levy Scholars Program. This prestigious program is all encompassing, starting with a merit grant of a complete tuition waiver for the first year and a two-thirds percent tuition grant for the second and third years. It will also include establishing mentoring relationships with faculty in areas of interest to the recipients, specialized programmatic support, research assistant opportunities, and more.

Penn Law's commitment to a broad and modern legal education and our proximity to some of the nation's finest graduate and professional schools make cross-disciplinary study one of the defining characteristics of Penn Law – though it is by no means a requirement for consideration or participation in the Levy Scholars Program. Rather, it is our hope that Levy Scholars will want to avail themselves of these rich opportunities and resources by exploring joint degree or certificate programs or by taking cross-disciplinary classes at the Law.

There is no special application to be considered for this scholarship. The Office of Admissions will select nominees for consideration from among our candidates for admission.

James Wilson Scholarship

The James Wilson Scholarship provides an award of $60,000 in tuition coverage, or $20,000 per year. James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence, architect of the Constitution, and one of the original justices of the United States Supreme Court, was Penn's first professor of law. Our selection committee seeks accomplished individuals who embody the pioneering spirit and leadership of James Wilson, and who will be fully engaged in the unique academic community at Penn Law.

Silverman-Rodin Scholars

This scholarship was established in 2004 by alumnus Henry Silverman, in honor of Judith Rodin, former President of the University of Pennsylvania. Selection is primarily based on the student's academic achievement and demonstration of leadership. The Silverman-Rodin Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for their first year of law school and half tuition scholarship for their second year of law school. Two students from the Class of 2011 will receive a Silverman-Rodin Scholarship.

Dean's Scholarship

This award is a one-year merit scholarship based primarily on academic achievement and nonacademic factors such as leadership, service, and life or work experience. They range from $4,500 - $60,000 over three years. The number of Dean's Scholarships that are awarded varies from year to year.

Toll Public Interest Scholars Program

The Toll Public Interest Scholars Program combines financial support with a challenging academic program for select students seeking academic training and practical experience in public interest law. We have two scholarship programs:

• The Robert and Jane Toll Public Interest Scholars Program, created by Robert Toll L'66 and his wife Jane.
• The Public Interest Scholars Program, supported by the generous contributions of Morris M. Shuster and the Class of '54, with significant support from Valla Amsterdam.

Both of these scholarships include full tuition for the first year of study and two-thirds tuition for the second and third years. Details about this program are available in the Toll Public Interest Center section of the website.

Toll Loan Forgiveness Program

Penn Law graduates who pursue a career in the Public Interest sector can participate in the Toll Loan Forgiveness Program. Awards are granted annually for up to 10 years, notwithstanding those years an alum serves in a judicial clerkship.