Types of Aid

UC Irvine Law Scholarships

Every J.D. student admitted to the UC Irvine School of Law is considered for UC Irvine Law Scholarship. The scholarship will be offered to those whose academic records demonstrate exceptional promise for outstanding law school performance.

The UC Irvine Law Scholarship is renewed up to a total of three years (six semesters) of full-time enrollment, and the student is to remain in good academic standing at the end of each year. For students enrolled in a concurrent degree program with five semesters of full-time J.D. enrollment, their scholarships will be credited toward J.D. tuition in equal amounts for only five semesters. J.D. students enrolled in a concurrent degree program with fewer than six semesters of full-time law enrollment will forfeit one semester of scholarship.

UC Irvine Law Public Service Scholarships

As an expression of the law school's commitment to supporting students interested in the public sector admitted J.D. students may be considered for a Public Service Scholarship by submitting a separate application demonstrating their history of public service and dedication to entering a career in public interest law after graduation.

The Public Service Scholarship is offered to a few incoming students and is renewable for the 2L and 3L years. This scholarship requires the student to remain in good academic standing at the end of each year, work both their 1L and 2L summers in the public interest, and work at least three years in public interest law after graduation.

UC Irvine Law Donor-Funded Scholarships

UC Irvine Law's donor-supported program consists of numerous endowments and scholarships funded by alumni and friends of the school, as well as law firms in our community. The applications will be available following an email announcement in early summer.

• Anteaters in Law Chapter UCIAA Scholarship
• Crowell & Moring UCI Law Scholarship
• First-Generation Law Students from Carol and Eugene Choi
• Carrie Menkel-Meadow and Robert Meadow Endowed Public Interest Scholarship
• Torkzadeh Family Endowed Law Scholarship

Outside (Private) Scholarships

To assist you in your search for outside private scholarships, we have provided a list of scholarship opportunities awarded by outside agencies. All outside agency scholarships have specific application procedures, criteria and deadlines. We encourage you to let us know of any other scholarships you find that may be available to others.

If you are awarded any outside agency scholarship, please advise the Office of Student Financial Services so that we may assist you in determining how the scholarship will affect your cost of attendance.

For a list of outside scholarships, please go to our Outside Scholarships page.

Scholarship Retention Data

The ABA Standard 509 requires all schools with conditional scholarships to post a conditional scholarship retention chart. The ABA’s definition of a conditional scholarship is: “any financial aid award, the retention of which is dependent upon the student maintaining a minimum grade point average or class standing, other than that ordinarily required to remain in good academic standing.” Scholarships are not conditional at UC Irvine School of Law. Renewal of scholarships requires good academic standing and full-time enrollment at the UC Irvine School of Law.

UC Irvine Law Academic Center Scholarships

At the end of their first year of law school, UC Irvine Law 1L students in good academic standing may apply for the Academic Center Scholarships in the following areas:

• Environmental Law
• Center for Law, Equality and Race (CLEAR)
• International Law

Along with other benefits, Center Scholars are awarded an increase of $10,000 on their current UC Irvine Law Scholarship for their second year of law school. Assuming they fulfill their responsibilities and invited back to return for their third year, they will again be awarded the $10,000 and other benefits for their third/final year of law school.

Please note: Total scholarship awarded by UC Irvine Law cannot exceed actually billed and assessed tuition and fees. Enrolled students who are eligible for and receive any University of California approved waivers, will have their Center Scholarship adjusted accordingly.

UC Irvine Law Public Service Scholarships

As an expression of the law school's commitment to supporting students interested in the public sector, continuing J.D. students may be considered for a Public Service Scholarship articulating their dedication for pursuing a career in public interest law after graduation.

The Public Service Scholarship is offered to select current students and is renewable for the duration of a student’s education at UC Irvine Law. This scholarship requires the student to remain in good academic standing at the end of each year, work all remaining summers in the public interest, and work at least three years in public interest law after graduation.

The current student Public Service Scholarship application is distributed via e-mail to current students in March and is due by April 15. Awardees are notified by July 1.

UC Irvine Law Donor-Funded Scholarships

UC Irvine Law's donor-supported program consists of numerous endowments and scholarships funded by alumni and friends of the school, as well as law firms in our community. The applications will be available following an email announcement in early summer.

• Carrie Menkel-Meadow and Robert Meadow Endowed Public Interest Scholarship

• Lee/Kim Family Endowed Law Scholarship Initiative to End Family Violence

Outside (Private) Scholarships

To assist you in your search for outside private scholarships, we have provided a list of scholarship opportunities awarded by outside agencies. All outside agency scholarships have specific application procedures, criteria and deadlines. We encourage you to let us know of any other scholarships you find that may be available to others.

If you are awarded any outside agency scholarship, please advise the Office of Student Financial Services so that we may assist you in determining how the scholarship will affect your cost of attendance.

For a list of outside scholarships, please go to our Outside Scholarships page.

UC Irvine School of Law Need-Based Grants

To ensure that the law school remains financially accessible, UC Irvine Law provides need-based grants to J.D. students to supplement other aid in an effort to decrease the potential debt burden incurred by students who have experienced or are experiencing extreme financial hardship. Students who wish to be considered for these need-based grants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  by the March 2 application deadline. Students not eligible to file a FAFSA and qualify for the AB540 fee exemption can submit the California Dream Application. The application is available at csac.ca.gov/california-dream-act .

Each student’s eligibility for a need-based grant is determined by utilizing the information submitted on the FAFSA and the California Dream Application. Eligibility for need-based grants is determined prior to the first year, and awards are automatically renewed up to a total of three years (six semesters), provided that full-time enrollment is maintained. Waiving the need to apply each year allows students to create a financial plan for all three years of the J.D. program while initial eligibility for need-based aid is subject to verification.

Native American Opportunity Plan

Starting in fall 2022, the University of California Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide mandatory tuition and fees are fully covered for California residents who are members of federally recognized  Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.

To be eligible for this award, students must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Newly admitted or a current law school student
2. California resident
3. Enrolled member in a federally recognized Native American, American Indian and/or Alaska Native tribe
4. Enrolled in a state-supported UC degree program

The main campus Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will coordinate with the School of Law Office of Student Financial Services to identify eligible students. They will notify new and continuing students who might be eligible for funding under the Native American Opportunity Plan with guidance on the next steps. Potentially eligible students must submit tribal enrollment documentation from their federally recognized tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). All documents must be uploaded to ZotAid student portal. Please log in with your UCInetID and Password.

Documentation may include any of the following:

• Certification of tribal enrollment on tribal letterhead
• Enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or official signature of a tribal leader
• Certification of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information
• Tribal identification card with an enrollment number

The Native American Opportunity Plan will fully cover UC systemwide tuition ($11,700) and Student Services Fees ($1,152) for eligible students. The maximum Native American Opportunity Plan award for the 2022-23 academic year is $12,852.

If you are already receiving the UC Irvine Law Scholarship, Need-Based Grant, UC Irvine Law Public Service Scholarship, and Donor-Funded Scholarship in the amount of the NAOP award, then the Native American Opportunity Plan promise has been satisfied. However, if your UC Irvine Law scholarship award does not fully cover UC systemwide fees and Student Services Fees, your Native American Opportunity Plan will cover the difference with additional funding.

Examples:

1. Your law school gift aid is $15,000. The Native American Opportunity Plan promise has been satisfied as your gift aid is greater than the NAOP award.
2. Your law school gift aid is $10,000. You would receive an additional aid amount of $2,852 under the Native American Opportunity Plan.