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Scholarships and Awards

SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS

Scholarships are available each fall and spring semester and cover a portion of the tuition and fees. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need and/or service to the community.

The following scholarship is available for students attending Monterey College of Law, San Luis Obispo College of Law, Kern County College of Law, Empire College of Law, or enrolled in the hybrid online program:

Board of Trustees Scholarships
Multiple scholarships are awarded each fall and spring semester by the Board of Trustees with funds contributed by them and other supporters of Monterey College of Law and its branch campuses in San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield. These scholarships are based on either financial need or academic excellence.

The following scholarships are available for students attending Monterey College of Law:

Justice Phil Gibson Scholarship
Endowed in memory of the Presiding Justice of the California Supreme Court from 1944 to 1964, the scholarship is awarded to a second, third, or fourth year law student on the basis of academic achievement.

Grover Hermann Scholarship
Endowed by his widow and friends in the legal profession, the Grover Hermann Scholarship is given each fall and spring semester on the basis of academic excellence to a second, third, or fourth year student.

JoAnn Quilty Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is given to an outstanding re-entry student (second, third, or fourth year). Re-entry is defined as someone who, like JoAnn, is pursuing a law degree to re-enter the workforce or change careers. This endowed scholarship was created with funds contributed by the family, friends, and classmates in memory of JoAnn Quilty, a MCL graduate who was killed in a plane crash.

Judge Edward J. Smith Scholarship
Endowed in his memory by his daughter and MCL Trustee, Patricia Smith Ramsey, this scholarship is awarded each fall to a First Year MCL Student in need of financial assistance.  Ms. Smith chose to direct this endowment specifically for entering MCL students in order to encourage individuals with academic ability and motivation to pursue their dream of a legal education, even in the face of financial restrictions.    

MCL Studyships
The Studyship was created from an endowment from former MCL Trustee member Patricia Smith Ramsey. The award is to be given to a fourth year student who is unable, because of financial obligations, to take an unpaid leave-of-absence from his/her/their job in preparation for the Bar exam.  This award will the student to take time off work in order to prepare for the Bar exam.
 
Monterey County Women Lawyers Association Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student in class year 2L or above in good academic standing. Service to the community in Monterey County is a priority. The successful candidate will also receive a one-year complimentary MCWLA membership. The scholarship is awarded in the Fall and Spring semesters.
 
Patricia Shanahan Memorial Scholarship
Established by Women Lawyers of Santa Cruz County in memory of their long-time Board member, this scholarship is awarded to a female MCL student who is in the second, third, or fourth year, is a resident of Santa Cruz County and demonstrates financial need. 
 
Jack Kadushin Scholarship
Endowed in his memory by his daughter, former MCL Dean Karen Kadushin, this scholarship is awarded each Spring to a Monterey College of Law student who demonstrates the capacity to successfully complete the J.D. program and pass the Bar Exam.
 

The following scholarships are available for students attending San Luis Obispo College of Law:

San Luis Obispo College of Law Advisory Board Scholarship
Established by the San Luis Obispo College of Law Advisory Board, this scholarship is awarded to students presently enrolled in SLOCL and reside in either San Luis Obispo or Northern Santa Barbara Counties and have shown excellent academic and work performance, volunteer service, and plans to contribute to the legal profession and the community upon graduation. 

2023 Scholarship Announcement and Application

Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo
Although not exclusively for students at San Luis Obispo College of Law, this scholarship is available to current law students or students accepted for enrollment in law school with a demonstrated connection to San Luis Obispo County.  This scholarship is open to all. 

 

The following scholarships are available for students attending Kern County College of Law:

 KCCL SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

KCCL Scholarship Application (pdf fillable) 

Academic Excellence Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded in the Fall semester to a second, third, or fourth year student with a cumulative GPA of 78.00 and above.  

Overall Achievement Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded in the Fall semester to a second, third, or fourth year student with a cumulative GPA of 75.00 and above.  

Veteran with U.S. Military Experience/First Responder Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded in the Fall semester to a second, third, or fourth year student who has a cumulative GPA of 72.00 and above.
*U.S. MILITARY: must have been honorably discharged from U.S. military services or in reserve service. 
*FIRST RESPONDER: must have had one year or more as a first responder before or during law school. First responders include police officers, firefighters, paramedics.

Alumni Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded in the Fall semester to a 4L student for financial assistance in their final year of study and particularly to assist during study for the Bar Exam."