Special application scholarships

Douglas R. Nash Native American Law Scholarship

Because Native Americans represent one of the smallest bars in the nation, Seattle U Law is committed to increasing the number of American Indians and Alaska Natives who attend law school and practice law.

Amount

Three-year, full-tuition

Eligibility

• Be an admitted Seattle U Law student. Please note that you may apply for this award before receiving an admission decision.
• Be an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe or a lineal descendant of an enrolled parent or grandparent.
• Have demonstrated commitment to Native American or Alaska Native issues, academic achievement, and potential for success in law school.

Application procedure

• Deadline: March 15
• Submit a complete JD application through LSAC (including a valid LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next score) by the deadline.
• In addition to the JD application, submit the following directly to the Office of Admission:
  • A two-page statement discussing commitment to and involvement in Native American or Alaska Native issues. Submit your statement as a PDF or MS Word document to: lawadmis@seattleu.edu.
  • Optional but strongly encouraged: a letter of support from a tribal elder. The elder does not need to be from the same tribe as the applicant. The tribal elder letter should be submitted as a PDF or MS Word document to: lawadmis@seattleu.edu.

For more information about the scholarship or the application process, contact the Admission Office at: lawadmis@seattleu.edu.

Outlaws Civil Rights Scholarship

Established by retired Professor Julie Shapiro to provide support for a student actively committed to and engaged in public interest law that benefits the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (“LGBTQ”) community.

Amount

$2,500 awarded as part of the recipient's financial aid package for the 2025-26 academic year. Students may receive the award more than once but must reapply each year.

Eligibility

Entering students and current 1L, 2L and part-time 3L students, chosen on the basis of:

• Demonstrated track record and history of working on significant, topical issues that he/she plans to build on throughout and after law school.
• Work within diverse communities, e.g., LGBTQ immigrants or underserved areas.

Application procedure

Deadline: TBD

Submit the following:

• Current resume
• Cover letter explaining work and future plans/interests. Examples of public interest work might include: traditional civil rights, immigrants, medical care with youth, the disabled, the elderly, low-income housing, a legislative forum and/or international work.

Email your materials to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Roundglass Scholarship (LLM students)

Amount: Full tuition

Eligibility: Applicants must be from the Punjab state in India and seeking a Master of Laws (LLM) degree

Details: One full-tuition scholarship is available each year to a student from the Punjab state in India, made possible through the Roundglass India Center. The recipient is selected based on both need and merit.

To apply: Applicants should email llm@seattleu.edu for further information. 

Scholars for Justice Award

Since 2006, the Scholars for Justice Award has supported Seattle University School of Law students committed to advancing justice through public service. More than a scholarship, it is a leadership opportunity grounded in community service, and a shared commitment to building a more just and inclusive legal system. Scholars receive full tuition support for all three years of law school, enabling them to pursue public interest careers without the burden of law school tuition.

A Community Rooted in Service and Impact

For over 25 years, the Access to Justice Institute (ATJI) has inspired and equipped law students to pursue public service, lead with integrity, and advance justice in every community they serve. Scholars for Justice are part of this legacy. Through ATJI, Scholars engage in meaningful pro bono work, explore public interest career pathways, and build relationships with advocates and organizations addressing critical legal needs. This experience reflects ATJI's core belief that every lawyer has a role to play in advancing equity and strengthening communities.

What Scholars Gain

Scholars for Justice is designed to support both your legal education and your long-term impact as a public interest leader.

As a Scholar, you will receive:

• A full-tuition scholarship for all three years of law school.
• Individualized mentorship and support through ATJI.
• Priority access to pro bono and public interest opportunities.
• Opportunities to engage with a statewide network of attorneys, alumni, and community partners.
• Leadership development grounded in service, collaboration, and community engagement.

A Commitment to Justice

Scholars for Justice are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to public interest and their potential to contribute meaningfully to the communities they will serve.

As a Scholar, you will be expected to:

• Engage in pro bono and community-based service throughout law school.
• Participate in ATJI programming.
• Represent ATJI within the law school and the broader legal community.
• Take the Pro Bono Pledge and complete at least 100 hours of legal pro bono and community volunteer work before graduation.
• Pursue a career that advances access to justice following graduation and complete a minimum of one year of public service work within three years of graduation.
• Graduate with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Who Should Apply

We are looking for students who are deeply committed to public service and who see the law as a tool for advancing equity and justice.

Strong candidates may have:

• Demonstrated involvement in public service, advocacy, or community work.
• A clear interest in pursuing a public interest or public service career after graduation.
• Lived experience or perspectives that inform a commitment to justice.
• A desire to be part of a collaborative, service-driven community.

Application procedure

To be considered for the Scholars for Justice Award, applicants must complete the regular JD program application through LSAC by February 6. Applicants must also provide by February 6:

1. A maximum two-page, double-spaced, typewritten essay addressing their commitment to public service and how they would contribute to the mission of the program. This essay is required in addition to the JD application personal statement. Essays should be submitted online here.
2. Up to two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant's public interest and/or social justice involvement. These can be additional letters or two of the letters already included in the regular JD application CAS Report. If submitting additional letters not included in the CAS Report, please have the recommender upload letters on your behalf using the online Scholars for Justice Award Recommender Upload form.

For more information about the scholarship or the application process, contact the Admission Office at: lawadmis@seattleu.edu.