Our friends and alumni believe in our students and the value of a legal education at Ohio State. That’s why they support numerous grants and scholarships to our students. They want to ensure that future generations of lawyers have the same benefits and advantages they enjoyed as students. Every student who applies to the Moritz College of Law is considered for a scholarship. Great consideration is given when awarding scholarships, with the prevailing philosophy reflecting a desire to provide financial assistance to students who:
- demonstrate a high level of financial need;
- are likely to excel in their legal studies;
- add to the diversity of the student body;
- show an aptitude for leadership; and
- have a record of public service
Applicants should complete the FAFSA at the earliest possible date. However, some scholarships have application deadlines so please be attentive to financial aid deadlines.
Scholarship Retention Data
2019-20
- Students Entering with *Conditional Scholarships: 0
- Students whose *Conditional Scholarships Were Reduced or Eliminated: 0
2018-19
- Students Entering with *Conditional Scholarships: 0
- Students whose *Conditional Scholarships Were Reduced or Eliminated: 0
2017-18
- Students Entering with *Conditional Scholarships: 0
- Students whose *Conditional Scholarships Were Reduced or Eliminated: 0
Pursuant to ABA Rule 509-4, “a conditional scholarship is any financial aid award, the retention of which is dependent upon the student maintaining a GPA or class standing, other than that ordinarily required to remain in good academic standing.” Good academic standing at the Moritz College of Law is a 2.0 GPA. For a full listing of scholarships, their criteria, and forms, please refer to the menu below
Scholarships & Grants
Awarded to students who have a record of significant academic accomplishment and potential for success in their legal studies, based primarily upon the cumulative undergraduate GPA and LSAT score(s). Applications for this award are not required, as all admitted students are considered automatically. The most competitive recipients typically have GPAs and LSAT scores above the law school medians. Academic Merit Scholarships are renewable for each year of law school, not to exceed three years total, and one must stay in good academic standing, which means maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.
The Moritz College of Law is committed to enrolling highly motivated individuals with strong academic potential who bring to the College a broad range of personal backgrounds and intellectual experiences. The College seeks to assemble a class that is both academically qualified and broadly diverse.
The Admissions Committee may consider diversity of thought, background, and experience in making admissions decisions. Examples of diversity factors that the Committee may consider include: age, disability, race, ethnicity, international status, geographic region, gender, sexual orientation, work experience, cross-cultural experience, cultural competency, current or past military service, exceptional or unique talents, socio-economic background, first-generation citizen, first-generation college student, and a commitment to public service. By its very nature, a standard cannot be articulated to embrace all of the positive manifestations of diversity that applicant files may reflect. And the examples above are intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive.
In an essay, up to two pages, you may provide any information you believe will assist the College in enrolling a diverse class. Applications for this award are not required, though applicants are highly encouraged to submit an essay that speaks to how their diverse life experience will contribute to educational exchange and the legal profession.
Please submit the essay as a part of your application. If you choose to submit it after you have applied, email the essay to lawadmit@osu.edu.
Diversity Enrichment Scholarships are renewable for each year of law school, not to exceed three years total, if recipients remain in good academic standing by maintaining a 2.0 GPA.
Each year, the Moritz College of Law awards Leadership Scholarships to students who demonstrate strong leadership potential. The scholarships are based on leadership qualities, professional and personal life accomplishments, past academic achievement, and commitment to making a difference in communities and organizations.
Applications for this award are not required, though applicants are encouraged to submit an essay (not to exceed two pages) that speaks to their leadership abilities. Please submit the essay as a part of your application. If you choose to submit it after you have applied, email the essay to lawadmit@osu.edu.
Leadership Scholarships are renewable for each year of law school, not to exceed three years total. In order to retain a Leadership Scholarship, one must stay in good academic standing, which means maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.
Michael E. Moritz ’61 created full, in-state tuition scholarships to help Ohio State attract and train students with outstanding academic and personal histories who are dedicated to improving the lives of their clients, their communities, and the profession of law. The scholarships are awarded to entering students only.
In addition to having their law school education paid for entirely and receiving a $2,500 supplemental stipend, these distinguished scholars are partnered with mentors who are recognized leaders in their industries. They meet with their mentors several times a year, including a special evening with other scholars and mentors in the fall.
More than 90 students have benefited from the Moritz family’s generosity since the scholarships were created in 2001. In many cases, these high-achieving students have not only enjoyed professional success without the burden of student loan debt, but they have been inspired by the Moritz story to contribute their skills and personal resources to other causes.
Criteria
The Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarships in Law are awarded to entering students only. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must take the LSAT by November 2022 and apply for admission to Ohio State by Jan. 1, 2023.
The applicant’s past academic performance, LSAT score, demonstrated capacity for leadership, contribution to the diversity of the law school community, and other factors indicating the applicant’s potential to excel in all aspects of the law school experience are considered by the selection committee.
Some students admitted to the Moritz College of Law, and identified as having the background and credentials qualifying them for consideration as potential Moritz Scholars, will be invited to complete the Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarships in Law Application. However, all are welcome to apply.
Application Materials & Selection Process
To be considered for a Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarship in Law, applicants need to submit the following:
- a scholarship application form online
- a directed response essay to lawadmit@osu.edu with your LSAC account number
- and letter of recommendation with the writer’s viewpoints on the applicant’s leadership and academic qualities via email or mail.
Applications, essays and letters of recommendation are to be sent no later than Jan. 18, 2023 to lawadmit@osu.edu or to the address below. Letters of recommendation can be sent directly from the recommender to the email address above. Applications received after the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarships in Law Selection Committee.
Materials are reviewed by the selection committee, which then selects a group of semifinalists who are invited to interview with a member of the committee. The interview may take place in person or by telephone/Skype.
Directed Response for Essay
Please respond to the following question in 750 words or less:
Leadership is an integral function of membership in the legal profession. Because of their training and understanding of the operation of the government, business, and society, lawyers have a greater responsibility, and more frequent opportunity, than other citizens to assume functions of leadership in society.
Envision yourself taking on a leadership role after law school in any area of your choosing. What would it be, why would you choose it, and how will it make a difference?
Mailing Address
Applications, essays and/or letters of recommendation that are mailed should be posted to: (email is highly encouraged)
Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarships in Law Selection Committee
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
55 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210-1391
The Moritz College of Law has a strong history of preparing students for careers in the public interest and in public service. Many of our students have, prior to entering law school, already devoted a significant amount of time, resources, and talent to work in the public interest or public service. These scholarships may be awarded to students with a demonstrated record of engagement in public interest and public service activities. Examples include, but are certainly not limited to, members of the military, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America and a wide range of other programs or activities.
Applications for this award are not required, though applicants are highly encouraged to submit an essay. Please submit the essay as a part of your application. If you choose to submit it after you have applied, email the essay to lawadmit@osu.edu. Public Service Scholarships are renewable for each year of law school, not to exceed three years total, if recipients remain in good academic standing by maintaining a 2.0 GPA.
Law students are eligible to apply for several university-wide scholarships with very specific criteria. The application deadline for these scholarships is Feb. 15. For application materials and eligibility criteria, visit the university’s Student Financial Aid page.