Scholarships and Grants

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Scholarships for New Students

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers merit-based, need-based, and opportunity-based scholarships. These scholarships are awarded by Vermont Law and Graduate School and made possible through the generous contributions of VLGS alumni and donors. Awards are granted based on academic achievements, community service, and other considerations.

It’s important to note that scholarships are awarded based on the program a student enrolls in. If a student changes programs or status, scholarship awards will be reevaluated accordingly. Scholarship recipients should be aware that the total annual scholarship and/or grant funding a student receives may not exceed a student’s annual standard tuition charges. This includes institutional, endowed and named scholarships, outside scholarships, and employer benefits. Students who receive scholarships and/or grants in addition to their merit-based award will have their institutional aid reduced if the total of their merit aid, scholarships, and/or grants exceeds their annual tuition charges.

For students who may qualify for Veterans Benefits, filing scholarship and financial aid applications before knowing your veteran’s benefits status may result in a preliminary award based on non-eligibility for VA funding. Once we are notified that you will be receiving veteran’s benefits, your financial aid award may be recalculated. While veteran’s benefits do not impact federal financial aid, they may affect institutional aid and scholarship eligibility. To determine eligibility, please contact your regional Veterans Benefit Clearing House by visiting www.gibill.va.gov. Your Certificate of Eligibility should be sent to the VLGS Financial Aid Office.

Vermont Law and Graduate School Scholar Awards

Recipients are selected based on their merit, academic promise, leadership strengths, and commitment to service. This renewable scholarship is awarded to new incoming students or transfer students for all degree programs. Award recipients must maintain a Vermont Law and Graduate School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and remain in good academic standing.

Applicable Degrees
All On-campus Degree Programs and the Online Hybrid JD Program

Application Process

All accepted applicants are considered for Vermont Law and Graduate Scholar awards. No separate application form is necessary.

Decision Process

Award decisions are mailed with the Admission Packet on a rolling basis beginning in January.

Criteria for Retaining Renewable Scholarships

Juris Doctor Awards

• Award amounts are divided equally based on program year
• Awards apply to the JD portion only of any joint degree
• Traditional JD- Annual award amounts are divided between fall and spring semesters and renewable up to three years
• Accelerated JD*- Award amounts are divided equally between two semesters of the six-semester program and are renewable every two semesters
• Extended JD- Applicants that plan to enroll in four-year extended track pay 80% of the published tuition fees for each of the four years and receive 80% of their scholarship funding each year
• Online Hybrid JD – Award amounts are divided equally over the 10 semesters
• Must maintain full-time enrollment
• Must maintain a Vermont Law and Graduate School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  

*This scholarship is for the Accelerated Juris Doctor program. Students admitted into the Fall start AJD are required to have a 3.0 VLGS GPA at the end of the Fall semester to continue in the AJD program. Summer Start Honors students do not have a GPA requirement to continue in the program. Students who decelerate from the AJD program will have their scholarships reallocated based on the new JD program.

Masters And LLM Awards (One-Year Programs)

• Renewable semester to semester
• Must maintain full-time enrollment
• Must maintain the required Vermont Law and Graduate School cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Award amounts are divided equally over all semesters based upon program

Mission Scholarships

VLGS’s Mission Scholarships support students who come to VLGS with a cause, and who want to use the power of the law to make a difference in their communities and the world.

Mission Scholarships are available to students pursuing careers in public service/social justice, and environmental stewardship—the core values of the Vermont Law and Graduate School education. The scholarship aims to provide not only financial support to students but to offer mentoring and research opportunities in the student’s chosen field.

Scholarship Benefits

• $3,000 Public Service Internship Stipend
• Targeted Academic Advising
• Scholar Dinners and Events
• Alumni mentorship
• Collaborative Research, Clinical, and Networking Opportunities:
  • Environmental Track: Present a cutting-edge environmental research paper as part of the Environmental Law Center Public Lecture Series; priority access to our six environmental law centers
  • Social Justice Track: Leadership roles in pro bono legal service and projects

Applicable Degrees

All JD Degree Programs

Application Process

• Applicants should submit an additional scholarship essay not exceeding 800 words with their completed JD application via LSAC.org. If an applicant would like to be considered after submitting a completed application, the scholarship essay can be sent via email to admiss@vermontlaw.edu.
  
  • Environmental Stewardship:
    Discuss your environmental commitment and goals for using a law degree in environmental advocacy, the experiences that have most significantly influenced your goals, or any other points relevant to your qualification for the scholarship.
    
  • Social Justice:
    Discuss your history of public service and connect that service to what you hope to do as a lawyer. Include in the essay what in your life has led you to the decision to pursue the public interest service you identify and what you anticipate will be the greatest challenges and rewards.
    

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline March 15. Later applications will be accepted and awarded based on funds availability.

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Scholarship materials may be uploaded with your JD application or emailed to Admissions at admiss@vermontlaw.edu. Priority deadline recipients will be notified by April 15. Interviews may be requested.

Need-Based Scholarships

Vermont Law and Graduate School funds a number of scholarships for students who meet specific criteria for financial need. For consideration, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [external link to: https://www.fafsa.ed.gov/]. International students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA may still complete the application form to be considered for need-based scholarship assistance.

Applicable Degrees
All On-campus Degree Programs

Application Process
Submit your FAFSA at FAFSA.gov

• Please respond to your financial aid award notification email to request consideration for need-based aid.

Application Deadline
Priority Deadline April 3. Later applications will be accepted and awarded based on funds availability.

Decision Process

The Financial Aid office will notify you of your need-based award beginning in late January.

First Nations Scholarship

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to supporting indigenous peoples, including the Abenaki communities in Vermont. The First Nations scholarship is available to Citizens of State and Federally Recognized tribes. Among other programs, the faculty of Vermont Law and Graduate School can help students to fashion individualized educational experiences in the field.

The purpose of the scholarship is to enable indigenous students to pursue careers in any of the many programs offered by Vermont Law and Graduate School, including JD legal degrees within the Law School and master’s degrees offered by the Graduate School and its School for the Environment and the Center for Justice Reform.

Scholarship Benefits

The First Nations Scholarship provides full and/or partial tuition scholarships to one or more candidates admitted to the JD, Master’s, or LLM degrees each year.

Applicable Degrees

All On-campus JD, Master’s, and LLM Degrees (JD, MARJ, MCEP, MERL, LLM in Animal Law, LLM in Energy Law, LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in Food and Agriculture Law).

Application Process

• Completed Application for the appropriate degree program.
• Submit the separate scholarship application to include a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your qualifications, experience, and commitment to public service germane to indigenous communities. Please use the following link.
  

On Campus Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

April 15th

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions.

NCORJ Scholarship

The National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) [external link to https://ncorj.org/] funds five (5) full-tuition scholarships to receive a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice. The NCORJ is a federally funded collaboration between Vermont Law and Graduate School, the University of Vermont, the University of San Diego, and the US Office of Justice Programs focused on improving criminal justice policy and practice in the United States.

Scholarship Benefits

Full-tuition award. Scholarship recipients are responsible for paying for any additional fees and costs of books.

Applicable Degrees 

Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice

Application Process

Note: Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree by the time of their enrolling in the PCRJ program.

• Submit your completed Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice application. 
• Submit the separate PCRJ Scholarship Application Form to include short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your financial need, interest and commitment to improving the justice system, and the experiences that have most significantly influenced those goals.
  

PCRJ Program Application

Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

Not accepting applications at this time. Anticipate that the application will open early May for Fall 2025 enrollment.

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. The National Center on Restorative Justice will notify applicants by July 28th whether they have been awarded the scholarship.

Adirondack Foundation Restorative Justice Scholarship

The Adirondack Foundation Restorative Justice Scholarship funds tuition for a year-round resident of the Adirondacks, or adjacent north country, to earn a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice through the Vermont Law and Graduate School Center for Justice Reform.

This scholarship covers tuition but does not include funding for fees or books. Restorative justice creates less punitive responses to harm and builds and strengthens communities and organizations through relational practices and inclusive participation. Restorative justice practices are expanding in the criminal justice, child protection, and educational fields. The Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice is available fully online or residentially. A strong priority will be given to applications from first-generation college graduates with an interest in working in justice systems, education, or with underserved populations.

The scholarship recipient will have two years to complete the three-course, nine-credit certificate program. Credits earned for the certificate may be transferred to the 30-credit Master of Arts in Restorative Justice. The recipient will be asked to make a presentation upon completion of the Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice and may be featured in publications by Vermont Law and Graduate School or the Adirondack Foundation.

Applicable Degrees

Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice

Application Process

• Submit your completed Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice application.
• Submit the separate PCRJ Scholarship Application Form to include a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your financial need, interest, and commitment to improving the justice system, and the experiences that have most significantly influenced those goals.
  

PCRJ Program Application

Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

Not accepting applications at this time. Anticipate that the application will open early May for Fall 2025 enrollment.

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Scholarship offers are expected to be made by August 10.

New Lens Restorative Justice Scholarship

The New Lens Restorative Justice Scholarship is awarded to one or more Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (MARJ) students committed to developing new ways of thinking about crime and justice. Applicants will be evaluated based on their commitment to addressing deficiencies in the justice system. The scholarship committee will also take into account the applicant’s academic excellence, potential for leadership, and financial need.

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers the only Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (MARJ) where students can take courses offered at both the Graduate and Law Schools. With a broad array of restorative and justice reform classes, our students learn about the philosophical and Indigenous underpinnings of contemporary Restorative Justice and acquire the facilitation and leadership skills to serve their communities and impacted parties. Our graduates work in the criminal legal system, community-based programs, education, child protection, law enforcement, health care, and many other fields.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers partial or full tuition, depending on how many candidates are offered the scholarship. The scholarship will be applied towards tuition only and may be combined with other VLGS institutional aid but cannot exceed full tuition. Scholars are required to remain in good academic standing throughout their program.

Degrees Applicable

Master of Arts in Restorative Justice (On-campus students Only) Fall new applicants

Application Process

• Completed MARJ program application.
• Submit the On Campus Scholarship Application to include a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 800 words) that discusses your interest and commitment to improving the justice system and the experiences that have most significantly influenced your goals, or any other points relevant to your qualification for the scholarship, including financial need. Please use the following application form.
  

Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

April 15th

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Scholarship offers are expected to be made by May 30th. Applicants are expected to notify VLGS about whether they accept the scholarship by mid-June.

George Perkins Marsh Conservation Scholarship

The Marsh Scholarship is awarded to one or more Masters or LLM candidates each year. The Environmental Law Center welcomes applications from candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship as exemplified by the works of George Perkins Marsh and as reflected in the ELC’s Mission Statement.

Scholarship Benefits

Partial tuition award. Amount varies based on how many candidates are offered the scholarship.

Applicable Degrees

All On-campus Environmental Master’s and LLM Degrees (MCEP, MERL, LLM in Animal Law, LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in Food and Agriculture Law, LLM in Energy Law).

Application Process

• Completed Master’s or LLM program application.
• Submit the separate On Campus Scholarship Application to include a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your qualifications, experience, and commitment to public service. Please use the following link.
  

Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

April 15th

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. The Environmental Law Center will notify applicants by April 30th whether they have been awarded the scholarship and the amount of the award.

Environmental Law Center International Scholarship

The ELC International Scholarship is awarded to one or more international LLM or Masters candidates each year. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide international students who are not eligible for financial aid in the United States the opportunity to study environmental law at Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Scholarship Benefits

Partial to full-tuition award depending on how many candidates are offered the scholarship.

Applicable Degrees

All On-campus Environmental Master’s and LLM Degrees (MCEP, MERL, LLM in Animal Law, LLM in Environmental Law, LLM in Food and Agriculture Law, LLM in Energy Law).

Application Process

• Completed Master’s or LLM program application.
• On Campus Scholarship Application to include a short scholarship essay (not to exceed 500 words) that discusses your qualifications, experience, and financial need. Please use the following link.
  

Scholarship Essay Application Form

Application Deadline

May 1

Decision Process

All applications and scholarship materials are submitted to the Office of Admissions. Interviews may be requested. The Environmental Law Center make the final award decisions. Applicants will be notified by the end of April whether they have been awarded the scholarship and the amount of the award.

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Online Learning Student Scholarships

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers limited Master’s and LLM scholarships to our online degree students. The awards are based on academic abilities, achievements, leadership potential, and financial need.

Scholarships are awarded to students who matriculate in the term the scholarship is offered. Deferred enrollment forfeits the scholarship award. Scholarships are awarded based on the 5-semester program, split between each term, and applied directly towards tuition.

To retain the scholarship, students must successfully complete their first term and remain in good academic standing throughout the program. Scholarships are not offered every term and are subject to funds availability. Please contact your enrollment advisor for more information or email admiss@vermontlaw.edu.

All scholarship materials should be sent to admiss@vermontlaw.edu and must include a clear reference to the scholarship that the applicant is applying for.