CUNY Law Scholarships

All CUNY Law financial support is needs-based.
We are committed to supporting students who are experiencing financial hardship, are dedicated to public interest law and who bring meaningful experiences, resilience, and perspectives that strengthen our community. Our scholarships are designed to recognize students with substantial public interest experience, demonstrated commitment to public service, and the ability to overcome obstacles along their path to law school.

How to Apply

The scholarship application link is built directly into the CUNY Law 1L application. You can share more about your experiences, challenges, and financial need. You may answer as much or as little as you feel comfortable — no questions are required. All information is kept confidential and is only used to assess scholarship eligibility after you are admitted.

Supporting Documentation

A completed FAFSA is required as supporting documentation. If you cannot complete the FAFSA for any reason — including if it does not apply to you — please note that in your scholarship responses so the committee understands your circumstances.

Selection Criteria

The Admissions Committee reviews your law school application, supporting documentation, and your responses in the scholarship section. Selection is based on:

  • Financial Need
  • Commitment to a career in public interest law
  • Substantive public interest experience
  • Ability to contribute to the perspectives and experiences of the entering class

Scholarship awards are limited and made on a rolling basis.

Breaking Barriers

Our signature award, Breaking Barriers covers $24,000 over the course of your legal education, roughly half of in-state tuition. This multi-year award is contingent upon continued enrollment.

The Luis Sanjurjo Scholarship

The Luis Sanjurjo Scholarship was established in 2012 to honor Professor Luis Sanjurjo, a beloved educator and mentor at Medgar Evers College. The scholarship is awarded to students who embody his values, demonstrate a commitment to public service, and attended a CUNY undergraduate institution. This one year $1,600 award is applied in equal installments both the fall and spring semesters to the student account during the 1L year.