Loans & Scholarships

Ann Kimsey Scholarship
Each year, the Law School awards the Ann Kimsey Scholarship to entering 1L students that exhibit a strong academic record with exceptional character and leadership abilities. Scholarship recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at the conclusion of each academic semester and summer session of each academic year. Please note, if 2.5 GPA is not maintained at the conclusion of any academic semester or summer session, the scholarship is lost and will not be reinstated. Upon matriculation, the scholarship is applied to tuition and fees. The number of scholarships awarded each year will be determined by the Admissions Committee and the availability of funds.

Full-time student scholarships will be awarded and divided equally for the fall and spring semesters (no portion of the full-time student scholarship is awarded during the summer session). Part-time student scholarships will be awarded and divided over three terms: fall semester (37.5%), spring semester (37.5%) and summer session (25%). Part-time students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours during the summer session to receive the full summer session percentage of the scholarship award. Part-time students that retain the scholarship after the first and second academic semesters of any academic year, but take fewer than 6 credit hours during a summer session, will have an adjusted award based on the number of credit hours enrolled during the summer.

Please note, if a student switches from part-time to full-time enrollment, the scholarship award will not be adjusted to a full-time student scholarship. If a student switches from full-time to part-time, the scholarship will be adjusted downward to cover the same percentage of tuition as was covered as a full-time student. For example, if a student had a scholarship that covered 60% of his/her full-time tuition, the scholarship will be adjusted to cover 60% of the part-time tuition. Full-time enrollment means a student enrolled in 12 or more credits during any academic semester. Part-time enrollment means a student enrolled in 11 or fewer credits during any academic semester. Once a scholarship is adjusted it will remain as adjusted subject to remaining in satisfactory academic standing.

Dean’s Fellowship Scholarship
Each year, the Law School awards the Dean’s Fellowship Scholarship to exemplary incoming students. The scholarship is guaranteed as long as the recipient remains in satisfactory academic standing at the conclusion of each academic semester and summer session of each academic year. Please note, if satisfactory academic standing is not maintained at the conclusion of any academic semester or summer session, the scholarship is lost and will not be reinstated. Satisfactory academic standing means a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the completion of each academic semester or summer session. Books and fees are not included in the Dean’s Fellowship Scholarship award.

John E. Ryan Merit Scholarship
The John E. Ryan Merit Scholarship, in honor of the late Dean, was awarded to incoming students who exemplified his passion for education and the law profession. The Fall 2019 entering class was the last cohort to be extended this scholarship as it has now been replaced with updated and additional scholarships on this page. Remaining scholarship recipients must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA at the conclusion of each academic year to retain it. If the retention requirements are not met at the conclusion of any academic year, the scholarship is lost and will not be reinstated. For full-time students, the academic year ends after the spring semester. The academic year ends after the summer semester for part-time students. Upon matriculation, the scholarship is applied to tuition and fees. Conditional scholarship data may be found here.

John Marshall Scholarship
Each year, we award the John Marshall Scholarship to exceptional incoming students. The scholarship is guaranteed as long as the recipient remains in satisfactory academic standing at the conclusion of each academic semester and summer session of each academic year. Please note, if satisfactory academic standing is not maintained at the conclusion of any academic semester or summer session, the scholarship is lost and will not be reinstated. Satisfactory academic standing means a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the completion of each academic semester or summer session.
Full-time student scholarships will be awarded and divided equally for the fall and spring semesters (no portion of the full-time student scholarship is awarded during the summer session). Part-time student scholarships will be awarded and divided over three terms: fall semester (37.5%), spring semester (37.5%) and summer session (25%). Part-time students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours during the summer session to receive the full summer session percentage of the scholarship award. Part-time students that retain the scholarship after the first and second academic semesters of any academic year, but take fewer than 6 credit hours during a summer session, will have an adjusted award based on the number of credit hours enrolled during the summer.
Please note, if a student switches from part-time to full-time enrollment, the scholarship award will not be adjusted to a full-time student scholarship. If a student switches from full-time to part-time, the scholarship will be adjusted downward to cover the same percentage of tuition as was covered as a full-time student. For example, if a student had a scholarship that covered 60% of his/her full-time tuition, the scholarship will be adjusted to cover 60% of the part-time tuition. Full-time enrollment means a student enrolled in 12 or more credits during any academic semester. Part-time enrollment means a student enrolled in 11 or fewer credits during any academic semester. Once a scholarship is adjusted it will remain as adjusted subject to remaining in satisfactory academic standing.

The Alumni Referral Program rewards a one-time $500 tuition credit to accepted students who were referred to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School by one of its alumni. The tuition credit will be awarded to a student’s account following matriculation to the fall entering class. The credit is only applicable to incoming 1L students and may not be retroactively applied for after first semester billing. Please click here for the application.

The Alumni and Donor Scholarship

Deadline Friday, June 16, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The amount varies between $500 and $1,000 and can be used to cover tuition only.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website
Fall 2023 Application
*This scholarship has a limited amount of funds and will be closed once we have reached capacity. *

Established in 2021, The Alumni and Donor Scholarship Fund was created through the generosity of an anonymous donor, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Law School. The purpose of the scholarship is to support incoming students who demonstrate academic success and a need for significant financial aid. 

To be considered for this highly competitive scholarship you must: 

• Be accepted to AJMLS and have paid your seat deposit for Fall 2023 entry
• Be an incoming first-year student
• Be able to demonstrate academic success and a need for significant financial aid
• Complete the AJMLS scholarship application as well as the FAFSA to determine eligibility

Important facts about this scholarship:

• Scholarships could be awarded anywhere from $500.00 o $1,000.00  
• The scholarships will be given on a first come, first-served basis so you are strongly advised to apply as soon as you have been admitted. 
• Scholarships are for tuition only.
• This scholarship has a limited amount of funds and the application will be closed once we have reached capacity. Receipt of an application does not guarantee funds are available.

American Cancer Society Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
A $1500 amount will be awarded to two students annually and it can only be used to help cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website:
Fall 2023 Application

American Cancer Society’s mission is to eliminate cancer as a major health provider by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from the disease, through research, education, advocacy, and service. Families who are faced with cancer undergo severe physical, psychological, and financial strain. Many graduate students who are fighting cancer must often interrupt their education and cannot work to save money for school or participate in extracurricular activities. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery can be extremely debilitating, requiring extensive rehabilitation. Cancer survivors and care takers face so many challenges both emotionally and financially.

Graduate students who struggle with or succeed in their fight against cancer deserve assistance in their pursuit of a law education. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 8 million Americans have a history of cancer. Ambitious students who attend law school despite their health setbacks display impressive resolve. In an effort to acknowledge the wonderful generosity from the American Cancer Society to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, a scholarship has been created to provide additional assistance to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School students who are battling or have battled cancer at any point in their life. This includes those students who have a parent, sibling, or immediate family member that has battled cancer or is currently fighting cancer.

Recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee based on a brief application process which will be based on the applicants’ personal hardship and financial need. The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to two students annually, applied to tuition and fees only. Full-time and part-time 2L, 3L, and 4L students are eligible to apply

Andy Crawford Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
There is no application process for this scholarship. The student who meets the criteria will be notified.
The amount varies between $1000 and 3,000 and can only be used to help cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website

The Andy Crawford Scholarship Fund was established in 2011 by Pat Crawford to honor the memory of her son Andy Crawford, an AJMLS 1L student who passed away in 2010. Andy was a great friend, son, mentor, and he was a very generous and kind person. He loved being a law student and looked forward to building a career that reflected his desire to help others. This scholarship honors Andy’s memory by providing scholarships to deserving AJMLS students.

This scholarship is granted to a second-year law student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement as they matriculate in the Fall semester at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

The amount varies between $1,000 and $3,000.

Bobby Lee Cook Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The amount varies between $2,000 and $5,000 and can only be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to be awarded, found here on the website
Fall 2023 Application

This scholarship was established by a very generous donation from attorney Bobby Lee Cook. Bobby Lee Cook was widely recognized for his career as a prominent trial attorney and his representation in high profile criminal trials. This scholarship is intended to provide scholarship support to qualifying AJMLS students. 

To be considered for this highly competitive scholarship you must: 

• Apply before the deadline of Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
• Be a rising third-year law student, enrolled in the Fall 2022 semester
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student
• Must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA
• Be in good academic standing   
• Must have a demonstrated need for financial aid

Important facts about this scholarship:

• Scholarships could be awarded anywhere from $2,000.00 to $5,000.00.  
• Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates a commitment to practice law in Georgia and will use their legal training and skills to benefit the traditionally underserved communities.

Essay Requirement:

The application requires two essays. The essay prompts are as follows:

(1) Outline how you will give back to the state of Georgia after graduation?

(2) And highlight what you have done to assist those who are underrepresented?

John Marshall Law School Foundation Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The amount varies between $1,500 and $3,000 and can be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website
Fall 2023 Application

The mission and purpose of the John Marshall Law School Foundation, Inc., is to provide financial support, by means of funded scholarships and fundraising activities, to law students attending AJMLS, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds or underserved communities, and who show promise of succeeding in law school and who otherwise would not have the financial means to fulfill their educational goals.

To be considered for this highly competitive scholarship you must: 

• Can be either a 2L, 3L, or 4L enrolled in the Fall 2022 semester
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student
• Must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA
• Be able to demonstrate a need for significant financial aid

Important facts about this scholarship:

• Scholarships could be awarded anywhere from $1,500.00 to $3,000.00.  
• Preference will be given to a first-generation student and those who demonstrate the qualities that will make a successful attorney. This includes responsibility, honor, and service.
• Preference will be given to student leaders.

Essay Requirement:

The application requires one essay question and one optional question. The essay prompts are as follows:

• Outline the qualities of what makes a successful attorney? (Required)
• Tell us about your experiences as a student leader? (Optional)

Patent Law Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
This scholarship will reimburse Patent Bar Exam fees for two students up to $500.00 who is a member of an underrepresented racial and ethnic group who is exploring a career in IP law.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website

Fall 2023 Application

Eligibility:

See guidelines for criteria for the Patent Bar Exam: https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/OED_GRB.pdf

Criteria (you must meet all of the listed criteria to apply):

● A 2L, 3L or 4L enrolled student at AJMLS and has exemplified excellence in Intellectual Property academic studies
● Minimum 2.5 GPA
● Qualified to take the US Patent Bar
● Interested in pursuing a career in intellectual property law and has participated as a leader in intellectual property-related student activities for consideration
● The student must have registered for the exam and provide a receipt of payment with this application

If you meet all of the criteria listed above, complete the application.

Essay requirement:
To apply for this scholarship, you must answer the following question (1000-word max):
● Describe your interest and aspirations in patent law.

Additional requirement:
The student must also provide one professional reference and/or one academic reference who can share the student’s passion for Intellectual Property.

*This scholarship can be awarded for up to 2 students annually. *

The McCloud Law Firm Award

Deadline Friday, October 20, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
A $2,500 amount will be awarded to three students annually who are in their final year of law school to help cover bar exam costs.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website

Fall 2023 Application

The McCloud Law Firm Award will be awarded to a law student who identifies as a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group and is in their final year of study to aid in preparation for the bar exam. This award will be given directly to the student and the purpose is to help defray the costs associated with the exam.

The items taken into consideration are the following:

• Financial need
• Academic achievement
• Community service and leadership experience
• Extenuating circumstances in pursuit of a law degree
• First-generation student status

Criteria Requirements (You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply):

• The student must have filed a petition to graduate with and received a degree audit from the Office of the Registrar.
• The student must have filed an application for certification of fitness to practice law application during the regular fitness application filing period and provide proof of receipt.
• This student must have a financial need.
• The student must have a 2.5 GPA or higher.
• The student must identify as a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
• The student must be either a 3L or 4L and in their final year of law
  school.

Essay Requirement:

The application requires one essay question. The essay prompts are as follows:

• In 500 words or less – How do you intend to use your law degree to serve communities that are traditionally underserved? (Required)

This award will cover the cost of the bar application and bar exam preparation which can include fingerprint fees, driving record(s) fees, and other expenses associated with the Georgia Bar Exam.

Fees Associated with the Bar Exam:

• GA Bar Fitness Application Fee – $400.00
• GA Bar Examination Application Filing Fees (Two-Day Exam Application) – $442.00
• Additional fees may apply, such as fingerprint fees, driving record fees, miscellaneous fees, and supplemental bar prep materials.

This award provides three 3L students with a $2,500.00 award in their final year of study.

Melissa Hamrick Scholarship

There is no application process for this scholarship. The student who meets the criteria will be notified.

Criteria (you must meet all of the criteria below to apply):

• This scholarship is granted to a part-time law student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement as they matriculate in the Spring semester at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

The amount varies between $1,500 and $2000 and can only be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.

This fund was established to honor the memory of the late Melissa Hamrick, an Atlanta’s John Marshall law student who passed away in January 2009 from leukemia. Melissa was smart, funny, and witty. Although she was a student for only a short time, her adventurous spirit touched many at the law school. This scholarship fund was established by her classmate, Tracie Henderson (’10). Each fall, “every penny” in the fund is awarded to a deserving student in the form of a scholarship. Contact Wendy Aina at waina@johnmarshall.edu.

S. Bradley Houck Memorial Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The amount varies between $2,000 and $4,000 and can only be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website

Fall 2023 Application

S. Bradley Houck was born and raised in a small coal-mining town in Mullens, West Virginia. He attended Marshall University and graduated with honors in 1993 earning a BA degree in Criminal Justice. Brad attended Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, Georgia graduating with the highest honor and Valedictorian of his class in 1997. After law school, Brad worked with attorneys, Tommy Malone, and Adam Malone, handling catastrophic personal injury cases, and serving as second chair at trial for both Malones. After starting his law firm in 2003, Brad served as lead counsel in dozens of cases involving personal injury and medical malpractice. Brad is survived by his lovely wife and two children.

Criteria (you must meet all of the listed criteria to apply):

Volunteer experience is an experience you perform without pay. Your volunteer experience should be a formal experience you’ve had with a non-profit organization.

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester.
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student.
• Must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA
• Must be a 3L student.
• Upload the Community Service Letter from the non-profit organization supervisor in which you have volunteer experience with the other required materials.

Essay requirement:

The application requires TWO essay questions. Essay prompts are as follows: Choose from one of the following.

First Essay Question

1. Please describe a significant volunteer experience you have had within the last three years. How did this experience better the life of others?
2. Describe a civic/community service project in which you have been involved that you believe may be scaled to greater benefit. In doing so, focus primarily on how that scaling could be achieved.

*This is a two-part essay question. Suggested length is 500 words*

Second Essay Question

1. Please outline and detail your need for scholarship support. How will this scholarship support your journey of becoming an attorney?

*This is a two-part essay question. Suggested length is 200 words. *

The amount varies between $2,000 and $4,000 and can only be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.

Tawnie Adams Scholarship

Deadline Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
The amount varies between $500 and $1,000 and can only be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees.
You must meet all of the listed criteria to apply, found here on the website

Fall 2023 Application

This scholarship was established by students, faculty, staff, and friends in memory of Ms. Tawnie Adams, a third-year student who passed away due to health challenges in 2013. This scholarship is intended to provide scholarship support to qualifying AJMLS students. 

To be considered for this highly competitive scholarship you must: 

• Apply before the deadline of Friday, July 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST
• Be a rising second or third year law student, enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester.
• Must be a part-time student.
• Must be in good academic standing.  
• The student must be a member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers.

Important facts about this scholarship:

• Scholarships could be awarded anywhere from $500.00 to $1,000.00.  

Essay Requirement:

The application requires one essay. The suggested length is no more than 500 words.

Choose from the following either (1) or (2):

1. As a member of the GAWL how will you make a difference in the legal profession?
2. As a member of the GAWL how will you assist those in need of legal services?