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

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 2022 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 $1,000.00 to $3,000.00  
• 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’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

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 is a merit-based scholarship which is awarded to the top 2L student with the highest GPA as they enter their 2^nd year of law school. The student who meets the criteria will be notified.

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

Aspiring Public Defender Scholarship

Spring 2023 Application

Spring 2023 deadline of Friday, January 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Established by Meaghan Eustice, Class of 2015, Senior Staff Attorney with Fulton County Government and former Public Defender. Meaghan believes that working as a public defender is one of the highest callings in the legal profession. She has created a scholarship for law students interested in pursuing a career as a public defender.

The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to two students annually, applied to tuition and fees or via check to the student for school related expenses to a full-time or part-time AJMLS student. 2L, 3L, and 4L students are eligible to apply.

Bobby Lee Cook Scholarship

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 8, 2022, 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?

The Fry | Goehring Law Firm Scholarship

Spring 2023 Application

Randy Fry, Class of 1999, founding attorney of the Fry | Goehring Law Firm, former President of the AJMLS Alumni Association, and proud sponsor of the student lockers at AJMLS, believes that providing access and opportunities for law students will help them reach their full potential.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student annually, applied to tuition and fees or via check to the student for school related expenses. Full-time and part-time 1L, 2L, 3L, and 4L students are eligible to apply.

Georgia Bar Success Endowed Award

Spring 2023 Application

Established in 2022, the Georgia Bar Success Endowed Award was created by Chairman, Dr. Michael Markovitz, to provide support for students at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School who are about to take the Georgia Bar Exam and to provide the best chance at passing the bar. This award will cover the cost of the bar application and bar exam preparation which can include fingerprints fees, driving records(s), and other fees associated with the Georgia Bar Exam. This award will be given to two students annually.

John E. Ryan Endowed Scholarship

Spring 2023 Application

Please note this scholarship differs from the admissions merit scholarship of the same name. Scholarships awarded from this fund will go to benefit out-of-state students.

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

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student who relocated from out-of-state to attend law school at AJMLS.
• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester.
• Has completed at least one year of law school.
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student.
• Have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA.

Essay requirement: The application requires one essay question. The essay prompt is as follows:

1. Please explain why you believe you should be selected for this scholarship.

*Suggested length is 200 words.

The amount varies between $1,000 and $2,500 and can be used to cover tuition or other school fees.

This fund has been established to honor the late Dean Emeritus John E. Ryan. Scholarships awarded from this fund will go to benefit out-of-state students. The recipients will be chosen based on their potential to carry out the mission of the law school and succeed academically. John E. Ryan was known for leading AJMLS to Provisional ABA Approval in 2005. He was well known for this quote, “Raise the bar, and the students will rise to it”. This scholarship is open for students who meet the above listed criteria and who have exhibited moral character, grit, and intelligence.

John Marshall Law School Foundation Scholarship

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)

Judge G. Alan Blackburn Scholarship

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

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2022 semester.
• Must be a 1L student.
• This is a need-based scholarship.
• Must be a full-time student.
• Preference is given to students who are interested in public interest law and who are volunteering or serving in any area of public interest.
  • Please upload a letter of recommendation from a supervisor on organization or company letterhead. *Not required*

Essay requirement: The application requires one essay question. The essay prompt is as follows:

1. Outline and detail your need for scholarship support. Why do you need a scholarship?

Suggested length is 200 words.

The amount varies between $500 and $1,000 and can only be used to help cover tuition and mandatory fees.

This fund was established by the late Judge G. Alan Blackburn’s family in his honor. After serving four years on active duty in the United States Air Force, returned to Atlanta, and entered Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and later received his LL.M. degree from the Virginia School of Law. He engaged in private practice for twenty years and served as Administrative Law Judge for the Georgia Department of Medical Assistance, before being elected to the Court of Appeals in 1992. He was a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Georgia Association of Administrative Law Judges, the American Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia, and the Cobb County Bar Association.

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 listed criteria to apply):

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester.
• Must be a part-time student.
• Top 4^th ranked student of the part-time division.

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.

Merchant & Gould Scholarship

Spring 2023 Application

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

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester.
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student.
• Must identify as a member of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group
• Must be a student in good academic standing with an interest in IP law.
• Preference is given to students who are interning/externing, volunteering or serving in any area of IP law.
  • Please upload a letter of recommendation from a supervisor on organization or company letterhead.  *Not required*

Essay requirement: The application requires two essay questions. Essay prompts are as follows:

1. Please outline your interest in IP Law. Discuss your passion and preparation to practice IP Law.

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

• Please explain why you believe you should be selected for this scholarship.

*Suggested length is 200 words.

The amount varies between $2,500 and $5,000 and can be used to cover tuition or other school fees.

Merchant & Gould P.C., a national intellectual property law firm with clients in the Southeast region, is proud to sponsor a scholarship for Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School students seeking a career in intellectual property law and coming from diverse backgrounds. In addition to providing financial support, the firm wants to create opportunities and experiences for the next generation of IP attorneys. A cash gift of $5,000 merit aid shall be awarded for the law schools’ student(s) selection per year. The scholarship will be awarded in the spring of each year.

Patent Law Scholarship

Spring 2023 Application

Established by Chanceity Robinson, Class of 2019

Eligibility:

This scholarship will reimburse Patent Bar Exam fees to a student up to $500 who is a member of an underrepresented racial and ethnic group and who is exploring a career in IP law.

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

Criteria:

• A 2L, 3L, or 4L enrolled student at AJMLS and has exemplified excellence in Intellectual Property academic studies.
• Minimum 2.0 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.

To apply for this scholarship, you must answer the following question (1000-word max):

• Describe your interest and aspirations in patent law.

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

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

Renata Turner Award

Spring 2023 deadline is Friday, January 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Spring 2023 Application

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

• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School student enrolled in the Spring 2023 semester.
• Can be either a part-time or full-time student.
• Secure a public interest position for the 2023 summer semester.
• Must be a student in good academic standing.
• Open to all AJMLS Law students.
• Preference is given to students who have pro-bono and non-profit organization work and who are serving persons of limited means or work that enhances the capacity of a non-profit to promote justice.
  • Please upload a letter of recommendation from a supervisor on organization or company letterhead. *Not required*

Essay requirement: The application requires one essay question. The essay prompt is as follows:

1. Please explain why you believe you should be selected for this scholarship.

The amount varies between $2,000 and $4,000 and can be used to cover tuition or other expenses associated with their pro bono service.

The Public Interest Law Society presents an annual award to selected Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School students who have demonstrated a passion and a commitment to public interest legal work. The Renata Turner Award is designed to help students with the costs of performing unpaid public interest legal work over the summer. A blind panel of professors will select the award recipients based on the applications. Recipients will be announced at the annual PILS Auction. Please note that the amount of money awarded is contingent upon what is raised at the auction and other donations. The Renata Turner Public Interest Award is not compensation for work performed, but rather an award for a commitment and dedication to the community. Award recipients are permitted to receive academic credit for work performed at the student’s summer placement.

The award recipient will be notified in early March before the 2023 PILS Auction.

S. Bradley Houck Memorial Scholarship

Spring 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 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Must be a 3L student.
• Upload a recommendation letter from the non-profit organization (must be on their letterhead) in which you have volunteer experience.

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

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 8, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EST
• Be a rising second or third year law student, enrolled in the Fall 2022 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?