Amy and Frank Garrison Social Justice Scholar Application

Award Information

Each year, the Law School selects at least one Garrison Social Justice Scholar from among current first-year J.D. students who apply for the scholarship. Each Garrison Social Justice Scholar shall:

  • receive a supplemental annual scholarship of at least $7,5001 for the second and third years of law school
  • agree to pursue an academic curriculum in preparation for a social justice or public interest career
  • receive a summer fellowship stipend of at least $5,0002 during rising second-year and rising third-year summers
  • choose a public interest summer experience for both summers prior to graduation, with at least one summer focused on social justice3

During the spring semester of 2025, the Law School will select one member of the Class of 2027 from among those who apply. The Class of 2027 Garrison Social Justice Scholar Award includes a supplemental annual scholarship of $31,880 and two summer fellowship stipends of $6,000 for at least ten weeks in unpaid positions in the public interest sector each summer; one of these positions must be focused on social justice. If a Garrison Scholar works at a public interest organization offering compensation, the Scholar may receive a summer stipend so that all compensation totals no more than $7,500 for ten weeks.

Example Summer Positions:

  • Social Justice
    • Legal Aid Programs
    • Immigrant Legal Services Programs
    • Irish Center for Human Rights
    • ACLU
    • Public Defenders Offices
    • Southern Center for Human Rights
    • Legal Assistance programs for victims of domestic violence
    • International human rights organizations

    This list is not exhaustive and displays examples for Social Justice Summer. 

  • Public Interest
    • Judicial Chambers
    • U.S. Attorney offices
    • State Attorneys General
    • District Attorneys
    • International courts

    This list is not exhaustive and displays examples for Public Interest Summer. 

  1. The precise amount of the scholarship is determined each year. The Garrison Social Justice Scholar award includes an annual scholarship that supplements scholarships already received up to full tuition. Students currently receiving full-tuition scholarships are not eligible for Garrison Social Justice awards. Law School scholarship recipients pursuing dual degree programs receive Law School scholarship funds during the semesters in which they are enrolled in the Law School.

  2. The precise amount of the stipend is determined each year. 

  3. A "social justice summer experience" focuses on advancing and protecting the rights of individuals (or organizations aiding individuals), particularly those that may have been discriminated against or are otherwise unable or hindered in protecting their own rights to safety, equality and freedom, including but not limited to the poor (including the working poor and indigent criminal defendants), the elderly, the disabled, mentally ill and others deprived of their civil or human rights. A "public interest summer experience" could focus on serving the broader public interest in positions such as interns in judicial chambers, U.S. Attorney's Offices, government agencies, or non-governmental organizations.