Commonwealth Scholars Program

Applicants entering as first-year students are eligible to participate in Penn State Law's Commonwealth Scholars Tuition Grant Program. Here's how it works:

• All Pennsylvania residents admitted to Penn State Law by April 1 for enrollment as 1Ls in the following fall semester will automatically receive a free $20,000 tuition grant, renewed each year for a total tuition savings of $60,000. The grant will be applied toward J.D. tuition at Penn State Law only. 
• The program provides a total tuition savings of $60,000 over three years--$20,000 per year, renewable so long as the recipient remains enrolled at Penn State Law in good standing.
• The grant will be applied toward J.D. tuition at Penn State Law only. 
• All Pennsylvania residents who apply will be considered for additional scholarship aid based on other performance criteria as well as need. 
• This award cannot be stacked with the Blue & White Alumni Grant.

Of course a $60,000 grant is only one reason to apply. Here are a few more:

• The opportunity to study on Penn State's University Park campus with its interdisciplinary study options and cultural, social, and athletic extracurricular activities. 
• Our faculty includes top scholars and practitioners, including federal judges, Fulbright Scholars, and specialists in emerging areas like intellectual property, energy, and internet law.
• Eleven clinics plus a vast array of externships and pro bono experiences that can give you practical experience before the job hunt. Penn State Law students hold externships in the University General Counsel Office, NCAA Compliance Office, federal and state courts, and public interest organizations, among many others.
• Externships Everywhere, our program that gives you the ability to craft your own legal externship in practically any location around the world without interrupting your studies. 
• Joint degrees with Penn State's top-ranked graduate schools like the Smeal College of Business and the School of International Affairs.
• The Penn State alumni network, consisting of more than 700,000 graduates living around the world.

Interested? Let us tell you more. 

Fill out our contact form to get in touch with the Admissions Office.

The Commonwealth Scholars Grant and Blue & White Alumni Grants are guaranteed to applicants meeting grant criteria who are admitted before April 1. Applicants admitted after that date will be eligible for other Penn State Law-funded scholarships. No additional applications are required for Penn State Law-funded scholarships or grants. Admitted applicants are not able to receive both the Commonwealth Scholars Grant and the Blue & White Alumni Grant, as they are mutually exclusive. The grants may be stacked with other scholarships, need-based aid, or third party awards or funding. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a fee waiver?

If you listed Pennsylvania as your permanent state of residence, we have already arranged for you to receive a fee waiver through LSAC. If you did not register for CRS, simply email us at admissions@pennstatelaw.psu.edu and include your name, LSAC number, and undergraduate school, and we’ll make sure you receive a fee waiver as well.

What proof of residency do I need to get the $20,000 grant?

The Admissions Office determines a student's residency status based on the information provided on the student's application. Details on Pennsylvania residency requirements can be found here.​

If I am eligible for the Commonwealth Scholars Program, will I be considered for other scholarships and need-based aid?

Yes. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships, including full tuition scholarships. 

I am a Pennsylvania resident and a Penn State graduate. Can I receive both the Blue & White Alumni Grant and the Commonwealth Scholars Grant?

No. Students may not receive both the Commonwealth Scholars Grant and the Blue & White Alumni Grant. Penn State alumni enrolling at Penn State Law will receive the Blue & White Alumni Grant only, regardless of their permanent residency.

I am enrolled at another law school and wish to transfer to Penn State Law. Do I get the $20,000 tuition grant if admitted?

No. The tuition grant is for those entering Penn State Law as first-year J.D. students.

I am a current Penn State Law student and Pennsylvania resident. Can I apply for the $20,000 grant for my second or third year?

No. The tuition grant is for those entering Penn State Law as first-year J.D. students.

Is the continuation of the grant from year to year conditioned on some level of academic performance?

The only requirement for retaining the grant in the second and third year of law school is to maintain good standing.  

Will the grant limit my ability to receive a scholarship?

No. Grant recipients may receive a scholarship in addition to the grant.  

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