Pepperdine University School of Law

Admissions

Scholarships and Grants

Pepperdine University awards a considerable number of scholarships and grants. Many of these awards are made available by the allocation of University general funds, as well as the generosity of donors by means of endowed funds and alumni contributions. Financial aid, in the form of scholarships and grants, is based on full-time enrollment, financial need, academic merit and personal achievement. Scholarships and grants are considered a component of the student's financial aid award and cannot exceed the cost of attendance. If a student is awarded a scholarship, which exceeds the cost of attendance, the financial aid package will be adjusted accordingly.

Faculty Scholars

All applicants for admission to the full-time Juris Doctor program at Pepperdine University School of Law are eligible to apply for the prestigious Faculty Scholars Award. This award is granted to applicants who demonstrate academic excellence and personal achievement, without regard to financial need. It is recommended that applicants have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and an LSAT score in the 93rd percentile. Full tuition plus a five thousand dollar stipend is awarded for the first year of law school. Each year thereafter, scholarship renewal is contingent upon finishing in the top third of the class.

The Faculty Scholar application must accompany a letter responding to the following:

For consideration, the Office of Admissions must receive a complete admission file, Faculty Scholar application and letter no later than January 10th.

Dean's Scholarship
All applicants for admission to the full-time Juris Doctor program at Pepperdine University School of Law with an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher and an LSAT score in the 88th percentile are considered for the Dean's Scholarship. No formal application is required. The scholarship amount varies dependent upon funding and the number of qualified applicants, typically ranging from one-fourth to full tuition. Dean's Scholarships are awarded annually and are renewable contingent upon the student being in the top third of the class at the close of each academic year.

Diversity Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships are available to students who bring significant diversity to the student body. Diversity encompasses qualities and characteristics, which include, but are not limited to racial or ethnic origin, unique work or service experience, and/or a history of overcoming disadvantage. Scholarship amounts vary dependent on funding and the number of qualified applicants.

For consideration, the Office of Admissions must receive the Diversity Scholarship application no later than February 1st.

President's Scholarship
The President's Scholarship is awarded to students who are active members of the Church of Christ. A letter, verifying active membership, must be submitted from an elder of the student's church. The student must submit a verification letter each year, prior to the start of classes, in order to renew his or her President's Scholarship eligibility.

Law School Grant
The Law School Grant gives priority to students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Financial aid files must be complete by April 1st for first-year and transfer students and May 1st for returning students in order to be considered.

*Please note that all of the above mentioned scholarships and grants are applicable to students enrolled in the Juris Doctor program during the fall and spring semesters only. These funding programs are not awarded during summer or winter sessions or to students who are visiting another school during the nine-month academic year.

School of Law Restricted and Endowed Scholarships

(Available to currently enrolled School of Law students only. Application period is October of each academic year.)

The generosity of our donors enables the School of Law to award annual restricted and endowed scholarships. Each year, a number of deserving, currently enrolled School of Law students are selected for these scholarships based on financial need, academic merit and personal achievement. Students are notified via WaveNet of the following scholarship opportunities:

Associated Women for Pepperdine (AWP) Scholarship
Associated Women for Pepperdine is a group of Church of Christ women who raise funds each year to assist deserving members of the Church of Christ attend Pepperdine University's Seaver College, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and School of Law. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, merit, character, and church membership.

Armenian Student Scholarship
This scholarship, was established by Khajak Kassabian, a 1997 School of Law alum, to assist law students of Armenian heritage.

Beck-Pfann Memorial Scholarship
Family members and friends have established this scholarship for second-year students in honor of R. Michael Beck and C. Lori Pfann, who had completed their first year at Pepperdine University School of Law and were engaged to be married at the time of their death in an automobile wreck. This fund assists qualified students through a tuition credit. Community service, academic achievement, financial need, and extracurricular activities will be considered.

Beverly Hills Bar Association Foundation Scholarship
Each year the Beverly Hills Bar Association awards scholarships to deserving and economically disadvantaged students. Application processing and deadline will be announced in the Law School Dicta.

David and Camille Boatwright Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is for students pursuing a Law degree that are in good standing in all areas of the University.

A. Glenn Braswell Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by A. Glenn Braswell for law students with interest/experience in the health care, pharmaceutical, or nutritional supplements industry, and a strong record of character and high ethics.

Ann Marie Bredefeld Scholarship
This scholarship is for students who share the Christian values of Pepperdine.

Margaret Martin Brock Scholarship in Law
The individuals selected each year to receive this scholarship are designated as Margaret Martin Brock Scholars. This scholarship fund was established by the late Mrs. Margaret Martin Brock, nationally recognized civic leader and longtime friend of the University and a founding member of the Law School Board of Visitors.

Kae and Kay Brockermeyer Endowed Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by Kae and Kay Brockermeyer of Wilson, Wyoming to assist deserving law students who have an interest in trial advocacy and are residents of the state of Texas. The Brockermeyer's son, Brant, is a 1996 graduate of the Law School. Kae Brockermeyer has served in the School of Law Board of Visitors.

Shirley J. Brooke Endowed Scholarship
This fund was established to be awarded to a female law student who demonstrates above average academic achievement.

Athalie Clarke Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship, funded by the late Athalie Irvine Clarke, will provide assistance to qualified law students. Mrs. Clarke was a community leader in Orange County and Los Angeles and a founding member of the School of Law Board of Visitors.

Brian Dane Cleary Memorial Scholarship
Family members and friends have established this annual scholarship to memorialize the life of Brian Dane Cleary, a member of the Class of 1991, who died in a car accident 18 days before graduation. The fundamental goal of this scholarship is to assist a well-rounded, financially-needy student, in the bottom 75% of his/her class. Belief in God is very important; but religious denomination is not. A personal interview is required.

Andrew Cochrane Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is intended to pay for mental health services for law students in need of such services, but having difficulty affording them.

James E. Copeland Special Needs Scholarship
This scholarship fund was established by James E. Copeland to assist School of Law students with special financial needs.

Darling Foundation Endowed School of Law Scholarship
The Darling Foundation has generously supported the School of Law in many important projects as well as this endowed scholarship. The sole trustee of the Foundation, Richard Stack, is a member of the Pepperdine University School of Law Board of Visitors. The scholarship was established to assist deserving students.

The Hugh and Hazel Darling Dean's Scholarship
This scholarship is to encourage students to stay at the School of Law. Academic excellence and involvement are important.

Ashley M. DeLorenz Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for the best advocate in the annual Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition.

Edward D. Di Loreto-Odell S. McConnell Scholarship
The late Edward D. Di Loreto, a longtime friend of the University and a major influence in the acquisition of the Orange University College of Law by Pepperdine University in 1969, founding member of the School of Law Board of Visitors, and the late Odell S. McConnell, founder of the Odell McConnell Law Center, home of Pepperdine University School of Law, established a scholarship to aid deserving students of high scholastic standing who are in need of financial assistance.

Kimberly Dawn Ellis Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established by the Ellis family to be given to a first-year Jewish law student in order to perpetuate the memory of their daughter. She was tragically killed by a drunk driver on PCH on December 9, 1997, during her first final exams. A garden (Kim and Jeannine's Garden) located at the entrance to the Law School was dedicated to her memory and to the other first-year law student who was also killed in the accident. Eligible students are requested to submit a letter of application detailing their academic qualifications, community and Jewish involvement, career goals and financial need.

R. Wayne Estes Endowed Scholarship Fund
This endowed scholarship was established by former students of Professor Emeritus R. Wayne Estes, along with colleagues and friends. Wayne Estes, in addition to being a very popular professor who has taken a great personal interest in the professional careers of his students, has also developed an enviable reputation in the field of arbitration. He served as associate dean of the School of Law during the critical time of its move from Orange County to Malibu. Deserving students receive scholarship assistance from this fund.

Judge McIntyre Faries Scholarship
This scholarship was established by John Herklotz to honor an exceptional California jurist, the late Judge McIntyre Faries, who served on the Superior Court bench for over twenty years.

Froberg-Suess JD/MBA Scholarship
This scholarship was established by alums Jay A. Froberg and Greg Suess, to assist JD/MBA students that have successfully completed at least one semester of law school and one semester of business school. Applicants are required to make a moral pledge to give back to the scholarship fund within five (5) years from the date of graduation from Pepperdine's JD/MBA program. Each recipient who fulfills this moral pledge will be entitled to have his or her name added to the scholarship fund.

Gerald Garner Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in the memory of Gerald Garner who was a member of the George Pepperdine Society Chancellor's Circle and a supporter of many activities of the University.

Terry M. Giles Honor Scholar Program
An honor scholar program is provided each year by Pepperdine University School of Law alumnus and Board of Visitor member Terry M. Giles (class of 1974). The Terry M. Giles Honor Scholar is a third-year student selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, personality, and character. A personal interview with the donor is required for this scholarship.

Guy P. Greenwald Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by the late Guy P. Greenwald, attorney and Pepperdine friend to provide scholarships for worthy and needy law students.

Jeannine Gregory Scholarship Fund
Family members and friends have established this scholarship in memory of this first-year law student, a member of Class 2000, who died in a car accident during her first semester of law school. Scholarships will be provided to help financially needy law students.

Warren and Rosalie Gummow Endowed Scholarship
Rosalie and the late Warren Gummow, strong supporters of Pepperdine University School of Law and parents of Todd A. Gummow, a 1986 School of Law graduate, fund this endowed scholarship for students based on financial need and/or merit.

Mark and Michelle Hiepler Endowed Scholarship Fund
This scholarship, established by Mark (class of 1988) and Michelle (class of 1989) Hiepler in memory of Nelene Hiepler Fox, provides $1,000 to be divided between the writers of the Best Respondent's Brief and Best Petitioner's Brief in the yearly Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition. Other scholarships will be awarded looking at need, academic study, community involvement, and health care law interest or health care background. Mark Hiepler serves on the School of Law Board of Visitors.

Fred and Lucille Hirsch Endowed Scholarship
The late Fred and Lucille Hirsch were devoted friends of the School of Law. The scholarship which they funded assists qualified students.

JD/MBA Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is restricted to students who are enrolled in the joint JD/MBA program at the School of Law and the Graziadio School of Business and Management. Students must be in good standing with the university.

Woodrow Judkins Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is for law students who are in good academic standing.

JSR Foundation Endowed School of Law Scholarship
The JSR (Joan Stuart Richard) Foundation has generously provided funding for this endowed scholarship to assist deserving students with financial need.

Kerrigan Scholarship Foundation
The scholarship was established by Sharon Kerrigan, a 1992 School of Law alumna, and the Kerrigan Family Charitable Foundation to assist single-parent mothers at the School of Law.

Krist-Reavley Minority Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by noted trial attorney Ronald D. Krist and his wife, Carole, to assist deserving ethnically diverse students and to honor U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit Judge Thomas M. Reavley and his wife, Florence. The Krists' daughter, Karyn, is a 1993 alumna of the School of Law. Mr. Krist and Judge Reavley are longtime members of the School of Law Board of Visitors.

Martha Delman and Milton Arthur Krug Endowed Law Scholarship
The late Martha Delman Krug, a loyal friend of Pepperdine University and a respected leader in the Law Affiliates of Los Angeles, provided funds for this scholarship. Her late husband, Milton Arthur Krug, was a distinguished attorney. Scholarship assistance will be awarded to qualified law students.

Julia Kwan Endowed Scholarship
The Julia Kwan Endowed Scholarship was established with a generous gift by Julia Kwan to assist students with financial need who are pursuing a graduate degree at the School of Law.

Albert J. and Mae Lee Memorial Scholarship
The Albert J. and Mae Lee Memorial Scholarship was established as a gift from the Mae Lee Estate in 2003 and is restricted to students with above average scholastic ability who are in need of financial assistance at the School of Law.

Dr. Clara Lincoln Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is for students at the School of Law with financial need who intend to pursue a career in domestic or family law. Recipients must be in good standing in all areas of the University.

Mager Scholarship in Law
This scholarship is for law students who are in good academic standing.

Greg Matthews Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Greg Matthews through private donations made by his family and friends. Greg was a third-year law student at the time of his death in 1982. Scholarship recipients are chosen on the basis of financial need and/or merit.

Odell S. McConnell Scholarship
The late Odell S. McConnell, a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School and a distinguished legal counselor for more than half a century, was the founder of the Odell McConnell Law Center in which Pepperdine University School of Law is located, and a founding member of the School of Law Board of Visitors. He established this scholarship to assist deserving students.

John Merrick Law Scholarship
Friends of long-time Malibu judge John Merrick have established this fund to honor his extraordinary service to the community and to Pepperdine University and its School of Law. Judge Merrick has served on the School of Law Board of Visitors and been a member of the adjunct faculty. He is one of Malibu's most beloved citizens. Preference for this scholarship is given to those with an interest in public service.

Charles I. Nelson Endowed Scholarship Fund
This endowed scholarship fund honoring Professor Charles I. Nelson, was established by Kae Brockemeyer, a former law school classmate, and his wife, Kay, and by Pepperdine alumni, faculty and friends. Charles Nelson, the second individual hired as a full-time faculty member at the School of Law, has been a most effective teacher and has served as assistant and associate dean during his tenure. Scholarship assistance is awarded to qualified individuals.

Gunnar Nicholson Endowed Scholarship
A restricted fund has been established to provide scholarships to deserving students by the Gunnar Nicholson Estate. Mr. Nicholson was a pulp and paper industrialist, who was widely recognized as one of the leaders responsible for the southern United States producing nearly seventy percent of the nation's pulp.

Patti Paniccia Law Scholarship
This scholarship, funded by 1981 alumna and School of Law Board of Visitors member Patti Paniccia, is intended to provide assistance to a male or female student who is actively parenting a minor child while in law school.

Phi Delta Phi Scholarship
An annual Phi Delta Phi scholarship auction has been established to fund an annual scholarship award. Criteria for selection of this scholarship include financial need, public service, extracurricular activity and academic record.

Jamie Phillips Endowed Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established in memory of Jamie Phillips, wife of School of Law Dean Emeritus Ronald F. Phillips. She played a critical role in the development of the school, constantly at the side of Dean Phillips, and fully engaged in all of the school's activities. For twenty-six years, she helped define the nature of Pepperdine University School of Law, beginning in 1970, near the time of its birth. She considered the law school community as extended family and worked, entertained, and invested her time, talents and energy tirelessly in its behalf. This scholarship, bearing her name, provides funds for deserving students.

John Purfield Endowed Scholarship
The late John Purfield established this scholarship to assist qualified students who have demonstrated academic excellence.

Bernard Rudman Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Bernard Rudman, Class of 1985, by his fellow classmates.

Scott H. Racine Award for Excellence in the Study of Taxation Endowed Fund
The Scott H. Racine Award for Excellence in the Study of Taxation Endowed Fund was established as an award restricted to graduating students of the School of Law with financial need who have excelled in the tax curriculum and are pursuing a career in the practice of tax law. Mr. Racine received his B.A. from Bradley University in 1972 and his J.D., cum laude, in 1978 from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he was student-writing editor of the Pepperdine Law Review. He received his LL.M. in taxation from the New York University School of Law in 1979. This award is to be given to students upon graduation from the School of Law.

Eduard and Lottabelle Salath, Endowed Scholarship
The late Eduard and Lottabelle Salath, were among the School of Law's most generous and loyal friends. The scholarship which bears their name is for deserving students who meet the qualifications that have been established.

Barbara A. Shacochis Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must be a member of the Law Review and is selected by a committee which has been designated by the donor, a 1990 alumna and Pepperdine Law Review editor-in-chief, and School of Law Board of Visitors member. Preference will be given to third year Law Review students and/or editors of the Law Review.

The Benjamin G. Shatz Scholarship
The Benjamin G. Shatz Scholarship is awarded annually through the generosity of Benjamin G. Shatz (class of 1992) and assists second and third-year students with financial need and active membership with the Jewish Law Student Association.

Wadieh Shibley Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Wadieh Shibley who was the first full-time professor at Pepperdine University School of Law. It provides funds to qualified students on the basis of financial need and/or merit. Professor Shibley was known for his wit and the love his students had for him.

Stuart Silverman Scholarship
This scholarship is for a student pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree at the School of Law who has overcome a major tragedy or hardship.

Special Law School Scholarship
This scholarship is for law students with special financial needs.

SOL Plaintiffs Consumer Trial Lawyer Scholarship This scholarship is for students pursuing a law degree that are in good standing in all areas of the University.

The Honorable Raymond Thompson Endowed Scholarship
The late Raymond H. Thompson, Superior Court Judge and Professor Emeritus at the School of Law, is credited with strongly influencing California courtroom procedures and etiquette. This scholarship, established in his memory through private donations made by his family and friends, provides funds to qualified students on the basis of financial need and/or merit. Recipients are selected by the School of Law administration.

Thomas and Glenna Trimble Endowed Scholarship
Tom and Glenna Trimble are longtime friends of the University and church leaders in their community. Mr. Trimble received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University. He recently was appointed Chairman of the University Board of Regents and is a member of the Law School Board of Visitors. The Trimbles' son, James, is a 1985 School of Law graduate, and their daughter, Julie, is a 1993 graduate. They have established this restricted scholarship to assist deserving Church of Christ students.

The Brian J. White Endowed Law Scholarship
The scholarship was established by Brian White to assist practicing Christians who are committed to pursuing a career in criminal defense. The student must actively worship with a congregation. A letter from his/her minister or priest should confirm such affiliation with a congregation. The student must demonstrate commitment to pursuing a career in criminal defense in the form of having a job; a job offer; or internship with a public or federal defender's office or with a private criminal defense practitioner. A letter of intent from an employer must verify the commitment.

Howard A. White Endowed Scholarship
A restricted scholarship program has been established in honor of Howard A. White, President Emeritus of Pepperdine University, who was affiliated with the school from 1958 until his death in 1991. Dr. White was a minister for a period of his life and was an active church leader until his death. The Howard A. White Scholarship was established by friends to assist Church of Christ students to attend Pepperdine University's Seaver College and School of Law.

J. McDonald and Judy Williams School of Law Scholarship
This scholarship was established by J. McDonald and Judy Williams to assist Church of Christ students that attend the School of Law.

Outside Scholarship Opportunities

The Office of Financial Assistance encourages law students to take advantage of outside scholarship opportunities and services. Though Pepperdine University School of Law does not endorse fee-based scholarship search organizations, we do support students' efforts by providing resources to help guide them in the appropriate direction. The most valuable tool in searching for scholarship opportunities is the Internet. In addition to the Internet, there are a number of informative publications available at your local bookstore or library. Scholarships may also be available through local bar associations, state government offices, public and/or private organizations or employers. Several private agencies notify our office of scholarship opportunities and provide application materials to be distributed to students. All scholarships are announced on Wavenet, the web-based campus newsletter. Informative scholarship websites are listed below.

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