Scholarships
Duke Law School awards three-year scholarships to entering law students. All scholarships are based in part on merit, defined broadly to include academic excellence as well as a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences. Applicants who provide additional financial information may also be considered for a need-based scholarship. Applicants who would like to be considered for a merit-based Duke Law scholarship should check the appropriate box on the admissions application. Only applicants who wish to apply for scholarships based on both merit and need considerations must submit the Scholarship Form.
Note: In determining need, the law school considers all sources of income, including parents' income and financial situation.
Some scholarship candidates are selected each year to receive special recognition as named scholars. No separate application is necessary.
Mordecai Scholars
Mordecai Scholars are individuals who possess a record of extraordinary leadership and scholarly achievement prior to law school, along with the personal qualities that are likely to result in community involvement and leadership at Duke, and in the years after graduation. Initiated in 1998, the program is named for Samuel Fox Mordecai, the founding dean of the Law School who was a noted practitioner, scholar, and leader in legal education.
Upon being offered admission, the files of likely candidates for a Mordecai Scholarship are forwarded to the Scholarship Committee for consideration. After the committee nominates candidates for the scholarship, they are contacted and invited to apply. The Committee then reviews the scholarship applications of these nominees and invites finalists to campus for interviews. Scholarship recipients are selected shortly after the interview process.
Students selected as Mordecai Scholars receive full-tuition assistance through the Law School's high-merit scholarship program.