Description:
The IMLA Scholarships consist of a single $5,000 award and two $2,500 awards which will be conferred annually on applicants selected by IMLA, to be applied as tuition at an accredited law school in the United States or Canada. IMLA Scholarship recipients will also be recognized in IMLA’s flagship publication Municipal Lawyer and will be granted admission to IMLA’s virtual Annual Mid-Year Seminar during the Spring following the award (so long as the IMLA Mid-Year Seminar is offered virtually), allowing access to leading-edge curricula and domain experts across a wide span of local government law subjects.
Eligibility:
First-year and second-year law students will be eligible to apply for the IMLA Scholarships, which, if awarded, will apply to their next year’s law school tuition (i.e., their second or third year of law school). Formal applications in the form provided will be accepted from any eligible full-time law student at an accredited law school in the United States or Canada. Applicants must provide verification of their current enrollment as a first-year or second-year law student in the form of their current transcripts.
Criteria:
Criteria considered by IMLA will include the applicant’s demonstrated interest in local government law, evidenced by internship, volunteer, or paid service in a local government law office or law firm specializing in local government work.
- Applicants seeking the $5,000 Scholarship must submit:
- a statement by the applicant explaining their interest in local government law; and
- a work of original scholarship by the applicant of not less than 1,500 words relating to local government law. A work of original scholarship may include a paper submitted to meet a writing requirement of the law school or for a local government law class or for another class involving local government law issues;
- references from one or more local government lawyers or law professors confirming the applicant’s interest and promise in the area of local government law.
- Applicants for $2,500 Scholarships must submit:
- a statement by the applicant explaining their interest in local government law; and
- One or more references from local government lawyers or law professors confirming the applicant’s interest and promise in the area of local government law.
The Scholarships will be awarded based primarily on the merits of the written submissions, and evaluation of the supporting references. The applicants financial need will also be considered; applicants must disclose all other scholarships and grants they will be receiving for the relevant school year.
Timing:
Applications are due no later than December 31 for the immediately following fall law school session. IMLA Scholarships recipients will be notified no later than March 15 of such year.
Compliance:
IMLA Scholarship recipients will be required to comply with all applicable regulations, including but not limited to notifying their law school and/or other scholarship providers, if required.
Contact:
Eligible law students seeking further information about the IMLA Scholarships are invited to contact IMLA at info@imla.org. Please caption your inquiry “IMLA Scholarships.”
How to Apply:
Eligible law students should submit their completed application, including references, transcripts and other written materials required above, to info@imla.org with the subject “IMLA Scholarships.”
