Funding

JD-PhD Funding Structure

Students admitted to the JD-PhD program are typically granted full funding (including tuition and all living expenses) for seven academic years and six summers.

This funding is contingent upon the student, after no more than three years from the date of graduation (or post-graduation completion of a judicial clerkship or fellowship), engaging in a good faith effort* to secure an academic position or a position with an organization whose primary stated mission is to conduct research.

This contingency will be postponed or lifted for students who experience a significant life event** that interrupts their academic job search.

*A good faith effort is understood as a dedicated, serious effort by the student to find a tenure-line teaching position in a Law School and/or academic department/program. Students are expected to submit at least three applications per year for positions for four consecutive years until a position is secured. The job search should not be limited by geography.

**A significant life event may include but is not limited to the birth of child, death or illness of a family member or life partner, or a profound illness or health matter that incapacitates the student.

Withdrawing from the JD-PhD Program

If a student voluntarily or involuntarily withdraws from the PhD portion of the program prior to matriculation at the Law School and wishes to remain in the JD program, JD-PhD program funding will discontinue immediately, and the student will be obligated to repay any law school tuition scholarship payments previously received from the law school as part of the JD-PhD program.

Such a student may be considered for financial assistance for the JD program if the student applies for financial aid according to the same application procedures, deadlines, and policies that pertain to JD program entering students as described on the Law School Financial Aid webpage. JD program grant funding is contingent upon the availability of remaining funds at the time of the financial aid application.

If a student transfers to another institution or withdraws from the joint program at any point after matriculating at the Law School in order to only pursue the JD degree, JD-PhD program funding will discontinue immediately and the student will be required to repay scholarship money in an amount equal to the Law School tuition rate during the terms he or she was in residence at the Law School.