Scholarship
Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Deadline: Applications Must Be Submitted Online by March 8, 2021 *NEW DEADLINE*.
The Scholarship Program
Law school debt is well documented. What’s not so well known is the need for additional funds to prepare for the Bar exam. In addition to the cost of a prep course – at about $5,000 – many recent graduates must take out personal loans to cover living expenses as they take on the full-time, unpaid work of preparing for the exam.
Unlike many law graduates who head to a private practice, those who choose to work for public agencies are on their own financially to prep for the Bar exam. Those upfront initial costs are steep enough to steer people away from public sector legal work.
The SCWLF awards $5,000 scholarships to African-American female law students for bar application and preparation. The Scholarship program also offers a $5,000 incentive for scholarship recipients who secure employment as prosecutors. We have awarded 11 scholarships since our inception in 2015.
- Bar Application and Preparation: Payment for costs associated with preparing for and taking the Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, or Pennsylvania Bar Exam.* Typical awards are between $3,000 – $5,000 and cover the cost of the bar application and foundation-approved bar preparation courses. Awards in this category do not exceed $6,000.
- Employment Incentive: Monetary award for recipients who secure employment as prosecutors in Delaware, Massachusetts, Prince George’s County, Maryland, or in the following counties of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester. Monetary awards for this category will be the difference between the bar application and preparation costs and $10,000. Amounts will be disbursed in equal parts at the end of year 1 and year 2 of full-time employment at one of the approved prosecution offices.
Students who are interested in applying for the Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship are strongly encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and program description before submitting an application.
*Preference will be given to those applicants seeking employment in Delaware, Massachusetts, Prince George’s County Maryland, and the following counties in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester.
Invisible
Eligibility and Scholarship Criteria
✔ Graduating law student preparing to take the Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland* or Pennsylvania** Bar Exam.
✔ African-American Female
✔ Financial need
✔ Record of academic achievement
✔ Demonstrated commitment to public service
*For those applicants taking the Maryland Bar exam, please note at this time preference will be given to applicants intending to practice in Prince George’s County.
** For those applicants taking the Pennsylvania bar exam, please note at this time preference will be given to applicants intending to practice in the following counties: Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester.
Scholarship Application Checklist
✔ Complete Online Scholarship Application Form
✔ Two (2) recommendation letters in signed and sealed envelopes
✔ One (1) essay (see below)
✔ Official transcript from current law school
✔ Copy of your Student Aid Report (FAFSA)
✔ Résumé
✔ Photograph (to be used if selected as Scholarship winner)
✔ Copy of Assignment of Rights & Consent to Publish Scholarship Information Form
How to Apply
- Applicants must complete the Application Online
- Applicants must complete the Assignment of Rights & Consent to Publish Scholarship Form. Download, Print, Sign and Upload Completed Form
- Applicants must Upload FASFA
- Applicants must Upload Essay (PDF Version)
- Applicants must Mail Official Transcripts to the address below.
- Applicants must Mail 2 recommendation letters in signed and sealed envelopes
If you are unable to complete the application or upload your supporting documents, please notify us at: info@saritaandclairefoundation.org.
Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation
P.O. Box 171031
Boston, MA 02117
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications must be returned by March 1st of the application year. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement to receive a Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship?
There is no minimum test score or GPA requirement. Any application review will take into account a candidate’s GPA, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, financial need, volunteer activities and personal statement.
Am I eligible for a scholarship if I am not a U.S. citizen?
No.
May I apply online?
Yes.
May I request an application by phone or e-mail?
Yes, you may request an application by email by sending a request to info@saritaandclairefoundation.org. This option is only available if an applicant is completely unable to complete the Online application available on this website. In such rare events, applications will be sent to the applicant as a PDF to the email address of his or her choice.
May I fax or email my application to Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation?
No. APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE FAXED.
How/when are awardees notified? Will I be notified if I don’t receive an award?
Applicants for the Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship will be notified by email of the award decision by April 2nd of the scholarship year.
What is the amount of an average scholarship award?
Generally, the Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship provides up to $5,000 in award monies. Money is used to pay for bar preparation and filing fees. Additional money may be awarded upon confirmation of employment with a prosecuting agency in the counties and states listed in the application.
What are the “costs associated” with taking the Bar Exam?
Anticipated costs include the Bar Application Fee and the cost of the Bar Preparation Course, Laptop Fee & PMBR (supplemental bar review class).
Does the Scholarship Foundation rely upon a specific definition of “African-American”?
Yes. Please refer to the definition utilized by the United States Census Bureau located at http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf (Page 2: Definition of African-American).
If my bar application and preparation costs total $3000 and I receive the Employment Incentive, how much will the Employment Incentive amount be?
$7000 which represents the difference between $10,000 and the $3000 bar application and preparation cost total.
How and when will I receive the Employment Incentive amount?
You will receive two checks, each for half of the total incentive amount. The first payment will be disbursed at the conclusion of your first full year as a full-time prosecutor at one of the eligible prosecution offices (identified in the Employment Incentive section). The second payment will be disbursed at the conclusion of your second full year as a full-time prosecutor at one of the eligible prosecution offices.