SCHOLARSHIP
Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship
The Scholarship Opens September 1st and must be submitted online by March 31st.
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 Black female law students who have committed to careers as prosecutors. For these future prosecutors, the Scholarship program covers the cost of the bar application and preparation up to $5,000. The Scholarship program also offers a $5,000 incentive for scholarship recipients who secure employment as prosecutors.
- Bar Application and Preparation: Payment for costs associated with preparing for and taking the Bar Exam. Awards in this category do not exceed $5,000.
- Employment Incentive: Recipients who secure and complete a full year of employment as a prosecutor will receive a monetary award of $5,000. The award will be disbursed at the end of their first year of full-time work at a prosecution office.
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.
Timeline for Application Process*
September 1 Scholarship applications open
March 31st Deadline to apply
June 20 Scholarship recipients are notified
*These dates are subject to change but the application timeline will generally be consistent with the dates provided above.
Invisible
Eligibility and Scholarship Criteria
✔ U.S. Citizen
✔ Graduating law student preparing to take the Bar Exam.
✔ African-American Female
✔ Financial need
✔ Record of academic achievement
✔ Demonstrated commitment to public service
✔ Offer of Employment from a District Attorney’s Office (Preference given, not required)
*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
Your application must contain all items listed
✔ 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
✔ Offer of Employment from a District Attorney’s Office (Preference given, not required)
How to Apply
ONLINE applications are now accepted. Please note:
- 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
- Offer of Employment from a District Attorney’s Office (Preference given, not required)
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