Open Doors Scholarship & Need-Based Grants

Open Doors Scholarship

The Open Doors Scholarship was established to support students of extraordinary promise who have overcome significant disadvantages and demonstrate substantial financial need by providing a coordinated network of academic, social, and professional support at GW Law.

Up to ten incoming Scholars will receive a need-based scholarship of at least $40,000 annually (pro-rated for part-time enrollment). This award includes any need-based grants and merit scholarships for which the student is eligible.

The program seeks to support students who have experienced significant disadvantage, which may include, but is not limited to, extreme personal or community poverty, political or social persecution, social exclusion, or personal or cultural trauma.

The Open Doors Scholarship is designed to address academic deficits that result from significant disadvantage and to expand opportunities for students whose educational pathways have been, or are likely to be, limited without targeted support. In addition to the financial award, Scholars receive comprehensive academic, professional, and community-based support.

Each Scholar is paired with both an alumnus and a law student mentor from a more senior cohort. Throughout the academic year, Scholars participate in targeted programming with key law school departments and leadership, including the Career Development Office, the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics, and the Office of Bar Success. Scholars also gather regularly for lunches and dinners and participate in sponsored social outings of their choosing.

To help offset the cost of building a professional wardrobe, each Scholar may be reimbursed for interview attire. Scholars also have the option to work with an academic support consultant who provides workshops at key points during the first year.

Because the development of a strong, supportive community is central to both individual student success and the program's success, Open Doors Scholars are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of all programming opportunities.

Program Oversight and Selection. The program is overseen by the Dean of Students Office and the Associate Dean for Experiential Programs. The Selection Committee is particularly interested in candidates who are the first in their family to attend college or law school and who demonstrate strong alignment with the program’s mission of academic excellence, community engagement, and professional development.

Need-Based Grants

GW Law School need-based grants are available to non-transfer JD students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled at least half-time, demonstrate significant financial need, and have not been awarded a merit-based scholarship of $22,000/year or more. GW employees receiving tuition benefits are ineligible for need-based grants.

Your parents, regardless of your age or marital status, must file the CSS Profile form with you if you wish to be considered for the GW Law Need-Based Grant. There are no exceptions to the institutional policy other than for orphans/wards of court, in which case supporting documentation is required. Missing parental data on CSS Profile is the most common cause of delay in our ability to complete a student's financial aid package when the need-based grant is requested. If you are married, then spouse financial data is also required on both the FAFSA and CSS Profile.

*For the purposes of the GW Law Need-Based Grant - the estimated family contribution (EFC) uses the financial data you provide via the FAFSA (School Code E00196) as well as the financial data that you and your parents provide via the CSS Profile (School Code 5587) forms in order to derive an institutional EFC.

Financial need is the difference between GW Law School's estimated costs of attendance for the aid year, a student's personal and/or family contribution, the $20,500 Federal Direct Stafford Loan, and any other assistance the student receives.

The GW Law Need-Based Grant is awarded contingent upon your full acceptance of the Federal Unsubsidized Loan for the specific aid year. The calculation of the need-based grant only covers a portion of a student's unmet financial need. The need-based grant application process is academic year specific, and subsequent year eligibility is not guaranteed.

The Financial Aid Office begins making awards in March for the upcoming academic year. Awards are not offered to an applicant until the admission process has been completed and the student has been admitted to GW Law School. Funds are limited.