A scholarship for the 1L year from a named scholarship account,

Waiver of resident tuition and fees for the 2L and 3L year (four semesters),

Waiver of seat deposit with acceptance of offer,

Recognition and activities with alumni and faculty, and

Stipend of $200 per week for 4 semesters, Fall and Spring, 2L and 3L year.

Eligible candidates are admitted to the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law, meet the South Carolina requirements to be classified as a resident in the 1L year, and meet or exceed published academic standards for that admissions cycle. For the 2025 admissions cycle, the academic standards are:

• 164 on the Law School Admission Test and
• 3.75 minimum cumulative UGPA, as reflected on the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service Report.

Eligible admitted candidates will be invited to opt into the Scholars program at the point of admission.  

Interested candidates are encouraged to complete their applications before December 1. Candidates selected will have a reasonable period of time to accept the binding award or to request consideration for a traditional scholarship. If funds are available, offers will be made until all seats are filled.

Candidates that are selected for this honor are not required to submit a seat deposit but must sign a binding intent to matriculate. Candidate is committed to attending the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law and must withdraw all other law school applications within five calendar days of accepting the Carolina Law Research Scholar award. Candidate must also refrain from submitting any new law school applications through September 1 of the following fall. The recipient cannot defer an acceptance to a future year. Scholars must remain in good academic standing with the School of Law to retain these benefits. Candidates who choose this option must meet the weekly research requirement during the 2L and 3L year to retain the tuition and fee waiver and stipend.