Santa Clara University School of Law has introduced a new PLEDGE Scholarship, to be offered to all incoming first-year students joining its J.D. programs in Fall 2026, regardless of financial circumstances.
The scholarship will provide $16,000 toward tuition per year — for up to three years — to full-time J.D. students, and $12,500 annually — for up to four years — to students enrolled in the school’s flex J.D. program.
The PLEDGE Scholarship was designed to offset the impact of recent caps placed on guaranteed federal loans for professional education and to ensure incoming students have access to the funds needed to cover the full cost of tuition through a combination of this scholarship and federal loans.
“The PLEDGE Scholarship is more than a financial award. It’s a promise Santa Clara Law is making to help relieve next year’s students from the kind of financial pressure that might otherwise preclude them from pursuing rewarding legal careers of great prominence and purpose,” said Michael Kaufman, dean of the law school.
The scholarship supports a key goal of Santa Clara University’s strategic plan, Impact 2030, which aims to make a Santa Clara education accessible to all students.
“The PLEDGE Scholarship aligns perfectly with our Jesuit tradition,” said Caitlin Jachimowicz, senior assistant dean for enrollment, strategy and operations. “We are called to care for the whole person — cura personalis — and that includes ensuring that financial barriers do not unduly burden students while they pursue their educational goals and prevent talented students from pursuing their calling in the law.”
The scholarship will be automatically awarded to all students who submit a deposit by the school’s April 15 deadline and enroll in the Fall 2026 incoming class. No separate application is required.
Students will also be automatically considered for additional merit-based aid.
