Entrance Scholarships

Every year the Schulich School of Law awards over $2 Million dollars to our students to help with funding their legal education.  These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our donors.

Our entrance scholarships are awarded to our incoming students based upon a variety of criteria, including academic excellence, community involvement, selfless public service in the Weldon Tradition, financial need, commitment to diversity & inclusion, dedication to anti-racism, regional connection, and an interest in Canadian public policy For this reason, some of the scholarships require submission of a separate Entrance Scholarship Form. For others, applicants are given automatic consideration.

Information on the scholarships currently available and how to be considered is outlined below.

Eligibility Requirements – Deadlines

To be considered for one or more of our entrance scholarships, an applicant must:

  • Complete the JD Online Application by the application deadline of January 10.
  • If required, submit the Entrance Scholarship Form by the scholarship form deadline of January 15.

JD Entrance Scholarship Committee

The JD Entrance Scholarship Committee Scholarship at the Schulich School of Law will select the recipients based on the criteria established for each scholarship.  Decisions will be made using the following sources of information:

  • JD Online Application (including supporting documents); and
  • Entrance Scholarship Form (where required for the scholarship).

Tenable only at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Entrance scholarships are awarded to students admitted to the Schulich School of Law. To receive an Entrance Scholarship the recipient must be enrolled in the Schulich School of Law and join the first-year class in September.

It is Dalhousie University policy to credit scholarships automatically to tuition & fees. For awards over 10K, the funds are applied in two installments at the beginning of the Fall and Winter Terms. Awards under 10K are applied at the beginning of the Fall term.

Bursary & Scholarship Program

In addition to entrance scholarships, the Schulich School of Law has a bursary and scholarship program open to all students, including first years.  You can get information on those funding opportunities on the Bursaries and Scholarships web page.

 

Scholarships - Automatic Consideration

All applicants who complete the JD Online Application by the application deadline of January 10 will be automatically considered for the entrance scholarships listed in this section. No additional documentation or application is required from the applicant.

$5,300 - The Francis Hugh Bell Entrance Scholarship in Law (Non-Renewable)

The fund was established to honour the memory of Francis Hugh Bell through a bequest from his daughter, Barbara Bell. The purpose of the fund is to provide an annual scholarship to a student entering the first year of the program leading to the Juris Doctor degree at Dalhousie University.

Value

$5100 (Not Renewable)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Academic excellence

$1,400 - Marion E. & Richard D. Weldon, Q.C. Entrance Scholarship (Non-Renewable)

This fund was established at the bequest of Marion E. Weldon, wife of Richard D. Weldon, grandson of the first Dean of Dalhousie's Law School. The intent of this fund is to aid students in obtaining and furthering the teachings of Law about which Dean Weldon was so passionate.

Value

$1400 (Not renewable)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • No other criteria considered

 

$1,400 - The Frank Gronich Memorial Scholarship (Non-Renewable)

The purpose is to benefit residents of the province of Newfoundland & Labrador who are enrolled in study towards the JD designation. The recipient must be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Frank R. Gronich came to the law later in his life. Born in 1932 in Germany, he arrived in Canada as a 22-year-old immigrant and eventually settled in Corner Brook, Frank and his wife, Eileen, owned and operated a very successful florist business in Corner Brook. In 1972, he and Eileen took the courageous step of selling their business and travelling the world for two years. Upon returning to Newfoundland, Frank went to Memorial University, where he earned a degree in ancient history and political science and ultimately applied and was accepted to the Dalhousie Law School.

The senior of his class, Frank graduated with his LLB in 1980 and was voted Class President. Frank and Eileen returned to St. John’s where Frank was called to the Bar in 1980. He served as Chief Crown Prosecutor with the Department of Justice from 1985-1993. An avid reader and history buff who held strong interests in politics, current events and world affairs, it is understandable that in his last years he spent much time writing his memoirs that will be published in the near future. While known to uphold high professional standards, he also exhibited understanding about the personal needs of the younger lawyers he supervised. Frank was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, and those with whom he met left his company feeling respected and valued.

Value

$1300 (Not Renewable)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Financial need

 

 

Scholarships – Entrance Scholarship Form Required

The entrance scholarships described in this section are awarded based on the applicant meeting the specific criteria established by the scholarship. For this reason, applicants are required to provide additional information by submitting our Entrance Scholarship Form.

$69,000 - The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Scholarships

The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia offers entrance scholarships for students entering the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.

Value

$23,000 per year ($69,000 overall)

Renewable

Number of Awards

Four (4)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Academic excellence

Conditions for renewal

  • Renewable for second and third year if the recipient maintains a B average in law school
  • If the scholarship is not renewed in second year, it will be renewed for third year if the renewal conditions are met

 

$60,000 - The Arthur Allister MacBain Memorial Scholarship

The Arthur Allister MacBain Memorial Scholarship was established by John H MacBain, in memory of his father, Arthur Allister MacBain (JD Dalhousie, 1951).

Value

$20,000 per year ($60,000 overall)

Renewable

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Academic excellence
  • Commitment to community service
  • Significant involvement in extra-curricular activities

Conditions for renewal

  • Renewable for second and third year if the recipient maintains a B+ average in law school

 

$55,437 - Schulich Entrance Scholarship

In 2009, philanthropist Sir Seymour Schulich generously donated $20 million to Dalhousie Law School in recognition of the excellence education offered by the institution since 1883. In recognition of Sir Schulich's support, Dalhousie Law School was renamed the Schulich School of Law. Students are the major beneficiaries of the donation as the greatest portion of the Schulich gift is dedicated scholarships.

Value

$18,479 per year ($55,437 overall)

Renewable

Number of Awards

Three (3)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Two (2) of the following three (3) criteria:
    • Academic excellence
    • Community involvement / public service
    • Financial need

Conditions for renewal

  • Renewable for second and third year if the recipient maintains a B average in law school
  • If the scholarship is not renewed in second year, it will be renewed for third year if the renewal conditions are met

 

$45,000 - The J Gerald Godsoe Scholarship

Gerry Godsoe's first love and most important contribution to Canada was in the field of public policy. In this role, he was a frequent advisor to governments. In the 1970s he advised on energy policies for the Province of Nova Scotia, chiefly in the field of offshore oil and gas, later becoming the Chair of the Maritime Provinces Coordinating Committee on Offshore Mineral Resources. In the early 1980s he was a special advisor and counsel to the government of Canada on the Constitution and offshore mineral rights. From 1983 to 1986 he served as full time Executive Director of the Royal Commission on Economic Development Project for Canada, "The Mcdonald Commission", a commission that set the agenda for years to come.

The University's aim in establishing the Godsoe Scholarship is to remember Gerry Godsoe by providing aid to bright, young Canadians, who will give as much to Canada in their time as Gerry did in his.

 

Value

$15,000 per year ($45,000 overall)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
  • Demonstrated interest in the development of public policy in Canada
  • Academic excellence
To be considered for this Entrance Scholarships applicants must provide relevant information in the Entrance Scholarship Form.

Conditions for renewal

  • Renewable for second and third year if the recipient maintains a B average in law school
  • If the scholarship is not renewed in second year, it will be renewed for third year if the renewal conditions are met

$45,000 - The Al Meghji & Diana Belevsky Scholarship in Law

Al Meghji and Diana Belevsky made a generous gift to the Schulich School of Law to support a renewable entrance scholarship for students who are the first generation of their family to attend university.

Not Available for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

Value

$15,000 per year ($45,000 overall)

Renewable

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Must demonstrate they are the first generation in their family to attend university

Conditions for renewal

  • Renewable for a second and third year if the recipient maintains the required standards of the JD Program (i.e., Pass)

$1,500 - Cox & Palmer Entrance Bursary for Equity-Deserving Communities

Cox & Palmer has created this bursary to support an incoming student as they enter law school who self-identifies as coming from an equity deserving community who continues to be underrepresented at Dalhousie Schulich School of Law.

Value

$1,500 per year

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Must be a student who self-identifies as coming from an equity deserving community underrepresented at Dalhousie Schulich School of Law
  • Must demonstrate financial need
   

$14,783 - Schulich Entrance Scholarship (Non-Renewable)

In 2009, philanthropist Sir Seymour Schulich generously donated $20 million to Dalhousie Law School in recognition of the excellence of the education offered at the institution since 1883. In recognition of Sir Schulich's support, Dalhousie Law School was renamed the Schulich School of Law. Students are the major beneficiaries of the donation as the greatest portion of the Schulich gift is dedicated scholarships.

Value

$14,783 (Not Renewable)

Number of Awards

Fifteen (15)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Two (2) of the following three (3) criteria:
    • Academic excellence
    • Community involvement / public service
    • Financial need

 

$10,000 - Arthur F Miller Scholarship in Law (Non-Renewable)

The Arthur F Miller Scholarship in Law was established by Arthur F Miller, in memory of his mother, Jean F Miller. This entrance scholarship is awarded who has demonstrated academic achievement and financial need and is a graduate from a high school in Labrador. If no students from this area are eligible, graduates from other high schools in Newfoundland, then the Atlantic Provinces, will be eligible.

Value

$10,000

Not Renewable

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • The recipient must be a graduate from a high school in the following order of preference:
    • Labrador
    • Newfoundland; or
    • Maritime provinces
  • Academic excellence
  • Financial need

 

$10,000 - The Hon John C Crosbie Weldon Tradition Scholarship in Law (Non-Renewable)

The Newfoundland Scholarship in Law. It was renamed in 2011 to honor the Honorable John C Crosbie (1931-2020).

The purpose of the fund is to support students from Newfoundland & Labrador who show scholastic merit and selfless public service. Successful candidates will have demonstrated leadership and high levels of community involvement and will have demonstrated a measure of  "selfless public service" in line with the  Weldon Tradition

Value

$10,000 (Not Renewable)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • The recipient must be a resident of Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Academic excellence
  • Selfless public services as per the Weldon Tradition
  • Community involvement and leadership

 

$10,000 - The Alistair Fraser Scholarships in Law (Non-Renewable)

This endowed scholarship was established through a generous bequest from the Estate of the Honourable Alistair Fraser.  The purpose of this scholarship is to commemorate the Honourable Alistair Fraser, a law school graduate, who became the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1952-1958.

Value

$10,000 (Not Renewable)

Number of Awards Six (6)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Academic excellence
  • Financial need

 

$1,000 - Beige Aubrey Memorial Entrance Bursary (Non-Renewable)

The purpose of this award is to commemorate and celebrate the life of past Schulich School of Law student, Beige Aubrey. She was a very kind and intelligent young women, who cared for others and the world around her. She received several scholarships when she was a student and worked hard to support herself during her education.

Value

$1,000 (Non-Renewable)

Number of Awards

One (1)

Criteria

  • Students must apply and be accepted to the JD program at Dalhousie University
  • Financial need