Public Interest Law Center

JD Public Interest Scholarships

Photo of students walking through NYU Law courtyard

PILC Summer Funding Program guarantees funding for all 1L and 2L students who want to work in public interest and government positions. 1L students receive $5,500 for the summer and 2Ls receive $7,500.

For Incoming Students

Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship Program

NYU Law’s flagship public interest scholarship, the Root-Tilden-Kern Program, established more than 50 years ago, awards full tuition to 20 scholars selected for their commitment to working in public service, their academic merit, and leadership potential. 

Sinsheimer Service Scholarship

The Sinsheimer Service Scholarship pays full tuition each year for a student of outstanding academic merit and leadership potential who demonstrates a strong commitment to providing direct representation to low-income individuals in civil legal matters, and promises to pursue such work in the United States for at least three years.

Latinx Rights Scholar Program

Each year the Latinx Rights Scholar Program program awards two full-tuition scholarships to incoming law students who intend to pursue careers that promote justice for the Latinx community. Scholars are chosen on the basis of commitment to social justice, leadership potential, academic excellence, and interest in pursuing a career in the public interest.

Furman Public Policy Program

The Furman Public Policy Scholarship Program is an innovative and experience-based program designed to train and support top students who are interested in pursuing careers in the public policy sector. The program emphasizes individualized academic planning and advising. 

For Current Students

Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Program

The mission of the Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Program is to mentor a new generation of lawyers dedicated to redressing historic inequalities, resisting injustice, and protecting democratic institutions. The Program, which awards fellowships to a select third-year students, provides opportunities to engage in extensive research, get hands-on experience in litigation and policy work, and forge lasting connections with leaders in the field.

Derrick Bell Public Service Scholarship

Members of the Law Alumni of Color Association (LACA) alumni have contributed have contributed funds to create the Derrick Bell Public Service Scholarship to reduce the law school debt burden of second and/or third year students who are members of the Black, Latinx, Asian Pacific American, Middle East, Native American or South Asian Law Students Associations, who have proven their dedication to the public service, who plan to pursue careers in public interest law, and who demonstrate a commitment to social justice in the best tradition of Professor Bell.

Moelis Urban Law & Public Affairs Fellowship

Created by NYU Law alumnus and Trustee Ron Moelis (’82), the mission of the Moelis Fellowship Program is to cultivate a group of NYU Law students who will develop the skills needed to forge public-private partnerships that advance investment in and development of urban communities.