Skip to main content
CHARLES WIDGER SCHOOL OF LAW

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Most institutional merit scholarships, including our Dean’s Merit Scholarships, are automatically awarded based on academic merit and other factors highlighted in your initial application. These scholarships are awarded beginning in January through March.

However, a small number of scholarship aid (listed below) is awarded on the basis of financial need and/or other criteria.  Those scholarships that are identified by the code “FA” require that you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using code E00428 for Villanova Law School.

 

Scholarships offered through the Charles Widger School of Law:

  • E. Wallace Chadwick Memorial Scholarship of the Delaware County Bar Association 
    The Delaware County Bar Association, through the generosity of the late Judge E. Wallace Chadwick, established this scholarship to support area law students. The fund provides a one-year partial tuition award to one or more Villanova Law students who have been raised in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with a preference for students who were raised in the city of Chester. 
  • Harold Gill Reuschlein Scholarship 
    Established by Arthur J. Kania ’56, a member of the Law School’s first class, and his wife, Angela, in honor of the Law School’s Founding Dean Harold Gill Reuschlein, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and financial need.  
  • Minority Alumni Society Book Scholarship 
    Established by the Villanova Law Minority Alumni Society to help defray the cost of law books and other educational expenses, this scholarship is awarded annually to Villanova Law students on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.  The scholarship was established especially to assist minority students who have achieved academically in the face of significant cultural, social or economic obstacles. 
  • Villanova Law Student Aid Fund Moral Obligation Grant 
    The Moral Obligation grant is neither a scholarship nor a loan.  The donor established this fund to enable students in need of financial assistance to attend law school.  It was the donor’s hope that recipients may someday contribute to this or similar funds so that future students in need of financial assistance may pursue a legal education; thus, it is requested that all recipients recognize this by signing a non-binding moral obligation letter with Villanova Law School.  Since the funds for the grant are constantly in flux, we are not able to guarantee how much, if any, money will be available in future years.  
  • Charles Widger '73 Leadership Scholarship 
    Established by Barbara and Charles Widger '73, this three-year full-tuition scholarship is awarded every year to students who have shown a serious and significant interest in both law and business. Recipients must demonstrate qualities indicative of leadership and have been shown to possess the basic quantitative skills necessary for a successful business lawyer. The scholarship may also include a one-time stipend to provide students with the flexibility to seek a strategic and meaningful internship, which may be unpaid, in the summer after their first-year of law school.
    Mr. Widger is the founder and executive chairman of Brinker Capital, an investment management firm located in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, and a member and past chair of the Law School’s Board of Consultors. He also serves as chair of the Law School’s fundraising campaign, the Villanova Law Campaign to Ignite Change. In January 2016, he made a transformative $25 million gift to Villanova Law, the largest ever to the Law School and the second largest in the University’s history. In recognition, the Law School is now named the Charles Widger School of Law, the first named school at the University.
  • Class of 1962 Thomas S. Forkin Memorial Scholarship 
    Named in memory of Thomas S. Forkin ’62, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.  The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1962 and family members and friends of Thomas Forkin. 
  • Class of 1964 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1964, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1966 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1966, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1967 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1967, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1968 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1968, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1969 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1969, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1971 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1971, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.
  • Class of 1973 Scholarship 
    Made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1973, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Class of 1975 Randy L. Sebastian Memorial Scholarship 
    Named in memory of Randy L. Sebastian ’75, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.  The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of members of the Class of 1975, family members and friends of Randy Sebastian, and the law firm MacElree Harvey, Ltd. 
  • Class of 1984 John J. Morrissey Memorial Scholarship 
    Named in memory of John J. Morrissey ’84, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.  The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Morrissey’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter Morrissey, members of the Class of 1984, and friends. 
  • Martin F. Burke ’78 Endowed Scholarship
    This three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to law students from the southern part of New Jersey.
  • Dean's Merit Scholarship 
    All incoming first-year students are considered for the Dean’s Merit Scholarship.  Awards are made on the basis of academic merit. 
  • Kenwyn M. Dougherty '80 Scholarship 
    Made possible by a generous gift from Richard L. McMonigle ’80, and his family, along with additional support from classmates, friends and colleagues, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is named in memory of Mr. McMonigle's late wife and classmate, Kenwyn M. Dougherty '80, one of the first female managing partners in a major Philadelphia law firm, Post & Schell PC.  This scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need.  
  • Stephen D. and Mary C. Ford Scholarship 
    Made possible by a generous gift from Stephen D. Ford ’73, and his wife Mary C. Ford, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student.  Students will be considered for the Scholarship if they are (a) deserving of assistance because of academic merit and/or financial need, (b) residents of New England (this shall be interpreted to include candidates now residing in New England or who had a permanent residence in New England prior to attending college), and (c) demonstrate an interest in public interest legal work. 
  • The Arthur and Veronica Goldberg Endowed Scholarship 
    This three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented, full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated need.
  • Hickey Family Endowed Scholarship
    Known as the Hickey Family Scholarship, this three‐year partial scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first‐year law student. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented, full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. First preference for this scholarship shall be given to students from historically underrepresented groups. Secondary preference will be given to U.S. Military Veterans (as defined in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations), active U.S. Military members, United States Reserve members, or United States National Guard members.
  • Joseph C. Kohn Scholarship
    Established by the late Harold E. Kohn, Esq., a nationally recognized antitrust lawyer who served as a member of Villanova Law School's Board of Consultors from 1971 to 1999, this partial tuition scholarship, named in memory of Mr. Kohn's father, Joseph C. Kohn, provides financial support to Villanova Law students with demonstrated financial need. 
  • Father John Stack, OSA Endowed Scholarship
    The endowed scholarship was created to support academically talented full-time students with demonstrated financial need. It was established by Sean Fahey ’91, ’94 and Amy Fahey ’91. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing to the same recipient. 
  • The Honorable John J. LaFalce '64 Scholarship 
    Established through the generosity of The Honorable John J. LaFalce ’64 who served Western New York in the U.S. House of Representatives for 28 years, from 1975 through 2002, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student who is a resident of Erie, Niagara, Orleans or Monroe County in New York State, or a graduate of a college or university headquartered in one of these counties. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic qualifications, moral character and financial need. 
  • The Honorable Charles A. Lord Scholarship 
    Named in memory of The Honorable Charles A. Lord of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, this one-year, partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of merit, financial need and potential for service to the community. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Mutual Fire Foundation.  
  • Douglas M. '81 and Margaret Sherry '81 Lurio Scholarship 
    Made possible by a generous gift from Douglas M. Lurio ’81, and his wife Magaret Sherry Lurio ’81, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Philadelphia law firm Lurio & Associates, P.C., this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Memorial Scholarship 
    This three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit.  The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the many individuals and organizations that have made memorial gifts to the Law School in honor of deceased alumni, faculty, staff, family members and friends.
  • Milner Family Scholarship Fund 
    Known as the Milner Family Scholarship Fund, this three‐year partial  scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first‐year law  student. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to  academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger  School of Law with demonstrated financial need.
  • Francis E. McGill '56 Scholarship 
    Named in honor of Francis E. McGill ’56, by his classmate Arthur J. Kania, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need, with preference based on one of more of the following criteria: graduation from the University of Scranton; graduation from St. Joseph's Preparatory School; an intent to return home as a general practitioner; a strong leaning toward concentration in an estates or real estate practice. 
  • The Vincent R. McGuinness Jr. & Andrea M. Saxon, MD Family Endowed Scholarship
    Established by Vincent R. McGuinness Jr., Esq. ’81 CWSL and Andrea Saxon, MD, the scholarship provides financial support to academically talented full-time students at the Law School with demonstrated financial need. It was specifically created to address the financial needs of U.S. Military Veterans (as defined in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations), U.S. Military Active Duty Soldiers, United States Reserve Soldiers, or United States National Guard soldiers. 
  • Patrick J. O'Connor Scholarship 
    Named in honor of Patrick J. O'Connor ’67 and Vice Chairman of the law firm Cozen O'Connor, this three-year partial scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of outstanding scholastic achievement and financial need, with preference given to a student from a single parent home. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Mr. O’Connor’s family and friends, including the late Arthur G. Raynes, James F. Mundy, and Merry T. O'Donnell and The Maneely Fund, and continues to be generously supported by Mr. O'Connor and his wife, Marie.
  • Marcella C. Reuschlein Scholarship 
    Named in honor of Marcella C. Reuschlein, beloved wife of the Law School’s Founding Dean Harold Gill Reuschlein, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years on the basis of academic merit and financial need to an incoming first-year law student who is attempting to raise a family while in law school. The scholarship was established by Arthur J. Kania ’56 and his wife, Angela, and the late Arthur M. Goldberg ’66 and his wife, Veronica. 
  • Scarpa Endowed Scholarship Fund 
    The Fund will provide financial support to academically talented, full-time students enrolled in the Law School who have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit and/or a commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation. Additional consideration can be made for recipients including, but not limited to: full-time students enrolled in the Law School who graduated from Villanova University and/or full-time students enrolled in the Law School with demonstrated financial need. Each Scarpa scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award in subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, and funds are available.
  • Minerva Schultz Scholarship 
    Established by The Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman ’72, the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in honor of her mother, Minerva Schultz, this three-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first-year law student on the basis of academic merit and financial need. 
  • Umbrecht Family Endowed Scholarship
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. First preference will be given to first generation law students.
  • Arlene M. Yocum ’82 and Richard L. Kremnick Endowed Scholarship 
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Preference shall be given to historically underrepresented law students. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient in subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • A. Benjamin Johnson Jr. Endowed Scholarship 
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students who are first in their immediate family to pursue a professional degree. Further preference will be given to historically underrepresented students who have proven to be leaders in civil rights or their community. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient in subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • The Salman Al-Sudairi ’03 Endowed Scholarship
    Established by Salman Al-Sudairi, Esq. ’03 CWSL, the scholarship supports academically full-time international students with demonstrated financial need. Preference for the scholarship is given to students form the Middle East and/or North Africa with a demonstrated commitment to the history and/or culture of Saudi Arabia. 
  • Kathleen M. Shay ’74 CLAS, ’77 CWSL Endowed Scholarship Fund 
    Established by Kathleen M. Shay ’74 CLAS, ’77 CWSL, this scholarship is awarded for one academic year to provide financial support to academically talented students enrolled in the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Recipients will be eligible for award renewal in subsequent years, providing continued eligibility, good academic and disciplinary standings, and fund availability.
  • Arronson Foundation Scholarship
    Established by the Arronson Foundation in memory of Jacob and Gertrude Arronson, this partial tuition scholarship provides financial support to Villanova Law students with demonstrated financial need.
  • Joseph T. Kelley Scholarship
    Established by Joseph T. Kelley, Jr. ’67 CLAS, ’70 CWSL in memory of his father, Joseph T. Kelley, this three-year partial tuition scholarship provides financial support to Villanova Law students with demonstrated financial need.
  • L. Francis Murphy ’61 Endowed Scholarship 
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient in subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • Jack ’85 and Tammy Dodds Endowed Scholarship 
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient in subsequent years providing the recipient continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • Sottosanti Family Scholarship 
    This three‐year partial scholarship is awarded every three years to an incoming first‐year law student on the basis of providing financial support to academically talented full‐time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Preference shall be given to law students who attended Villanova University as undergraduates. This scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award.
  • Sarah Lee Keller Scholarship 
    The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with a preference for those students who have demonstrated outstanding academics, leadership, ethical behavior, and a passion for business and/or tax law.
  • Pansini Family Endowed Scholarship
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to historically underrepresented or first-generation students. The scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient(s) in subsequent years providing the recipient(s) continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • Jason Gamba Endowed Scholarship Fund 
    The purpose of this Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need, with preference for historically underrepresented students. Each scholarship will be awarded for one academic year with preference for renewing the award to the same recipient(s) in subsequent years providing the recipient(s) continues to meet the conditions of eligibility, is in good academic standing, is in good disciplinary standing, and funds are available.
  • Brenda Joan Ruggiero '88 Memorial Scholarship 
    Established by Dr. Robert and Mrs. Arlene Ruggiero in memory of their daughter Brenda Joan Ruggiero, a member of the Class of 1988, this two-year partial tuition scholarship is awarded to a rising second-year law student every two years on the basis of academic merit and financial need.
  • Robert A.J. Barry Jr. ’87 Endowed Scholarship 
    The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law with demonstrated financial need. First preference will go to Villanova Law students enrolled in the Reza Talghani JD/MBA program.                                                  

 

  • David E. Worby '76 Scholarship

Established by noted New York Trial Attorney David E. Worby '76, this partial tuition scholarship is awarded annually to a rising third-year law student who has distinguished him or herself in trial advocacy courses and/or moot court competition.

  • Lauren Lonergan Taylor Award for Leadership in the Advancement of Women 

The purpose of this fund will be to provide financial support to academically talented full-time students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law. Preference will be given to third year students enrolled in the Law School who have demonstrated dedication to the cause of women’s rights and equal standing through participation in activities inside and/or outside the law school and a commitment to inclusiveness in all forms.