Additional Scholarships

Through the generosity and support of our dedicated alumni and other donors, we can offer additional scholarship opportunities to admitted 1L students entering the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University in fall 2024. 

Requirements for all Scholarships

  • Deadline to apply: March 1

  • Include your name on each page of the application

  • Submit all materials via email to: yacobkFREEDUQUESNE%20

  • Include the name of the scholarship in the email subject line* 
    *If submitting multiple applications, please email individually. Include the name of each scholarship in the email subject line.

If you are applying for a scholarship that requires you to demonstrate financial need you must submit the FAFSA. *

*You may be aware that although you have filed the FAFSA, FAFSA information has not yet been released to schools.  

We do not want to delay the awarding of these scholarships, so we are asking that you provide the following:

  • A copy of the Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA report.
  • Let us know how much loan debt you have accumulated from undergrad and/or graduate programs.

 
Please email a copy of your SAI and loan debt amount to Associate Director of Admissions Kaitlin Yacob at yacobkFREEDUQUESNE by March 6, 2024.

The Honorable Donetta Ambrose Scholarship 

Donetta Ambrose arrived at Duquesne as an undergraduate freshman from the Arnold/New Kensington, PA area. Originally planning to pursue a career as an English teacher, she soon crossed paths with an energetic, ambitious senior about to enter law school. Motivated by her friendship with Carol Los Mansmann, Ambrose changed her undergraduate major to political science and followed Mansmann to Duquesne Kline Law. 

Ambrose began her career as a clerk to her former Law Dean, state Supreme Court Justice Louis Manderino, worked as an assistant attorney general and assistant district attorney, and spent eight years in private practice in Westmoreland County. In 1981, she was elected to the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. She spent 12 years on the county bench before being nominated by President Clinton to serve on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She was only the second woman appointed to that court-the first was Carol Los Mansmann. In 2002, Ambrose was named chief judge of the court-the first woman to receive that honor. 

Though Judge Ambrose presided over countless cases before her retirement in 2009, perhaps her greatest achievements are found in the cases that never made it to trial. Throughout her career, Judge Ambrose championed the cause of Alternative Dispute Resolution, utilizing mediation, arbitration, and other methods to settle litigants' differences.

Criteria
This scholarship will provide scholarship support to Duquesne Kline Law students from Westmoreland County, PA who seek the same opportunity Judge Ambrose enjoyed -a life-changing legal education at Duquesne Kline School of Law.

To apply, applicants must submit: 

  • A personal statement (500-word limit) explaining the applicant's background, financial need or hardship, and how the scholarship money will affect their life;  
  • Demonstrates significant financial need (must submit the FAFSA);
  • Resume. 

Selma and Edward Goldberg Memorial Scholarship

  Established by the Goldberg and Kamin families and other generous donors in honor of Edward and Selma Goldberg, to provide financial support to one or more Duquesne Kline Law students who have potential to be a community leader in addition to excelling in the legal profession. Read about the life and legacy of Mr. Edward Goldberg.

To apply, applicants must submit:

  • A personal statement (500-word limit) explaining the applicant's background, commitment to service, financial need or hardship, and how the scholarship money will affect their life;
  • Disclosure of the applicant's undergraduate and graduate GPA (permission for the Office of Admissions to disclose this information to the Goldberg Scholarship Committee needs to be granted in writing);
  • Demonstrates financial need (must submit the FAFSA).

The Goldberg scholarship is awarded annually for one year; however, scholarship recipients may be eligible for renewal. All students, including past recipients, must apply every year.  At the end of the academic year, recipients should write a note to the Selma and Edward Goldberg Scholarship Committee and explain how the scholarship benefitted them.  

Judith A. Kasdan Memorial Scholarship 

Judith A. Kasdan (1946-2013) graduated from Duquesne Kline School of Law in 2003. Prior to law school, Judi taught at two Pittsburgh Public Schools, before staying at home to raise her three daughters. She had a great passion for helping others and returned to law school at age 53 to gain the tools and knowledge to better serve those in need. Following her graduation from law school, she became a public defender in Allegheny County. Judi also was a tireless community leader, serving as the President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Pittsburgh, volunteering her time to improve the children's waiting room at the Allegheny County's Family Court Division and helping victims of domestic violence, amongst other worthy projects. 

Criteria:

  • Demonstrates a commitment to public service and social justice;
  • Is a non-traditional student (preferred, not required):
  • Demonstrates financial need (must submit the FAFSA).

To apply, applicants must submit:

  • A personal statement (500-word limit) explaining the applicant's commitment to public service and social justice, financial need or hardship, and any other information that explains why the applicant is a good candidate for the scholarship;
  • A list of 2 references (including name, relationship to applicant, phone number, and e-mail address);
  • Resume. 

Burns White Diversity in the Law Scholarship

Burns White is a top law firm specializing in litigation, transportation law and corporate law.  The Burns White Diversity in the Law Scholarship is a one-time award of $10,000 given to an incoming law student who exemplifies the importance of diversity in the law.  This award will also include a paid summer clerkship at Burns White following the successful completion of the student’s second year of law school, and a mentor from the membership of Burns White for the duration of the student’s law school career.

To apply, applicants must submit:

  • A personal statement (300-word limit) explaining why the applicant is a good candidate for the scholarship;
  • Resume. 

The Susan Yohe Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition Scholarship

The Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC), has created the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship to honor Susan Yohe’s lifetime of service to championing and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community. Yohe is one of the PLDIC’s founders and served as its Executive Director from its inception in 2017 until her retirement in July 2021. PLDIC member Duquesne Light Company has committed to funding the Coalition’s portion of the scholarship.   
One recipient a year will receive a $10,000 tuition scholarship. The scholarship will be renewed for the second and third year of law school, if the recipient remains in good academic standing. 

Criteria:

Recipients of the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Preference shall be given to individuals who demonstrate financial need. Future Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholars will also be invited to meet with the PLDIC Board of Directors, the PLDIC Executive Director, the Deans of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, and leadership from Duquesne Light Company. They will be highlighted and introduced to the 42 PLDIC member organizations through the PLDIC newsletter, social media, and at the PLDIC Annual Members Meeting. Additionally, as more law students are named Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholars, the PLDIC will develop an alumni network for the recipients.  


To apply, applicants must submit:

  • A personal statement (500-word limit) explaining the applicant's commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession;
  • Demonstrates significant financial need (must submit the FAFSA);
  • Resume. 

Honorable Robert E. Colville Scholarship

The Honorable Robert E. Colville Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering or enrolled in the Part-time Evening program and who demonstrates financial need.  The applicant must submit a 500-word essay describing their commitment to service.  Preference may be given to those students who are serving, have served, or plan to serve in the military.

To apply, applicants must submit:

  • A personal statement (500-word limit) explaining the applicant's commitment to service;
  • Demonstrates significant financial need (must submit the FAFSA);
  • Resume. 

Requirements for all Scholarships 

  • Deadline to apply: March 1
  • Include your name on each page of the application
  • Submit all materials via email to: yacobkFREEDUQUESNE%20
  • Include the name of the scholarship in the email subject line* 
    *If submitting multiple applications, please email individually. Include the name of each scholarship in the email subject line.

    If you are applying for a scholarship that requires you to demonstrate financial need you must submit the FAFSA.* 

*You may be aware that although you have filed the FAFSA, FAFSA information has not yet been released to schools.  

We do not want to delay the awarding of these scholarships, so we are asking that you provide the following:

  • A copy of the Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA report.
    Let us know how much loan debt you have accumulated from undergrad and/or graduate programs.

 
Please email a copy of your SAI and loan debt amount to Associate Director of Admissions Kaitlin Yacob at yacobkFREEDUQUESNE by March 6, 2024.

Return to Admitted Students webpage.