Postgraduate Opportunities

The Ball State University Law Scholars Program is an endeavor between Ball State University and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (Indianapolis). The program is designed to advance both institutions' strong commitments to providing meaningful pathways for students to advance their academic interests. This collaboration seeks to provide talented students interested in the study of law the ability to obtain an affordable legal education at one of the nation's top public law schools. The goal is to provide undergraduate students interested in obtaining a Juris Doctor degree ("J.D.") with a scholarship (equaling approximately a 50% total savings off the cost of the McKinney School of Law's tuition) as provided below; invitations to exclusive events that provide opportunities to network with alumni and professionals in the field; and other opportunities through the McKinney School of Law. 

Students admitted to the Program will receive a scholarship amounting to approximately 50% of tuition per year: 

• for 3 years while continuing in the full-time program, or 
• for 4 years while continuing in the part-time program

conditioned on the student maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 during that time. The scholarship will be equally applied toward fall and spring tuition over the student's years of attendance, but in no event will the amount applied exceed the amount charged for tuition. The student will be responsible for paying any difference between their scholarship and the total cost of tuition and other costs associated with attendance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the scholarship is not stackable with other merit-based scholarships the student may be awarded; in the event of receiving a merit-based scholarship, the student will be limited to receiving the highest scholarship awarded to that student. 

Ball State University students or alumni applying for admission to study in the McKinney School of Law's J.D. program will be considered for the Program. The expectation is that each year, the McKinney School of Law will accept up to two applicants into the Program, assuming sufficient qualified applications. The Program is open to both current Ball State University students who will be earning a bachelor's degree prior to matriculating in the McKinney School of Law's J.D. program and Ball State University alumni who hold a bachelor's degree from the school. 

• Each year, the McKinney School of Law will provide Ball State University with a list of its graduates who have applied to the McKinney School of Law. 
• Students must fulfill all the criteria for admission into the McKinney School of Law and admission to the J.D. program will follow the McKinney School of Law's usual admission procedures. Students must submit their completed applications to McKinney School of Law through www.LSAC.org by March 1 preceding the academic year in which the student wishes to enroll. The application fee will be waived. 
• The McKinney School of Law will accept students based on indications that the student will succeed in McKinney School of Law, considering prior academic performance, any letters of recommendation, past professional and other experience, interest in studying at the McKinney School of Law, and other factors the two institutions may wish to consider. 
• Students not admitted under the Program will still be considered for admission to the McKinney School of Law through the regular admissions process. 
• Students admitted to the Program must accept and submit the required confirmation form and pay their deposit no later than April 15 of the year the students have been admitted to matriculate into the J .D. program. Should a student not accept the offer of admission or submit the required confirmation form and deposit by April 15, the scholarship may be forfeited so that McKinney School of Law can reallocate the scholarship money to other applicants.