J.D. applicants interested in public service law are encouraged to apply to the impactful scholarship program.
IRVINE, Calif. (March 10, 2025) — University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Public Service Scholarship (PSS) provides substantial financial assistance to both incoming and continuing students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to public service and intend to pursue careers in public interest law. To date, the program has supported 49 Public Service Scholarship recipients. By offering tuition assistance, mentorship, and hands-on experience, UC Irvine Law ensures that students committed to public service receive the support they need to thrive. The PSS application for J.D. applicants is available upon submission of a J.D. application; the application for current students is available in late spring and announced via SLATE.
“At UC Irvine Law, we believe that financial barriers should not prevent passionate, talented individuals from pursuing careers in public interest law,” said Cristina Gapasin Tortal, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Student Financial Services. “Through the Public Service Scholarship, we invest in the next generation of legal professionals who will advocate for justice and serve communities in need.”
Public Service Scholarship for J.D. Applicants
The PSS for incoming J.D. students offers a range of benefits, including:
At UC Irvine Law, we believe that financial barriers should not prevent passionate, talented individuals from pursuing careers in public interest law. Through the Public Service Scholarship, we invest in the next generation of legal professionals who will advocate for justice and serve communities in need.
Cristina Gapasin Tortal
Assistant Dean for Admissions & Student Financial Services
- Tuition and Fees: $50,000 in scholarship funds for the first year, renewable for the 2L and 3L years.
- Summer Funding: Stipends for public interest work during both 1L and 2L summers.
- Mentoring & Networking: Scholars receive mentorship from public interest attorneys and participate in networking meals with faculty and practitioners.
- Career Counseling: One-on-one career guidance from career development staff who specialize in public interest law.
- Clinical & Pro Bono Opportunities: Priority enrollment in a second semester clinic and preference for pro bono project selection.
To maintain eligibility, Scholars must sign an annual Public Interest Pledge to work in public interest law during their 1L and 2L summers and for at least three years after graduation, remain in good academic standing, and actively participate in PSS-related activities. The application, which is available upon submission of a J.D. application, is due in spring.
Public Service Scholarship for Current UC Irvine Law Students
Current students may also apply for the PSS, which includes:
- Tuition and Fees: Up to full tuition coverage for 2L year, renewable for 3L year.
- Summer Funding: A stipend for public interest work during the 2L summer.
For more information about the Public Service Scholarship and the application process, please visit the Public Service Scholarship webpage or contact UC Irvine Law’s Admissions team.
- Mentoring, Networking & Career Counseling: Personalized mentorship, faculty networking, and career guidance.
- Pro Bono Project Preference: Priority selection in pro bono projects.
Like incoming J.D. recipients, applicants must sign an annual Public Interest Pledge to work in public interest law during their 2L summer and for at least three years after graduation, remain in good academic standing, and actively participate in PSS-related activities. The PSS application for current students is available in late spring and announced via SLATE. Awards are announced by mid- to late-July.
About UC Irvine Law’s Commitment to Public Service
Founded with an emphasis on public service, UC Irvine Law is recognized as one of the very top law schools in the U.S. for its support of students interested in public interest careers. In addition to the Public Service Scholarship, the school hosts one of the largest pro bono programs in the country, with over 100 pro bono projects offered each semester. The law school has partnerships with dozens of public interest and nonprofit organizations in Southern California; a Public Interest Office that coordinates pro bono activities; and a dedicated professional in the Career Development Office, who provides individual counseling for students interested in public interest and public sector careers.
The Law School’s Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) and Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) provide financial support during and after law school. In fall and spring breaks, students have unique opportunities for intensive public interest experiences locally, nationally and globally, and the Law School’s UCDC program enables students to participate in a collaborative, full-semester externship program in Washington, D.C.
Every J.D. student must enroll in a clinic after their first year and the Law School’s top-ranked clinical program offers approximately 10 core clinics and 7-8 elective clinics, providing critical legal services to low-income and vulnerable communities. Each year, at an Annual Pro Bono Awards event, students and community partners are recognized who have given back. While the goal is for all graduates to incorporate public service into their careers, usually at least 10 percent of the graduating J.D. class secure public interest jobs after graduation.
Public Service Scholar Spotlight: Q&A with Amanda Le, UC Irvine Law ’22
As a law student, Amanda Le was one of three Public Service Scholars in her graduating class and contributed more than 300 hours of pro bono work during her law school career. She also served as a student leader for Orange County’s Clean Slate Expungement Clinic and UC Irvine Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA). Prior to law school, Amanda worked for four years as a policy associate at the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties (ACLU-SDIC). She has served as the chair of the board of directors for the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Justice and was an active member of her law school’s If/When/How chapter. Amanda earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego, and was raised in Visalia, California, within the Central Valley.
How did the Public Service Scholarship support your journey at UC Irvine Law?
The Public Service Scholarship (PSS) supported my journey at UCI Law in several ways. Not only did the scholarship alleviate many financial burdens, but the programming and support I received through the scholarship during law school was invaluable. During law school, I appreciated becoming a part of the PSS network of students and being able to connect with PSS alumni. The connections and mentorship I received greatly helped me in my pursuit of a career in public service.
What kind of work are you doing now, and how has the scholarship helped you get there?
I am currently a Staff Attorney with the Shriver Housing Project at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. In this position, I represent low-income tenants in all phases of litigation in eviction cases. The scholarship helped support my path to Legal Aid, and this work, by helping to reinforce my passion for and commitment to public service. The scholarship helped in showing me the myriad ways you can use a law degree to directly support underserved community members in navigating a complex legal system.
What advice would you give to prospective applicants considering a career in public service?
The advice I would give to applicants considering a career in public service would be to take advantage of exploring all the different areas of law that encompass public service. By doing this, I believe you can not only find many deeply rewarding experiences serving others but also become a more well-rounded public interest attorney. A career in public service does not necessarily require a linear path. Especially in law school, I think it’s worthwhile to be curious about different areas of law which will help you identify different intersections and build your skill set as an advocate.
What inspired you to pursue a career in public interest law?
I am a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant who grew up in a rural, agriculture-centered community in California — aspects which helped me begin to understand the structural inequities that persist and have the greatest impact on the most marginalized in our society. After college, I took a policy advocacy role at the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego Imperial Counties where I was able to work at the intersection of policy and law. While at the ACLU, I continued to develop a passion for social justice work and decided to pursue a law degree with the intention of strengthening my skill set as an advocate. My goal was, and still is, to use my law degree as a tool to better serve my community.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine Law.