Awards and bursaries make law school accessible for more students
Lawyers know their law degrees are the foundation of their careers and their contributions to their communities.
Yet, the cost of a legal education means that many people are unable to pursue a law degree. And for some who do make it to law school, the financial burden can be a heavy one. Right now, more than 200 students in the College of Law are identified as having financial challenges.
This is why it’s so important that students have access to awards and bursaries. Financial support means attending law school can depend more on talent than the ability to pay, bringing a more diverse range of experiences and insights into the study and practice of law – and this allows future legal professionals to make an impact in greater and more diverse ways.
Awards also mean that students can worry less about their finances and put more energy towards their legal studies. Keep reading to learn how donor support has impacted these students.
Sarah Valentine, Class 2025, reflects on the impact a merit-based scholarship had for her.
“I have always had a passion for helping people, and growing up I knew I wanted to go into a profession that enabled me to do so, but it has not always been easy. Law school is not cheap, and as students we sacrifice a lot to attend to our studies. This scholarship enables me to breathe a bit more as I enter my last year at the College of Law, stop and smell the roses, reflect on my amazing past few years here and enjoy the remainder of time I have left.”
Karine Poitras, Class 2026, shares how a bursary has inspired her to achieve even more.
“It was a wonderful, and also very welcome, surprise to learn that I have received a bursary. It is an honour to be chosen for this award and I am grateful for your support of my education.
"Philanthropy, in all forms, is about bettering the world; and I think that giving to higher education is a particularly fine example of this. This gift makes such a meaningful difference in my life: it provides a much-needed financial boost; it reinforces all my dedicated efforts as a student; and it inspires me to perform even better than I have already.”
Brock Melnyk, Class ‘24, expresses his gratitude for receiving a scholarship for academic achievement.
“After completing my class in International Law and receiving an award for my achievements, I felt as though I had achieved a significant personal milestone. Even if I do not become an ‘international lawyer,’ I can imagine my younger self being proud of what I have accomplished.
I am extremely thankful for winning this prize; not only is it a recognition of my hard work, but it has also provided crucial financial support during my recent move to a new city. I want to thank College of Law donors for their generosity and support to all law students like myself.”
By increasing the number of awards and bursaries we can offer, more students from a range of backgrounds and communities will be able to get an excellent legal education from USask.
Together, we can help the next generation of lawyers and legal professionals from all walks of life make an even bigger impact on our community and our world.