Stanford provides academic, summer and post-graduate financial assistance to students committed to public interest practice. This reflects our institutional commitment to ensuring equal access to the legal system. It also recognizes the significant disparity in pay between private and public interest practice.

Summer Funding

All Stanford law students who qualify for financial assistance are guaranteed to receive a summer stipend if they work at a non-profit organization or government agency. First-year students receive $5,000 grants and second-year students who are doing a second summer in public interest law receive $7,500 grants.  Joint-degree and JSD students may participate for a maximum of three summers.

• Summer Funding FAQ
• Summer 2013 Funding Application Guidelines
• SUPPLEMENTAL International Funding Application
• Access Essential Summer Funding Forms

Conference Assistance

Each year, the Center provides financial support that assists students to attend relevant conferences and symposia around the world.

Students have received up to $400 each for travel expenses.

Pro Bono Project Support

The Center’s commitment to public service is also manifested through its financial assistance to students who incur expenses related to their volunteer efforts. Last year, we sent dozens of students to the Gulf Coast to assist clients and organizations in New Orleans, LA, Gulfport, MS, and Austin, TX over the winter and spring breaks.

Students have received up to $500 each for travel expenses.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

The Miles and Nancy Rubin Loan Forgiveness Program—the Law School's loan repayment assistance program (LRAP)—provides financial aid to graduates who pursue public interest or government service careers. In 1987, Stanford Law School was the first law school in the country to launch such a program. Today, it still sets the standard for law schools that have followed its lead.

Stanford's commitment to guaranteeing career choices for its graduates is demonstrated by LRAP's success. The program reflects one of the school's key values: that public service is a worthy pursuit and that lawyers have a professional obligation to participate in public service throughout the course of their careers.

For those graduates who take public interest or public sector jobs and have need-based educational debt, Stanford Law School will lend funds to eligible applicants to help meet their monthly educational loan payments. If the graduate remains for three or more years in qualifying public interest employment, a portion of the loans made by the Law School may be canceled. Up to 100% of funds loaned may be forgiven.

For the latest terms of the Miles and Nancy Rubin Loan Forgiveness Program, visit the LRAP section.