Scholarship Application

The Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, Inc.

2024 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2024

The Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, Inc. (“Scholarship Fund”) is accepting applications for its annual scholarships. The Scholarship Fund was established to promote diversity within the legal profession by providing scholarships to law students from ABA-accredited law schools who can demonstrate contributions or a commitment to the Puerto Rican and Latino community.
Applicants must be enrolled in the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year and demonstrate financial hardship.
Scholarships towards the legal education of applicants will be awarded based on one or more of the following factors:

• Academic Excellence
• Community Involvement
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion within the Legal Profession
• Financial Need

In order to be eligible for the Scholarship, applicants must also evidence one of the following connections to New York or New Jersey:

• Resident of either the State of New York or State of New Jersey.
• Enrolled in an ABA Accredited New York State or New Jersey State law school.
• Stated commitment to work in New York State after completing their law school education.

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship application, please email [email protected]

Application Requirements

• Completed applications must be received by June 30, 2024.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified by Friday, August 9, 2024
• Award recipients will be honored by The Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, Inc. at its Annual Scholarship Gala on September 10, 2024 at Tribeca Rooftop.
• Scholarship recipients will receive a complimentary ticket to the Scholarship Gala.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered by the Scholarship Committee.
• All applications, essays, and required materials must be submitted via the online application form.

Applicants must submit all of the following to the Scholarship Committee by June 30, 2024:

• Cover letter describing how their academic, personal, and professional accomplishments qualify them to receive a scholarship award.
• Completed 2024 Scholarship Application
• Resume
• Most recent transcript (note: students entering their 1L year must submit transcripts from their undergraduate institution or most recent post-graduate institution)
• Class registration or other proof of enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year
• Two letters of recommendation from any of the following:
  • Dean, Associate Dean, or Professor at Applicant’s law school (note: students entering their first year of law school may submit a recommendation from a Dean, Associate Dean, or Professor from their undergraduate or post- graduate institution);
  • Member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association who is in good standing;
  • An individual who is personally acquainted with the applicant, but not related by blood, marriage, or adoption; or
  • A former employer of the applicant.
• Proof of Financial Need.
• Essay: Applicants must submit a legal commentary from one of the following four topics (2,000 words or less): Your selected essay must cite case law, statute, rule of law, or ordinance you reasonably believe supports your legal commentary.
  1. Should the line of cases decided by the Supreme Court, commonly known as the “Insular Cases,” be overturned? Discuss their historical context, legal implications, and contemporary relevance to the issues of citizenship, constitutional rights, and colonialism.
  2. What are some negative impacts on island residents that have resulted from the creation of PROMESA and efforts to address the island’s financial debt, and what proposals do you suggest might remedy such impacts? Please support your proposals with citations to historical, legal and contemporary texts, decisions, legislation, or comparable sources
  3. Should “Hispanic” or “Latino” be considered a “race” for purposes of Title VII benefits and protection? Please explain.
  4. Examine the disparities in the treatment of individuals accused of crimes in Puerto Rico at the federal level compared to those accused in on the mainland United States. How might historical, cultural, and legal factors contribute to such differential treatment?