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J.D. Financial Aid > Scholarships > Scholarship Archive > 2007-2008 TYLA Minority Scholarship Program

2007-2008 TYLA Minority Scholarship Program

EXPIRED: October 19, 2007.

TYLA Organizational History & Committee Overview

The Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) began over 60 years ago as the Texas Junior Bar Association. Growing from an initial membership of 200 lawyers, the organization now boasts over 20,000 members. Each attorney licensed in Texas who is age 36 or younger as of June 1, or who is within his or her initial 60-month licensing period before June 1, is a regular member of TYLA. No application or separate dues are required.

TYLA has approximately 15 special committees that promote projects and programs aimed at either assisting lawyers in their profession or serving the public. Each committee's specific goals are accomplished through the work of its volunteer members. Several TYLA programs directly impact law students and new lawyers.

The Minority Involvement Committee

The Minority Involvement Committee (MIC) was created in 1985. Its objectives are:

• to facilitate and encourage minorities to enter the legal profession; and
• to promote increased participation by minority lawyers in the activities, programs, and projects of the Texas Young Lawyers Association and the State Bar of Texas

The Minority Scholarship Program is one of the many MIC-sponsored projects designed to meet these objectives each year. MIC members, many of whom are minority attorneys, review all applications and select the scholarship recipients. TYLA supports diversity in the profession and includes in its definition of minority both ethnic and gender minority populations in the bar.

Scholarship Objectives

The Minority Scholarship Program fulfills both of the MIC objectives. It facilitates minorities entering the legal profession by providing financial assistance to selected minority law students to help them meet the rigorous challenges and financial burdens of law school. It encourages minority involvement in TYLA, and thus the State Bar, by introducing and familiarizing minority students with the association's activities. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one minority student at each of the following schools:

Scholarship Criteria and Eligibility

The scholarship will be awarded to a law student who is a member of a recognized minority group, including but not limited to women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. The recipient must either be attending or have been admitted to an accredited Texas law school. Selection criteria will include: financial need, merit, and scholastic performance. Coordination will also be given to extracurricular activities both inside and outside law school.

An application may be accessed and downloaded from the TYLA website www.tyla.org. Applications may also be obtained at the law school financial aid office or by contacting other of the addresses or phone numbers below:

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To Apply:

Mail a completed application to:

TYLA Minority Involvement Committee
P.O. Box 12487, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711-2487

All applications must be postmarked no later than October 19, 2007.