U.S. Army, IU Maurer School of Law launch historic new scholarship program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- In a world filled with acronyms, soldiers from the United States Army will have the opportunity to add another to their resume under a historic agreement between the Army and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law: a J.D.
The two organizations have signed an agreement creating the U.S. Army Law Scholars Program -- believed to be the first partnership between the Army and a major law school -- that will allow qualifying officers and enlisted soldiers to pursue a legal education during their time of service.
Qualifying soldiers, from both active duty and reserve personnel, will receive an approximately $75,000 nonresident scholarship (amounting to at least 50 percent of tuition) to the law school and be paired with both an alumni and student mentor for the duration of their time in Bloomington.
“This program is designed to advance the U.S. Army’s commitment to its officers and enlisted personnel’s professional development,” said Col. Corey L. Bradley, chief of the Personnel, Plans and Training Office with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. “Our new program with the Maurer School of Law will provide qualified U.S. Army officers and enlisted personnel interested in the study of law the ability to obtain an affordable education at one of the nation’s top public law schools.”
“Indiana University has deep and rich ties to the military,” said Austen L. Parrish, dean of the Maurer School and the James H. Rudy Professor of Law. “We are honored to advance our commitment to supporting the U.S. military and providing meaningful pathways for students to advance their academic interests. We’re going to be able to attract quality applicants, and the U.S. Army in turn is going to get back highly trained and skilled attorneys.”
The U.S. Army has numerous programs to prepare new attorneys for the JAG Corps. In addition to the Maurer partnership, the Funded Legal Education Program selects 25 active-duty commissioned officers for law school each year; the Reserve Officers' Training Corps allows newly commissioned officers an educational delay to attend law school before joining the JAG Corps; the Career Intermission Pilot Program provides a one-time, three-year transition from active duty to the Individual Ready Reserve to allow officers and enlisted personnel to pursue opportunities like law school; and the LL.M. program sends existing attorneys back to institutions to obtain advanced legal degrees in a specialized practice area of law.
Service members interested in becoming a U.S. Army Law Scholar must meet the traditional requirements of any other student admitted into the Maurer School of Law.
Indiana University's relationship with American armed forces is extensive: In 2014 alone, three students were named Tillman Military Scholars, and one went on to attend law school. The university's ROTC program is consistently ranked one of the best of its kind nationally. And the Maurer School of Law's Disability Law Clinic has taken on new responsibilities by committing resources to the service of Indiana veterans.
“We couldn’t be more proud to offer this opportunity to the brave men and women who have devoted their lives to serving our country,” Parrish said. “We look forward to welcoming some of our nation’s finest to Baier Hall.”
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Media Contacts
Ken Turchi
- IU Maurer School of Law
- Office 812-856-4044
- Cell 317-513-0321
- kturchi@indiana.edu
James Boyd
- IU Maurer School of Law
- Office 812-855-0156
- joboyd@indiana.edu