Which of These 4 Law School Scholarships Best Fits You?

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Miles Keenlyside July 30, 2014

Law school isn’t cheap, students can expect to borrow an average of $70-90,000 before they graduate. Fortunately there are plenty of options to help law students ease their financial burden.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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If you're thinking about going to law school, you're probably also thinking about how you’re going to pay for it. You’re probably thinking about that part a lot.

Law school isn’t cheap, students can expect to borrow an average of $70-90,000 before they graduate. Fortunately there are plenty of options to help law students ease their financial burden.

Law school scholarships are offered for a wide variety of reasons to a diverse selection of students. There are general scholarships available to all students who qualify, as well as scholarships for students from under-represented or minority groups.

The kind of payouts that these scholarships vary widely as well. There is everything from large $10,000 dollar scholarships from organizations like The Federal Circuit Bar Association to smaller $500 supplemental scholarships like the Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. Scholarship. Take the time to explore your options, you may find a scholarship that is tailor-fit to your needs.

General Scholarships

These scholarships are mostly merit-based scholarships that students from any background can apply for. These types of scholarships are offered by a wide variety of organizations including private scholarship foundations, law firms or any number of philanthropic organizations. These types of general scholarships are highly competitive, make sure you put your best foot forward when you apply for these scholarships.

State or Local Scholarships

There may be scholarships available to you based on where you are from, or where you will be attending school. For example, The Connecticut Association of Professional Financial Aid Administrators offers financial aid for students attending a professional or graduate school in the state of Connecticut, and organizations like the Iranian American Bar Association offer financial aid to law students of Iranian heritage. These aren’t the only two of course, depending on where you are going and where you are from, there may be plenty of these types of scholarships available to you.

Diversity Scholarships

Many scholarships are intended to increase diversity among graduate law students, and help minority groups pass the bar exam. Organizations like the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers, the Japanese American Citizens League or the Black Women Lawyer’s Association offer assistance for under-represented demographics. Use your background to your advantage, and see if you qualify for any diversity scholarships.

Special Scholarships

There are also scholarships that are available to students due to certain special circumstances. Organizations like Families of Freedom offers scholarships to students who were affected by 9/11, Birth Injury Justice helps students whose lives have been affected by a birth injury and the Ashley Rose Honorary Diabetes Law Student Scholarship funds students who have been affected by diabetes. These are only a few examples, if you suspect one or more aspects of your life may qualify you for a special scholarship, certainly take the time to apply.