A new University of Saskatchewan (U of S) scholarship is being offered by the College of Law for a student who has claimed or is claiming refugee status in Canada.
It will fully fund one juris doctor (JD) student’s tuition, fees and textbooks for their three-year law degree.
“The scholarship goes some way to removing a barrier that might otherwise prevent this person from realizing their goal of attending law school,” Doug Surtees, the associate dean of academic at the U of S College of Law, said in a press release.
“Though many university students know only too well the financial burden of tuition and fees, this is a chance for us to help someone who, as a refugee to this country, faces significant cultural, financial, and educational roadblocks.”
The college hopes the scholarship will highlight the need to create opportunities for less advantaged groups and encourage similar initiatives.
“As a college training future lawyers, we have a vital role to play in helping people, and encouraging our partners, students and community to do the same,” Surtees said.
“We also need to ensure that the opportunity to undertake a legal education remains open to as many groups as possible.”
The Law Students Association unanimously decided to donate $5 from each ticket sold for their First Year Formal event to the scholarship.
Eligible students who secure a place in the college’s JD program for September 2018 will be able to apply for the refugee scholarship.