Supporting Bar Pass Stipends at UMass Law:
UMass Law is the Commonwealth's public law school, with a mission to prepare our students to Pursue Justice. We are proudly an access and opportunity law school, with the vast majority of our students being first-generation law students, and many of those students being first-generation college graduates. Upon completion of their studies, our deserving students transition to prepare for the bar exam, an undertaking we know requires intense dedication, focus, and concentration. Many of our students, however, are not financially able to take time off after graduation to prepare for the bar exam. Instead, they have to work while they are studying for the bar, which makes passing the exam challenging. Dean of the University of Massachusetts School of Law, Sam Panarella, proudly awards bar pass stipends each year, allowing students to receive funds to help pay rent and cover other life necessities, such as food and day care, while they are studying for the bar exam. While this has been quite successful, the amount of student need has continued to rise year after year. These awards have had hugely positive impact on our students' ability to focus on bar study over the summer rather than having to fit it in between work and other demands.
Our fundraising goal:
This year, our goal is to raise funds in support of Bar Pass Stipends at UMass Law, which will be distributed in the Summer of 2025. With more than $50,000 in pledged matching gift support by the UMass Law Dean’s Advisory Board members, your gift to these stipends will provide access and opportunity, increasing the number of UMass Law graduates who pass the bar exam on their first attempt and are able to get out in our communities to pursue justice. Your contribution makes a tangible difference in the lives of these future legal leaders.
The impact of your support: Raul's story
"The Bar Stipend provided by UMass Law helped me tremendously. It allowed me to study full-time and dedicate myself entirely to the California Bar. The stipend covered essential expenses such as food, gas, and a portion of my rent. Not only did it support me financially, but it also provided significant mental relief. I no longer had to worry about how I would pay for lunch, dinner, or gas to get to the library to study. This reduced my stress and allowed me to focus entirely on my studies. I am extremely grateful for the stipend, and there is no doubt that it played a crucial role in helping me pass the California Bar." - Raul Calderon JD '24
The impact of your support: Shelby's story
"The stipend I received while studying helped me tremendously. I was able to study full time without having to work. I was able to pay for both my rent and groceries which sustained me throughout my bar prep. As a first-generation law student, I had no idea what to expect when it came to monetary preparations for the Bar Exam. Thankfully, through the support of the community, I was able to rest assured knowing I would be able to maintain my housing while studying. I truly believe I would not have been able to accomplish a passing score had it not been from the monetary and academic support I received from UMass." -Shelby Jimcosky JD '23