JUDGE MARTHA BLOOD WENTWORTH EXCELLENCE IN TAX SCHOLARSHIP

 

The Taxation Section of the Indiana State Bar Association annually awards several individual, one-time, nonrenewable scholarships to Indiana law students who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to the study and practice of tax law.  The minimum scholarship award is one thousand dollars ($1,000); however, the ISBA Tax Section reserves the discretion to award or not award scholarships in any particular year and to increase the amount and number of the awards based on the number of applicants, the strength of the applicants’ submitted materials, and the availability of scholarship funds. 

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage students to enter the practice of tax law in Indiana and to become active members of the ISBA Tax Section by assisting students with their financial needs.  

Eligibility: Any law student is eligible who is in good academic standing, who is enrolled in an Indiana ABA accredited law school at the time the application is submitted, and who intends to practice tax law in Indiana.  Individuals who have been accepted to law school, but have not yet started classes at the time the application is filed, are ineligible to apply. Students anticipating graduating in the year of the scholarship award are eligible to apply.

Criteria: Selection criteria for the scholarships include: merit, scholarship performance, demonstrated experience, and interest in the field of tax law (regardless of particular field of practice, e.g., ERISA, Federal Income Tax, State Tax, or Estate Tax). Consideration is also given to extracurricular activities both inside and outside law school, including but not limited to legal externships or internships with state or federal taxing authorities such as the Internal Revenue Service, Indiana Department of State Revenue, the Indiana Tax Court, the Indiana Board of Tax Review, the Department of Local Government Finance, or Indiana-based legal aid societies and clinics.

Application Materials: Transcripts do not need to be in original or certified form. Please scan upload all relevant documents below. 

Application Submission Deadline: The scholarship application submission window opens on January 1.  Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be uploaded via this form (or emailed to Leah Baker at lbaker@inbar.org with the subject line “Scholarship Application Enclosed”) no later than May 1.

Notification: Scholarships will be awarded by October 1 via email notification to the successful applicant(s), who will be recognized in the ISBA’s Addendum or Res Gestae and at the Annual ISBA Tax Section Recognition Ceremony (usually in November in Indianapolis). Scholarship recipients do have not be present to accept the award but are welcome to attend. 

Questions about the scholarship application may be emailed to Leah Baker at lbaker@inbar.org.

 

Please include a written personal statement below containing any additional narrative or biographical information that the applicant feels relevant (no more than one (1) page double spaced) addressing the following:

·       The reasons why you plan to pursue a career in tax law.;

·       The reasons you intend to pursue your legal career in Indiana;

·       Your long-term career goals;

·       List tax courses you have completed and grade received, and tax courses you are currently taking or intend to take; and

·       List any other academic or experiential qualifications that are relevant for the scholarship committee to consider.  For example, students may describe relevant research, published articles, clubs, competitions, clinics, community service, job or internship or externship experience, or a description of any special or unusual personal or family circumstances relevant to your academic performance.  (This list is not intended to be all-inclusive; we offer it for you to consider the types of information that may be useful in evaluating your application.) 

·       (Optional) Any issues of financial need that you would like the ISBA Tax Section to consider.