Varghese Summersett awards several scholarships each year, including a $1,000 Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship for law school students, a $1,000 Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship for Boys & Girls Club members, and $500 special needs scholarships for students with Down syndrome and autism. Applications are accepted on a rolling annual basis.
Varghese Summersett is a premier Texas law firm with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston. The firm’s 70+ legal professionals handle criminal defense, family law, and personal injury cases across Texas. Beyond the courtroom, the firm is deeply committed to the communities it serves — funding scholarships for law students, students with Down syndrome, students with autism, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County.
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What Scholarships Does Varghese Summersett Offer?
Each year, Varghese Summersett gives back to the community by awarding scholarships to deserving students across four programs. Two of the firm’s top criminal defense attorneys, Christy Jack and Letty Martinez, have children with special needs and are passionate advocates for youth with disabilities. That personal commitment drives the firm’s special needs scholarship programs. Below is a full overview of every scholarship currently offered.
Down Syndrome Scholarship
Varghese Summersett awards an annual $500 Down Syndrome Scholarship to a deserving student who needs financial support for educational or recreational opportunities. The award can be applied toward camp, tutoring, classes, secondary education, post-secondary education, or any tool that helps the child learn and flourish.
This scholarship was created to honor the attorneys at our firm who are parents of children with disabilities and who understand firsthand the financial and emotional demands families face. If you know a student with Down syndrome who could benefit from this award, visit the Down Syndrome Scholarship page to learn more and submit an application.
Autism Scholarship
Varghese Summersett also awards an annual $500 Autism Scholarship to a youth diagnosed with autism. This scholarship is designed to help offset the cost of recreational or educational opportunities, including camp, tutoring, classes, or tools that support the student’s progress and quality of life.
To submit an application for an autistic child in your life, visit the Autism Scholarship page for complete details and instructions.
Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship
Varghese Summersett awards a $1,000 Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship each year to a deserving law school student with an interest in criminal justice. Applicants are asked to identify a piece of legislation or a law they believe is outdated and explain how updating it would benefit society. Students interested in a career in the criminal justice field are strongly encouraged to apply.
Deadline: Midnight on October 1, 2026
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 award cycle. Visit the Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship page for full eligibility requirements and to submit your application.
Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 1, 2026
On February 16, 2024, Elena Rios, a mother of four and grandmother of 13, was tragically killed in a forklift accident at a north Fort Worth Walmart distribution center. Elena was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and active member of the north Fort Worth community.
Varghese Summersett is honored to represent Elena’s family. In her memory, the firm has established the Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship, which awards $1,000 annually to a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC). This scholarship exists to carry Elena’s legacy forward by investing in the young people of the community she loved.
Visit the Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship page for eligibility details and to apply before the June 1, 2026 deadline.
Watch: Varghese Summersett Special Needs Scholarships
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
Varghese Summersett has grown into one of Texas’s most respected law firms because the firm’s leaders believe that success means more than winning cases. The firm holds board certifications in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law, has achieved over 1,600 dismissals and 800+ charge reductions for clients, and has earned more than 1,100 five-star reviews. That same standard of excellence and community investment extends to the firm’s scholarship and philanthropy programs.
Every scholarship reflects something personal. The special needs programs grew from the lives of the attorneys who work here. The Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship came from the firm’s commitment to the family it represents. The Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship reflects a belief that the legal system can and should evolve. These are not marketing efforts. They are a reflection of who this firm is.
Award-Winning Legal Excellence
Local Organizations We Support
In addition to our scholarship programs, Varghese Summersett supports a range of Fort Worth non-profits and civic organizations that strengthen the Tarrant County community:
- Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
- WORTH
- Tarrant County Volunteer Services
- Kimbell Art Museum
- Rotary Club of Fort Worth
- Habitat for Humanity
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
Learn more about our broader involvement in the community at Community Involvement or find helpful Community Resources for Tarrant County residents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Varghese Summersett Scholarships
Who is eligible for the Down Syndrome Scholarship?
The Down Syndrome Scholarship is open to any student with Down syndrome who needs financial assistance for educational or recreational opportunities, including camp, tutoring, or tools for learning. There is no age or geographic restriction stated in the program guidelines.
Who is eligible for the Autism Scholarship?
The Autism Scholarship is open to youth diagnosed with autism. The award can be used for camp, tutoring, classes, or any tool that supports the student’s growth and quality of life.
Who can apply for the Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship?
Current law school students with an interest in pursuing a career in the criminal justice field may apply. Applicants must write about a law or piece of legislation they believe is outdated and explain how changing it would benefit society. The 2026 deadline is midnight on October 1, 2026.
What is the Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship?
The Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 annual scholarship awarded to a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County. It was established by Varghese Summersett in memory of Elena Rios, who was killed in a 2024 workplace accident. The 2026 application deadline is June 1, 2026.
Does Varghese Summersett support any community organizations?
Yes. The firm supports numerous Fort Worth-area non-profits, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Habitat for Humanity, the Rotary Club of Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, and Tarrant County Volunteer Services.
