Scholar Entries - Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois

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Are you a past recipient of an Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund award?

Name

Monica Vigil

Current Mailing Address

11462 S. Mather Ave
Alsip, IL 60803
United States
Map It

Phone

(708) 307-3810

Connection to Illinois

Native Illinoisan

In what city do you intend to practice law upon graduation?

Chicago, IL

Name of Law School

University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Class year

2nd year law student

Full Time or Part Time Student?

Full Time

Date you began attending THIS law school

08/13/2024

Anticipated Graduation Date

05/11/2027

Current GPA

3.50

Law School Class Rank (if known)

48/239

Law School Honors, Awards or Special Recognitions

Fall 2025, Deans List

Name of Undergraduate Institution

Saint Xavier University

Degree (BA, BSE, etc.) and Concentration/Major

BA of Arts in Criminal Justice and Spanish

Undergraduate Graduation Date

05/12/2024

GPA

4.00

Undergraduate Honors, Awards, or Special Recognitions

Dean’s List, 2020 - 2024
Outstanding Spanish for the Professions Student Award

Were you employed in 2025?

yes

If yes, please identify your employer(s).

Dixon Law Office

What was your immediate family’s (including you and your spouse or domestic partner, if applicable) estimated income from all sources for the 2025 Tax Year?

$4,000

Do you expect to be employed in 2026?

yes

If yes, please identify your employer(s).

Sterling Lawyers LLC

Please estimate your immediate family’s (including you and your spouse or domestic partner, if applicable) income from all sources for the 2026 Tax year

$5,000

Please estimate your parent's average annual household income over the last five years

$700,000

Do your parents own or rent their home? Please describe, if necessary

Own

Describe your parents' health insurance situation. Do they have employer-sponsored health insurance, health insurance through the exchange, or no health insurance?

Employee Sponsored

LIST below your total EXPENSES for attending law school for ONE YEAR (Please refer to example in FAQs)

Total Tuition Cost $

$40,000

Books Cost $

$1,200

Fees Cost $

$2,000

Housing Cost $

0.00

Food Cost $

$5,000

Total Expenses $ (add above entries)

$48,200

LIST below your total FUNDING sources you plan to use to pay for these expenses (Please refer to example in FAQs)

Student Loans $

$40,000

Scholarships and Grants $

$2,000

Personal Contribution (Savings/Employment) $

0.00

Family Contribution $ (include parents, spouse, partner, etc.)

0.00

Total Funding $ (add above entries)

$42,000

For 2Ls and 3Ls, what is your current TOTAL loan debt from the previous law school years?

$97,000

Please list any community service activities with which you have been involved in the last ten years, paying particular attention to activities in support of the Hispanic community. For each activity, please include the dates of your participation, a short description of the organization and the community they serve, and a description of the activity you performed to help them. (Please read FAQs before completing)

Latinx Law School Association (August 2024–Present): I have been involved in the Latinx Law School Association, a student organization at UIC Law dedicated to supporting Latinx law students and advancing equity, access, and representation within the legal profession. Through this involvement, I have participated in mentorship and networking events connecting Latinx students with attorneys, judges, and alumni; assisted with programming for prospective and first-generation law students to promote access to legal education; and supported discussions and events addressing legal issues that disproportionately impact the Hispanic community, including immigration and civil rights. My participation has contributed to fostering a supportive academic environment and strengthening engagement between the legal community and the broader Hispanic community.

Ronald McDonald House & Feed My Starving Children (2021-2022): I volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, where I helped package and prepare meals for children and families facing food insecurity, and with the Ronald McDonald House, where I supported families of hospitalized children by assisting with facility upkeep and family-support activities. These experiences reflect my ongoing commitment to service, community support, and advocacy for vulnerable and underserved populations.

Palos Heights Rehabilitation Center (2021): I volunteered at Palos Heights Rehabilitation Center, where I supported staff and residents by assisting with daily activities and providing companionship to patients undergoing rehabilitation. I was able to partipate and help organize games and activities with the residents.

Please provide a statement describing your background and focus your statement on your reasons for pursuing a legal career and your legal career goals. This statement is important. Please give it appropriate attention. (min. 1000 characters) (Please read FAQs before completing)

My name is Monica Vigil, and my decision to pursue a legal career is rooted in my family’s history, my lived experiences, and my commitment to serving others. I am half Mexican and half Italian, and I am the first law student on both sides of my family as well as the first college graduate on my father’s side. Every one of my grandparents immigrated to the United States in search of opportunity, and my upbringing was shaped by watching my father, who came to this country from Mexico at age 18 with nothing, work tirelessly to build a life for our family and provide me with opportunities he never had.
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the complexity, uncertainty, and emotional toll of the immigration system. I saw my father navigate legal processes that were confusing, intimidating, and often inaccessible without proper guidance. These experiences left a lasting impression on me and instilled a deep sense of responsibility to advocate for individuals and families who face similar challenges. I came to understand that access to competent legal representation can mean the difference between stability and separation, security and fear.
My commitment to public service was further shaped through my work with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, where I directly assisted immigrants and other constituents facing legal and bureaucratic barriers. In this role, I spoke with individuals struggling with immigration issues, missing or incorrect Social Security records, and other obstacles that affected their ability to work, receive benefits, or remain with their families. While my role was limited, the experience reinforced my desire to become an attorney who can provide meaningful, hands-on assistance to those navigating complex legal systems.
I am particularly interested in pursuing a legal career in immigration and family law because these fields sit at the intersection of law and humanity. They involve real people, real families, and life-altering consequences. I am passionate about helping individuals not only understand their legal rights but also feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the process.
Law school represents more than a professional goal for me, it is a continuation of my family’s journey and a way to honor the sacrifices that made my education possible. As an attorney, I hope to advocate for immigrant families, protect vulnerable individuals, and work toward a legal system that is more accessible, equitable, and compassionate. My background, experiences, and values have prepared me to approach the legal profession with empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to service.

Please upload a copy of your financial award letter labeled as follows: LastName.FirstName.FinAwardLtr*

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Vigil.Monica.FinAwardLtr.pdf

Please upload a copy of your resume labeled as follows: LastName.FirstName.Resume*

Please upload a copy of your law school transcript labeled as follows: LastName.FirstName.LSTranscript*