Law Scholarships

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How Do You Get Law School Scholarships?

To receive a law school scholarships, you need to be a new and first year (1L) law student in a Juris Doctor degree program. Many schools consider admitted students for merit scholarships while need based awards require you to fill out a FAFSA.

If you got this far, you likely took your LSATs already. The LSAT is accepted for admission purposes by many ABA accredited law schools. A high LSAT score may help you qualify for full funding for a three year Juris Doctor program. The highest possible score of the test is 180.

Schools generally use these scores as a metric for acceptance and the amount of scholarship money they offer you. As a college student, an impressive GPA plus high test scores may help you when it comes to getting graduate scholarships for law.

Once you earn your JD degree and pass the Bar Exam, one option may be to pursue a career at a law firm. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many lawyers today earn a median annual salary of $135,740 per year.

How To Apply for a Law Scholarship?

Besides your test scores, each scholarship program comes with a set of criteria to meet. These awards could be for women, minority groups and specific law majors. But in most cases are for U.S. citizens.

Eligible law school students who qualify have to fill out a scholarship application form. It is wise to follow the directions and apply by or before the application deadline.

Along with the form, you might need to supply transcripts, resume, and explain your goals. Some providers seek a very strong community service background too. If there is an essay, be clear and use the directions as a guide.

10 Scholarships for Law Students You Can Apply for in 2024

Are you wondering what scholarships are available for graduate students attending law school? You’re in luck because we have hundreds of law school awards. These awards may help you pay for law degree and reduce your school debt by the time you graduate. Check out these ten scholarships that you can apply for now!

  1. Anhelo Dream Project Scholarship
  2. Legal Opportunity Scholarship
  3. Earl Warren Scholarship
  4. Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
  5. MALDEF Law School Scholarship
  6. Attorney Ken Nugent Legal Scholarship
  7. ABA Academic Merit Scholarship
  8. LimNexus Scholarship
  9. La Raza Foundation Scholarship
  10. Warner Norcross & Judd Law School and Paralegal Scholarship

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAW SCHOOL?

The cost of law school may vary depending on where you study. Tuition and fees differ across institutions and whether you are in state vs out of state. Additional college expenses such as housing, books, and transportation  contribute to the cost of law school.

According to the NCES, the average tuition cost of a graduate degree is $11,617 per yea at a public school. If you choose a private school, you are likely to pay more at $26,551 per year at a nonprofit college. The difference between tuition and fees at private schools and public schools is huge: around $14,900.

The NCES also found that 75% of students who completed a professional doctorate such as a law degree had student loans. They also report the average total loan balance was about $145,500 per borrower.

Are There Full Ride Scholarships to Law School? 

Full ride law scholarships are more common. These pay tuition and mandatory fees for all three years. Most schools make them available to first year students who may qualify. 

For example, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School awards full tuition through the Toll Public Interest Scholars program. You also a receive a stipend to fund unpaid public sector internships. Eligible scholars must be in good academic standing, commit to work in public interest and the community.  

Which Law Schools Offer Scholarships?

University of Chicago, New York University, and University of Virginia provide scholarships for admitted law students. Other major universities in the United States with Juris Doctor programs offer scholarships for graduate students studying law. Here are two prestigious law schools and their scholarships to check out.

University of Chicago

University of Chicago School of Law offers a Juris Doctor as well as a Joint JD /MBA program. In the first year of the JD, your courses may teach you about  contracts, torts, property, criminal law and civil procedures. As you get into the upper level courses, you may study equality, civil rights, health law and taxation. 

Every admitted student is automatically considered for scholarships. One to try for is the Tony Patiño Fellowship. Each year there are 1 to 2 Fellows, chosen on the basis of merit. Eligible students must exhibit leadership, academic success and initiative. Each recipient receives at least $10,000 per year for their studies and takes part in Fellowship events as a side benefit.

University of Virginia

University School of Law offers a JD that includes core courses in the first year. Second year law students focus on patent and administrative law, the federal courts and independent research. Year three is research focused and explores areas like trusts and estates. Students also have access to study abroad, dual degree options and externships. 

You may qualify for graduate scholarships as a new law student such as the Karsh Dillard Scholarships. A Karsh Dillard Scholar receives a sufficient amount to cover full tuition and fees for three years of their legal education. Awardee must be in good academic standing in order to receive the scholarship.

Do Law Schools Give Merit Scholarships?

Yes, some law schools give merit scholarships. University of Pennsylvania and UCL

A are some universities where you may receive merit based awards. Sometimes, there is no separate application and eligible graduates may be automatically considered when applying for admission. 

Many law schools look at your LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, community service and school activities. The admissions office typically reviews eligible applicants for merit based aid. You may also request more financial aid based on admissions and scholarship offers from other schools.

University of Pennsylvania

Penn Law has a full time program leading to the JD. Penn Law also offers an LLM and other law graduate degrees. The JD course plan includes externships, pro bono duties, and senior research and writing project. 

To help those who qualify, the school offers merit scholarships such as the Dean’s Scholarship. These awards range from $9,000 to $120,000 in tuition coverage. In addition to academic achievements, eligible students must show leadership, service, and personal or work experience.

University of California Los Angeles

UCLA School of Law offers two distinct merit scholarships. These scholarship opportunities use criteria such as grades, LSAT scores and leadership. 

One is the the Distinguished Scholars Program. It is a binding merit based full tuition scholarship program. And, only for a few exceptionally qualified applicants.

Recipients of the award who are CA residents get full resident tuition and fees for three academic years. As long as they remain in good standing. Non CA residents will be awarded full non-resident tuition and fees for L 1. Then, full California resident tuition and fees for L 2 and 3.

Are There Scholarships for Minority Law Students?

Law school scholarships for minority law students and women help nurture diversity in the field. Such awards also provide valuable financial help to under served law graduate students towards their goals.

Doctorate degrees in legal professions and studies hold a 23% share of all degrees earned at this level. Recent NCES data shows a 50 /50 split in the number of men and women who attained law degrees. The numbers vary for various minority groups below.

  • Black – 23%
  • Hispanic – 33%
  • Asian – 13%
  • Pacific Islander – 24%
  • American Indian – 36%
  • Two or More Races – 26%

Law Scholarships for African American Students

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc is one provider of law scholarships for African American law students. NAACP is the legal organization that fights for racial justice through litigation, advocacy and public education. One of the programs they run is the Earl Warren Scholarship.

This is an annual award that goes to rising law students committed to racial justice. Eligible applicants tend to show potential as civil rights and public interest attorneys. To qualify, you must be a first or second year full time law student at an ABA accredited school.

Earl Warren Scholarship awards are $10,000 per year for three years or for a total of $30,000. Along with the award there are two opportunities for an LDF internship, externship, or guided research project and an invitation to LDF’s Civil Rights Training Institute.

African American law students might also find scholarships that are location specific. The James W. Stoudt Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation is one example. It provides 3 scholarships of $3,000 each to support minority law students at a few partner schools.

Scholarships for Hispanic Law Students

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) may be a good resource for Hispanic students. MALDEF supports law students who seek to further advance the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.

In the past years, MALDEF awarded from 5 to 15 law school scholarships of $2,000 each to deserving Hispanic law students throughout the nation.

The program is open to eligible law students currently enrolled full time at an ABA accredited school. Other criteria they look at are grades, financial need and outside school activities. Above all, eligible applicant must show dedication to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.

MCCA or the Minority Corporate Counsel Association offers law scholarships for Hispanic women. They offer the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program. It helps law students pay for tuition, books and fees. Eligible fellows receive $10,000 a year for three years to help defray the cost of a JD degree. They also receive a one time award of $10,000 to assist with 1L expenses.

Law School Scholarships for Women

Female law students may find law school scholarships through the AAUW or American Association of University Women. They offer several fellowships and grants each year. 

BARBRI, a provider of legal exam prep courses, offers One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship. It is for eligible incoming first year law students for fall semester. To apply, you need to write an essay about “How you hope to use your law degree to change our world”. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and $5,000 for second place. There are also 8 runners up who take away $1,000 each.

Law Scholarships for Immigrants and Children of Immigrants  

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program is an annual award. It honors immigrants and children of immigrants who are in pursuit of a graduate degree. This year, due to COVID 19 they’ve expanded their criteria to include online law degree programs too. 

To be eligible, you must be an eligible New American graduate student who is 30 years or younger by the application deadline. You may either be a naturalized US citizen, green card holder, adopted immigrant, DACA recipient, refugee and asylee. You must plan to start or continue in an eligible program full time in the United States. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years.

List of Law School Scholarships

Check out our list of 10,166 scholarships for law school worth $31M.

Goostree Law Group Bright Futures Scholarship

The Goostree Law Group gladly offers financial assistance to college and university students twice a year through our Bright Futures Scholarship. This award opportunity is provided to students with demonstrated financial need who exhibit leadership, determination, and passion in their academic studies and personal lives. The Goostree Law Group Bright Futures Scholarship provides one student each semester with the opportunity to receive $2,500. The award may be used toward the student’s educational expenses, including tuition and books.
Award Amount

Total: $2500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 20, 2024

Conquering Challenges

As Booker T. Washington said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.“ Adversity often strikes unexpectedly throughout our lives, leaving us with physical or emotional setbacks. These hardships can become hard to surmount obstacles but can also be opportunities for growth and change. Sometimes, we must tap into our inner determination to forage ahead despite setbacks. At Tomeny Best, we understand the immense power that emerges from these moments of struggle as they pave the way for stories of triumph and perseverance. We watch our clients overcome their physical and emotional hardships daily and would love to hear stories from aspiring students as they enter the next chapter of their lives. Share your journey of overcoming hardship following an injury or setback, whether physical or emotional. How did you navigate this difficult period, and how did this challenge shape who you are today?
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 31, 2024

Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp Bright Futures Scholarship

Since 1985, the lawyers affiliated with Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have dedicated their practice to helping people when they need it most and to fighting against injustice in the civil trial practice. Our personal injury attorneys have spent almost four decades fighting for clients who are unable to fight for themselves and seek to balance the scales of civil justice. Our law firm has successfully represented countless numbers of personal injury accident victims in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, Virginia, areas who suffered serious injuries due to the negligent and reckless acts of others. Our attorneys have obtained over $100 million in personal injury insurance settlements and jury awards for victims of vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and railroad/FELA injuries. We also fight for the families of victims who tragically do not survive their injuries, pursuing damages in wrongful death lawsuits. In keeping with our firm’s dedication to advocating for accident victims and our commitment to the civil justice systems in the local communities we serve, we are very proud to announce the Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp Bright Futures Scholarship.
Award Amount

Total: $3000

Awards: 3

Deadline

Deadline: April 01, 2024

The Hatton Law Firm Aspire Higher Scholarship

At The Hatton Law Firm PLLC, our team understands the difficulties that many families face and the issues that affect parents as they work to provide for their children’s needs. Our experience representing clients who have suffered serious injuries has given us an appreciation of the sacrifices that parents regularly make to better the lives of their children. We also know the importance of a college education, especially for those who come from low-income households and who are looking to pursue opportunities and improve the lives of themselves and their families. To help people in these situations, we have created The Hatton Law Firm Aspire Higher Scholarship, which provides $1,000 each semester to a college student from a low-income family. The deadline to apply for our Fall 2023 scholarship is October 17, 2023. Please review the eligibility requirements for our scholarship below. If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact us at [email protected].
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 08, 2024

Fight Against Domestic Violence Scholarship

At John T. Fields & Associates, LLC, we have provided legal help to families in many different situations, including those involving domestic abuse or other forms of violence that affect spouses, children, and other family members. We understand the ways that domestic violence can impact victims, and we know how difficult it can be for a person to leave an abusive situation, seek help, and meet the ongoing needs of themselves and their children while maintaining protection against further abuse or harassment. Because of this, we work to provide opportunities for people who have been affected by domestic violence or who are looking to limit the impact of domestic violence on families in the United States. With the John T. Fields & Associates, LLC Fight Against Domestic Violence Scholarship, we provide financial assistance to college students, helping them achieve their goals and take steps to better our society. Each semester, we offer a $2,000 scholarship to a college student who has been impacted by domestic violence in their life or who has a substantial interest in implementing solutions to these issues and protecting others against domestic abuse, harassment, and other forms of family violence. To apply for our scholarship, please fill out the application form below and submit all required information by October 19, 2023. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 10, 2024

The Lacek Group BIPOC Scholarship

The Lacek Group LLC, a globally recognized leader in loyalty, customer engagement and data-driven communications in Minneapolis, is thrilled to offer two $5,000 scholarships to two BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, one each for a high school senior and a college student. The area of study needs to be in or related to marketing, communications, business, finance, creative arts, analytics, or computer science. Applicants must be residents of Minnesota but may attend college in Minnesota or Wisconsin. “We believe diversity drives smarter work for our clients — and better business for us,” says Bill Baker, CEO. “As noted on our website, ‘unique perspectives don’t just make life more interesting; they drive innovation, fuel creativity, and make our business and communities better.’” This scholarship program grew out of our agency’s commitment to change regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. In particular, the program reflects our focus on community involvement, financial support and hiring practices. “We hope that some of the scholarship recipients will eventually be hired by The Lacek Group,” says Baker.
Award Amount

Total: $10000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Scholarship Contest from Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega

At Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, we understand that experiencing a personal injury can be a challenging and life-altering event. Our dedicated team of experienced personal injury attorneys in South Carolina, is here to support and guide you through the complex legal process while tirelessly fighting for the compensation you deserve. With our compassionate approach and proven track record, you can trust us to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and care.
Award Amount

Total: $1500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 29, 2024

Environmental Heroes Scholarship

More than ever before, humans are turning their attention to the environment and the importance of its preservation. A light has been shed on some of the irreparable damage that has already been done and alarms are being sounded to not only cease further harm, but also heal ongoing problems. As the perpetual build-up of waste and pollutants fill our modern world, there are several organizations and individuals across our beautiful nation that are committed to making a difference. These contributors work and innovate to create solutions that may sustain the comforts we have grown used to, while also caring for the earth around us. One example of a company that has worked to make a difference is Ale-8-One, a popular regional soft drink manufacturer. For 100 years, this Kentucky-based company participated in a program that allowed for the reuse of its 100% recyclable glass beverage bottles. These traditional longneck bottles were purchased and then brought back to participating locations and thereafter returned to the manufacturer to be sanitized and reused. This recycling program eliminated monumental amounts of glass from landfills while also conserving resources. Although this program is coming to a close in 2023, Ale-8-One continues to find ways to help maintain our country’s natural beauty through its participation in the “Commonwealth Collective” recycling program, further proving their commitment to preservation efforts. Like Ale-8-One, there are a growing number of individuals and organizations making valuable efforts to be environmentally friendly. Now, our team at Maze Law Offices wants to highlight these individuals and organizations through our Environmental Heroes Scholarship!
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 10, 2024

Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys Students in Need Scholarship

At Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys, we fiercely advocate for victims of personal injuries across the state of Texas from our headquarters in San Antonio. While contending with giant insurance companies and corporations, we strive to provide compassionate and intelligent service to each of our clients. In short, we treat each case like it is our only case. Our team spends nights and weekends working to obtain just outcomes for our clients, and we have a deep appreciation for dedication, determination, and hard work. Through our Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys Students in Need Scholarship, we aim to promote those ideals by supporting students who have overcome obstacles and demonstrated a need for financial assistance. Therefore, we award scholarships of $2,000 in the Fall and Spring semesters to qualified students interested in a career in law who can demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 20, 2024

Making Waves Scholarship

At Mattis Law, we’ve dedicated our practice to Family Law, and we do everything we can to ensure that children and their families will have a safe and happy future. In this spirit, we’re offering a $500 scholarship to benefit a San Diego County high school senior or graduate who wishes to improve their future by pursuing higher education. This scholarship is open to 2024 California high school graduates pursuing a four-year college degree and current college students who graduated from a California high school and are pursuing a four-year degree or are currently enrolled in a two-year college and planning to transfer to a four-year college degree program upon completion.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 22, 2024