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 $122,960 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 2021

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 9,943 scholarships for law school worth $31M.

Hoffer & Sheremet Legal Studies Scholarship

Hoffer & Sheremet, PLC, is a law firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. We focus on medical and legal malpractice cases and other litigation. Three (3) students will be chosen to win $500 each (one student per essay topic). Deadline is April 15th. Must be undergraduate/planning to attend college. Please choose ONE of the three listed topics to write about in an essay: – What are the pros and cons of our civil justice system, and what is one thing that could be improved within that system? – Why is it important to have great writing skills? – What is the strongest thing you have ever had to do / what is an adversity you have had to overcome? Guidelines: – Please only submit ONE essay in your application. – There is no word limit/minimum, but ensure you have thoroughly yet succinctly expressed your point. – By submitting your application, you are allowing Hoffer & Sheremet permission to publicly share your work (with credit given) upon acceptance of the scholarship award.

Total: $1500

Awards: 3

Deadline: April 15, 2023

Key to a bright future scholarship

Sheryl R. Rentz and her legal team operate out of our office in Montgomery County, PA to help clients resolve their legal family matters. For many years, we have handled cases involving all types of domestic relations issues, including alimony, annulment, bankruptcy, child custody and support, divorce, mediation, property division, and more. We also have the extensive knowledge and resources needed to take on high profile divorce cases, which generally involve a large amount of assets and sophisticated financial considerations.

Total: $1000

Awards: 2

Deadline: May 10, 2023

Texts=Wrecks Scholarship

Prevention is the best cure, no matter what you’re talking about. Not drinking will decrease your chance of causing a drunk-driving accident by a perfect 100 percent! Putting your phone away and paying attention to the road will save lives and prevent serious injuries…the kind we have to go to court for nearly every week. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we try to stop accidents before they happen. That’s why we launched our “”Texts=Wrecks”” campaign in 2018 – to save lives. But we need your help!We strongly believe that the next generation is a great one, and that you will be leaders in changing the way America drives. So we want to hear your best ideas – including things you’ve already tried that have worked – to help yourself, your family members, and your friends drive more safely. For inspiration, check out our previous winners. We are offering a $1,000 scholarship for one deserving Virginia high school student who will graduate by June 2023, or a college student anywhere in the United States who graduated from a Virginia high school. We strongly believe the next generation is a great one, and we can’t wait to see what they plan to do with their lives.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: May 16, 2023

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.

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline: May 18, 2023

OVC, INC. “Market Yourself” Scholarship

At OVC, INC., we provide online marketing services for attorneys and law firms, helping them connect with the people who need their assistance. We value our relationships with the lawyers we serve, and we appreciate the dedication that goes into earning a law degree, establishing and growing a legal practice, and providing quality legal representation to people in need. With our “Market Yourself” Scholarship, we aim to support future lawyers in their pursuit of higher education. The OVC, INC. “Market Yourself” Scholarship offers $1,000 to current or aspiring law students who can demonstrate a clear vision as to how they would position themselves to most effectively connect with the clients they want to serve. The award can be used for tuition and other educational expenses at the school they attend.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: May 30, 2023

Franchise.Law Entrepreneur Scholarship

Franchise.Law is a franchise law practice that works with franchisors and entrepreneurs. The firm is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, but serves clients all over the world. The attorneys at Franchise.Law are excited to announce their 2023 Franchise.Law Entrepreneur Scholarship! This scholarship will give the opportunity for students who are aspiring entrepreneurs to dive more into their business idea. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS To apply, please provide the following: A resume that includes up-to-date contact information, relevant education, professional and volunteer experience. A 750-1000 word essay on why you are passionate about becoming an entrepreneur. Share details of what business you would create, how you would run it, and how you would stay on top of trends in the industry. A current unofficial transcript from the applicant’s school. First-year college students may submit an unofficial transcript from their most recent school, as well as an unofficial transcript from their current post-secondary institution.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Al Ponte Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. graduate students who have a career focus in international relations or intelligence. The applicant must be a member of the Associaton of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), OR the child or grandchild of a member of the AFIO, OR the child or grandchild of a serving intelligence professional.

Total: $15000

Awards: 3

Deadline: June 01, 2023

2023 The Law Offices of Scott Henry Scholarship

Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or law program within the United States. High school seniors who will be enrolled in college before the application deadline of June 1, 2023 are encouraged to apply. Candidates must also have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: June 01, 2023

Terry Bryant Law School Scholarship

The accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant is proud to announce the availability of a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a student who has been accepted to or is currently enrolled in an ABA- or AALS-accredited law school. We believe that attorneys can be agents of change and advocates for those who deserve a voice. We’ve centered our practice around this philosophy, and we’re hopeful that tomorrow’s lawyers will continue this mission.

Total: $2500

Awards: 1

Deadline: June 01, 2023

One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship

BARBRI Inc. offers law exam prep courses. This scholarship honors leaders who’ve made it their goal to embody the law and serve as agents of change. Each year they offer 10 scholarships to students heading to law school. The committee scores the application essay using metrics for creativity, passion, production quality and message.

Total: $23000

Awards: 10

Deadline: June 01, 2023

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