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!
Anhelo Dream Project Scholarship
Legal Opportunity Scholarship
Earl Warren Scholarship
Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
MALDEF Law School Scholarship
Attorney Ken Nugent Legal Scholarship
ABA Academic Merit Scholarship
LimNexus Scholarship
La Raza Foundation Scholarship
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 scholarships for law school worth .
Our team at Burress Injury Law is passionate about helping the “underdogs.” We represent victims who have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. Specifically, we help our clients persevere in the face of adversity to receive the medical treatment they need and recover all of the compensation they are owed under the law for their losses and damages. With our Underdog Scholarships, we aim to support prospective applicants who have persevered in the face of adversity and who want to use their life experiences to help others.
The Burress Injury Law Underdog Scholarship fund provides $20,000 annually, with one $5,000 award and two $2,500 awards offered for each of the Spring and Fall semesters. Our scholarships are open to applications from undergraduate students throughout the United States, and the awards can be applied to tuition and other educational expenses at each recipient’s school. We are currently accepting applications for our 3 scholarships for the fall semester.
At Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro, we know the importance of skilled representation for those facing legal issues. Qualified and knowledgeable lawyers help people every day to protect their rights and fight for justice. Whether someone is facing criminal charges, or dealing with other legal matters, having a fierce advocate on their side can make all of the difference. With this in mind, we have made an effort to support those who plan to work in the legal field through our scholarship program.
With the Lawyers of Tomorrow Scholarship, we provide financial assistance to students who are planning to pursue careers as lawyers. Each semester, we award a scholarship of $1,000 to a deserving law student. By helping students pursue their goals, we hope to positively influence the legal profession and ensure that people who need legal help will be able to find attorneys to represent them.
Please review the information below to learn about the eligibility requirements for the Lawyers of Tomorrow Scholarship. Eligible applicants can fill out the form on this page to apply for the scholarship.
Life is a journey filled with unexpected challenges, and sometimes, the unexpected can change the course of our lives in an instant. During these critical moments, a helping hand can make all the difference. We at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys are proud to announce the A Friend In Need Scholarship to honor and celebrate the power of human compassion and resilience. This scholarship opportunity is a testament to the belief that adversity can be a transformative experience, leading individuals to lend a helping hand to those in need or receiving one themselves. Through this scholarship, we hope to inspire kindness throughout our communities.
We invite students to share a personal story of empathy, selflessness, and resilience. Have you ever been in a situation where you rushed to help someone who faced a traumatic accident? Your story could inspire others to be compassionate and proactive in helping those in need.
Conversely, was there a time when someone’s kindness and support changed the trajectory of your life following a traumatic event? Perhaps a friend, family member, or even a stranger stepped in when you needed it most. How did their actions shape your perspective on life?
Share your experiences of providing or receiving comfort, support, and assistance during a time of crisis. Through this scholarship, we will award one student with $1,000 to be used towards reaching their academic goals.
For law students and prospective law students, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. is excited to offer our annual Excellence in Ethics Scholarship. The first-place scholarship will be awarded to one recipient in the amount of $1,000.00. The second-place winner will be awarded a $500.00 scholarship as well.
Shook & Stone is a full-service law firm comprised of skilled lawyers who are prepared to fight for your right to fair compensation.
No matter your legal needs, you can benefit from the unrivaled personal attention, dedication, and commitment of our passionate attorneys.
Shook & Stone is one Nevada’s premier personal injury lawyers specializing in auto accident, workers compensation, and social security disability claims. People continually choose our firm for the following reasons:
-Over 750 Million dollars recovered
-Thousands of clients helped
-No fee unless we win
-Award-winning attorneys
-Over 100 years of combined experience
About the Shook & Stone Scholarship
The lawyers at Shook & Stone understand that education is incredibly important for all generations. The experiences and lessons you learn are unrivaled. We want to help students in their paths to higher education, which is why we have created the Shook & Stone scholarship.
If you share our goal of helping individuals fully understand their rights and the benefits of hiring a skilled personal injury attorney, we want you to submit an essay for the chance to win $2,500.
The law office of Newland & Newland, LLP provides exceptional representation and trusted legal guidance to injury victims and their families throughout Cook County and the surrounding areas. Our Arlington Heights personal injury law firm is passionate about supporting the local community and our fellow legal professionals.
We aspire to help single parents and their children overcome the challenges preventing them from pursuing higher education by providing the Newland & Newland Single Parent Scholarship. Our team is offering an award worth $1,000 to single parents and children of single parents who are pursuing a career in law.
Our Plano criminal defense practice, The Crowder Law Firm, protects the rights of individuals throughout North Texas who are facing very serious criminal charges. This takes incredibly hard work, skill, and knowledge. We appreciate the time, effort, and resources it takes to get results, and we hope to share that appreciation with students across the United States through our Crowder Law Firm Scholarship.
The Crowder Law Firm offers two $1000 scholarships twice a year to students pursuing higher education who strive to achieve excellent academic performance.
All questions can be answered by our scholarship team at [email protected]. Please note that no questions will be answered via our client contact form, chat box, or by phone.
At our Dallas law firm, we understand that suffering a serious injury can happen at any time to any one. By providing financial support to one deserving student through a scholarship program, we believe we will positively affect the life of someone who has endured a personal injury in a motor vehicle accident.
Our Road to Recovery Scholarship provides a $2000 award each semester to a college student who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident at some point in their life and is now pursuing a college degree. The Road to Recovery from any injury is not an easy one, which is why we are delighted to assist a hardworking student who understands what it is like to fight back after suffering an injury.
All applications for this scholarship must be submitted prior to 11:59 PM on 07/15/2024. For any questions or concerns, students should contact [email protected]
At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, we are committed to promoting road safety and encouraging good driving behaviors to protect all road users. We are pleased to announce the Share the Road Scholarship. This scholarship aims to recognize and support students who demonstrate a strong commitment to keeping our roads safe and fostering a culture of responsible driving. By sharing the road responsibly, we can ensure the well-being of pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and all others who use our roadways.
This topic goes beyond statistics and regulations—it is about preserving lives and protecting our loved ones. We are asking students to reflect on the importance of road safety and the collective responsibility we hold. We believe that education and awareness campaigns are powerful in transforming behaviors and fostering a safe driving culture. However, we want to hear from students on what else could be done to make our roads safer. We ask students to explore the potential of technological advancements to revolutionize road safety, paving the way for a future where every journey is marked by security and well-being.
We are thrilled to announce this special scholarship opportunity that awards a one-time $1,000 grant to a deserving student. This scholarship aims to support and recognize outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional potential and dedication. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is July 31, 2024. Don’t miss out on this chance to secure financial assistance for your educational pursuits.
The team at Solano Law Firm, LLC is committed to supporting the immigrant community by providing them with legal services, support, and compassionate guidance. As an extension of our commitment to bettering the lives of our immigrant community, our firm grants a $1,000 scholarship to the U.S. high school senior who shows commitment and dedication to building a better future for themselves and for the Latino community as a whole.
We understand the importance of pursuing a degree for students, in their effort to open as many doors as possible. That is why we are excited to offer the 2024 Build a Better Future scholarship to help bear some of the financial burdens which often accompany this goal. The application deadline for this scholarship is July 31st, 2024.
