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 .
In today’s world, college students do not have it easy. In addition to the skyrocketing costs of college tuition, the amounts students will need to pay for expenses such as housing and transportation have also increased significantly. Many students struggle to cover these costs and ensure that they can receive the proper education and pursue their career goals. Students who attend college in states or regions of the country that are far away from their families will often face additional challenges and increased expenses, and they may be concerned that they will be unprepared to address these concerns.
At Fawell & Fawell, we understand the issues that affect students who travel to other states to attend college, and we have created a scholarship program to provide assistance for these students. Through the Fawell & Fawell Out-of-State Student Scholarship, we award $1,000 each semester to a qualified student who will be pursuing educational opportunities in a location outside of the state where they attended high school or where their parents currently live. Scholarship winners can use this money to pay for tuition, housing, other educational costs, or transportation-related expenses.
Michael McCready is a family man by default. He and his wife reside in Chicago along with their six children. Being a family man, Michael stays very involved in his children’s lives and as they have grown he has seen the massive impact cyberbullying can have on individuals, their friends, and especially amongst their peers.
Cyberbullying is much more comprehensive than what we consider “traditional” bullying. With the copious amount of technology at our fingertips, children are gaining access to devices and social forums at a much younger age. This enables cyberbullying to affect children and teenagers 24/7 on a variety of media platforms, not just in your immediate community but in online communities where participants are from all over the world.
Everyone can help prevent cyberbullying by raising awareness about how to prevent it. The personal injury attorneys at McCready Law have established a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for a student who is passionate about this issue. Cyberbullying is prevalent and at times can seem unstoppable, so how can we effectively raise awareness to promote prevention?
The Richmond Defense Firm strives to serve and defend the citizens of the Richmond area and has developed a strong connection with the people and places of eastern Virginia.
It takes time, effort, and patience to build a nurturing relationship with one’s community. In today’s world, there are so many opportunities to live a transient life, to move from place to place and never settle down. Many of us seek a sense of community, but there’s usually a small group of people really working to build that sense of unity in the place that we call “home.”
As day-to-day life becomes increasingly digital and experiences become increasingly “remote,” discussion about what it takes to build healthy communities becomes more and more important. We are proud to sponsor the Strong Roots Scholarship and Essay Contest as a way to promote discussion about the meaning of community in the digital age and as a way to sponsor educational opportunities for individuals who are dedicated to building strong communities where passions and careers can take root.
This essay contest and the associated $500 scholarship is open to individuals throughout the country who are enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution during the school year.*
Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP Accident and Injury Attorneys are excited to announce the Who Inspires You Scholarship, awarding $1,000 to a student with a passionate story about who has inspired them most.
Throughout life, we are often blessed with someone who inspires us through their words or actions, directly or indirectly. Having someone who inspires you helps you continue striving and improving, whether in academics, hobbies, or any aspect of life. Whoever it is, a parent, grandparent, older sibling, celebrity, or sports star. There is value in reflecting on the people and relationships that inspired you to be who you are now.
Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP is excited to hear about the inspirational people in your life and looks forward to congratulating a special winner for their reflection on that person and their impact on their life.
Learning that a parent or guardian has a serious illness is life-shattering. For students, coping with the physical and emotional aspects of a parent’s illness while handling the responsibilities and pressures of school, activities, and social lives can be particularly overwhelming. Our team at OnderLaw knows all too well the devastation families go through when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. The experiences someone goes through are painful, but sharing them can be a catalyst for moving forward.
To help honor those who are fighting cancer or who have lost their battle, we are asking students to write an essay answering the question: What would you tell someone about what is important in life, knowing what cancer has taught you?
We want this to be an opportunity to open a dialogue about cancer and how it affects real people. Ultimately, we hope this scholarship provides an outlet for children of parents with cancer to process their grief, recognize their personal strengths, and start a dialogue about serious illness, mental health, and the value of living life to its fullest.
Our team at Romano & Sumner, PLLC represents individuals on guardianship consulting or general trust and estate work, and we see many examples of caregivers assisting with the problems brought on by age, Alzheimer’s, or dementia. In these situations, caregivers make sacrifices for loved ones who need extra help and support. We wanted to recognize the value of this critical support.
We are offering a $1,000 scholarship to further the education of someone who has made sacrifices for a loved one during a time in their life when they needed extra care. We will be accepting applications for this scholarship from now until August 31, 2024. We are asking that applications write a 750-1,000 word essay discussing a time when you had to put the health of a loved one first or provided support through a career or volunteer service. Whether they were suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or were at a time in their life where they just needed more help and support, discuss your experience with helping someone else, what life lessons were gained, and how has it changed your outlook on life?
Once all submissions have been received, the entries will be reviewed, and one student will be selected to receive a $1,000 award. The award will be given to the person who best responds to the prompt.
The Sharp Law Short Essay Scholarship Contest is available for students who are currently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program in the United States.
Our team has worked tirelessly to provide service to those in our community since the start of our firm. We work together with individuals from all walks of life, each of whom possesses a unique and palpable story to tell.
The Outstanding Citizen Scholarship and Essay Contest aim to allow demonstrated community leaders and dedicated citizens to pursue education to inform and better their causes. We are proud to sponsor the discussion on good citizenship for the 7th year in a row. It truly means a lot to us to offer educational benefits to individuals who demonstrate outstanding citizenship.
This essay contest and the $1,000 scholarship associated with it are open to individuals throughout the U.S. who are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution during the 2024-2025 school year.
Our team at Sussman Law Firm believes in empowering immigrants and first-generation individuals across the United States. Immigration is an essential and vital aspect of the US, and we want to help first-generation students work toward their educational and professional dreams.We are excited to bring back the Empowering Immigrants Scholarship for another year! We aim to do just that by giving back to a student who immigrated to the US or is a first-generation college student.
In 750-1000 words, please share your or your family’s immigration story, what struggles you overcame, and what educational goals you hope to accomplish.
Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. are committed to helping aspiring paralegals fund their educational goals. Applicants must meet the following criteria: Recipient is a U.S. citizen currently attending a paralegal education program within the United States. Student must have completed at least one semester of classes at a paralegal education program.
