Law Scholarships

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

 and get matched to scholarships that are personalized for you.

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 scholarships for law school worth .

FCBA Judicial Scholarships

This award is available for currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in law or pre-law. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, interest in specific aspects of the legal profession, and academic promise.
Award Amount

Total: $10000

Awards: 3

Deadline

Deadline: April 19

HCBF Scholarship Program

These scholarships are available for Hudson County (NJ) residents who are attending or have been accepted to law school. Students must demonstrate financial need and account for appropriate academic standards.
Award Amount

Total: $2250

Awards: 44

Deadline

Deadline: April 26

Hamilton Grant Giving Back Scholarship

The Hamilton Grant Giving Back Scholarship is available to any student who are high school graduates or possess a GED, students currently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program, incoming first-year in the United States.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 30

Byron Hanke Fellowship

This fellowship is available for graduate students who are willing to participate in a fellowship project addressing management, institutions, organization and administration, public policy, or architecture, as well as political, economic, social, and intellectual trends in community association housing.
Award Amount

Total: $3000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

Joseph H. Gellert /Dutchess County Bar Association Scholarship

This award is available for residents of Dutchess County New York who have completed at least one year of law school at the time of application. Academic merit and financial need will be considered during the selection process.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1000

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

Durrell Public Law Research Award

The Durrell Public Law Research Award is available for law students in Oklahoma who submit a research paper or research proposal on the topic of public and constitutional law.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

The Associates Home Loan Scholarship

The Associates Home Loan Scholarship is available for High school seniors who have been accepted into a college or university.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

The Artemis Andriotis Kotis Scholarship

The Artemis Andriotis Kotis Scholarship is available for students currently attending or planning to attend a college or university during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

Rizio Lipinsky $10,000 Law School Scholarship

Applicants should be prepared to explain why they are pursuing a career in law. Must be planning to attend law school or already be enrolled in law school for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Award Amount

Total: $10000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship Program

Graduate students who show an interest in pursuing a career in advocacy through public affairs, lobbying or government relations and are attending or planning to attend one of the foundation’s participating universities (or attend a non-participating university and receive special permission from the foundation) are eligible to apply for this award. Students must work on a full-time (40 hours per week) basis. The average recipient of this award has a 3.67 grade point average.
Award Amount

Total: $8000

Awards: 15

Deadline

Deadline: May 03