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 10,187 scholarships for law school worth $31M.
This scholarship is available for current law school students as well as college seniors who have been accepted to and plan to attend a law school in the following academic year. Applicants must submit a short essay or presentation describing his/her motivations and goals in the field of law.
OFAC Law Group focuses its practice on representing individuals who need assistance with sanctions compliance, export controls, OFAC licensing, and anti-money laundering regulations. The role of an OFAC sanctions attorney is as complex as it is necessary. This is due to a constantly-changing list of rules and regulations as foreign policies are created or revised.
OFAC Law Group understands the importance of complying with the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the effectiveness of cooperation. We also recognize the value of students improving their environment through collaboration. Dedicating personal time to the betterment of others and improving the environment is a quality OFAC Law Group would like to reward by providing financial support and academic recognition.
Whether those good deeds are performed with an organization, local community club, or even just among friends, OFAC Law Group appreciates citizens’ hard work towards the environment. To assist these high-achieving students, OFAC Law Group is proud to announce the OFAC Law Group Eco-Friendly Scholarship. This scholarship will award $500 to a deserving student who has coherently shared ideas for how to best volunteer time to improve the environment or has already completed effective examples for others to follow.
The attorneys at the Godoy Law Office Immigration Lawyers are passionate about assisting immigrant and refugee families to achieve the American Dream. We understand immigration policies and procedures are complex, and the process can be discouraging to those who are unfamiliar with the United States laws.
First-generation immigrants and their children face some of the toughest immigration standards in recent history. Immigrants struggle to get on their feet and provide for their families, which is why we want to give back to first-generation immigrants or the child of a first-generation immigrant through The 2024 First Generation Scholarship. We hope to empower first-generation U.S. college students and celebrate their individuality by awarding them $1,000 to continue their education.
In a 700-1000 word essay, describe your experience as a first-generation citizen. Describe your own personal immigration success story as a first-generation immigrant or the child of a first-generation immigrant. Explain the struggles involved and what lessons the experience of being a first-generation immigrant has taught you.
We believe everyone deserves a second chance! You are not defined by your mistakes but by the lessons you learn from them. At The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys, we are committed to giving others a second chance by helping our clients overcome their legal troubles and move forward in their lives in a positive direction.
We want to highlight and award students who overcame hardship and received a second chance with a Second Chance Foundation Scholarship because many people go through life without being recognized for the obstacles they conquered with resiliency and gratitude. Since 2011, we have been giving out multiple $1000 dollars Scholarships to many resilient students who have overcome adversity and grown from that experience. If you are interested in getting an education scholarship, we will ask you to write an essay about the hardships you encountered and what that second chance meant to you. This is a $1,000 scholarship award given directly to the student.
This award is offered to full-time students planning to major in law enforcement or a related field. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to apply, and do not have to be of Asian descent.
This fellowship is provided annually to fund a new lawyer to work in the United States on an innovative, public interest law project that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.
As personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of David W. Holub, we have seen first-hand the dangers posed by motor vehicle accidents. Whether a car, truck, motorcycle, or other accident, the repercussions felt from incidents on the road can linger for years or even life.
Acknowledging the pressing need for greater vehicle safety measures, we challenge you to contribute to the conversation. How can society improve on vehicle safety, preventing injuries and deaths from roadway accidents? The Innovation in Vehicle Safety Scholarship will award a $1,000 scholarship to a selected student with the strongest essay plan.
We invite you to join us in envisioning a safer future for our roadways. Share your innovative ideas on revolutionizing vehicle safety, be it through developing new technology, mitigating risk in existing vehicles, or other transformative ideas.
This award is available for Vermont undergraduate students who are seeking education or training in a field related to public safety, including, but not limited to, emergency services, law enforcement, and criminal justice. Students must demonstrate financial need.
Criminal defense lawyer, Dayne Phillips genuinely cares about the mental state of his clients and of those in our community. The mental health crisis in the United States has been referred to as “the elephant in the room” because of the significant impact it has on our society and the reluctance of our lawmakers to adequately address these serious issues.
If this prevalent issue has not affected you personally, chances are you know someone who has been affected by the mental health system. To further the conversation on mental health reform, Dayne Phillips is proud to introduce the Mental Health System Reform Scholarship to bring awareness to this topic and give students an opportunity to voice their opinion on how to improve the mental health system within the United States.
