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 .
The Child of an American Veteran Scholarship is available for high school senior currently attending or enrolled in an accredited community college or undergraduate degree program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
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.
The Atlanta Divorce Law Group has worked with countless families through the most challenging times of their lives. Our attorneys have experience working through all aspects of divorce proceedings and see the strain it places on families. Despite the fact that many people view divorce as a negative situation, we believe in life Happily Ever After Divorce™. It is our mission to get rid of the stigma of divorce so people can make a real decision for their family’s future that does not come from a place of guilt and shame. We believe that when guilt and shame run the show, families stay stuck in dysfunctional relationships rather than make a movement towards becoming a healthier and happier family that may be under a different framework than marriage but nonetheless still a family.
Through our experience, our attorneys see first hand how divorce can actually leave families happier and lead to positive lives post-divorce. The Atlanta Divorce Law Group is proud to hold The Divorce Stigma Scholarship, for another year, to hear students share their experience with divorce and how it differed from the negative stigma that surrounds divorce today. Share your story with us and explain how a divorce experience of a close friend or family member had positive effects on those involved.
The winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on the criteria outlined below and will be awarded this $1,000 award to pursue their education.
The scholarship is open to any current high school senior, college student or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States and who is enrolled in a two to five year post-secondary institution for the 2021 fall semester. Employees of Yates and Wheland, their immediate families, and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to apply for the scholarship. Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be in good academic standing at their current school.
The attorneys at Marcus & Mack have always valued giving back to the community. Marcus & Mack is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County, Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, The Learning Lamp, and the Children’s Aid Society, just to name a few. These organizations give the firm opportunities to help local children in need. The firm also donates over $10,000 annually to local schools scholarship programs. Now, Marcus & Mack wants to hear how you help your community!
The 2023 Caring Community Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship award available to one student who has worked to make their community a better place. Specifically, Marcus & Mack wants you to provide one example of a problem you saw in your community, what you did to combat it, and the positive impact your efforts had on your community, as well as on yourself. Our hope is that this scholarship will encourage students to get involved in their communities in whatever capacity they can. No effort is too small when it comes to helping others!
Avnet Law is a Noblesville, Indiana law firm focusing on Personal Injury Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, and Business Litigation. This $1,000 scholarship is offered to support a community-minded college or graduate student whose has demonstrated a history of community service and involvement. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Drummond Law Firm offers a $1,000 scholarship. Eligible applicants must be high-school students currently in a JROTC or Boy Scout Explorer program that has been accepted to and will be attending a post-high school institution in the United States. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Glotzer & Leib is a personal injury law firm serving accident victims in Southern California. The $1000 scholarship will be made payable directly to the awardee for use towards school related expenses / tuition. Their mission to empower Californians goes beyond helping after an accident. The scholarship is offered biannually.
Applicants should be currently enrolled (or enrolled prior to the scholarship deadline) at an accredited institution, including with the intent to complete either a two- or four-year program at any junior college, community college, paralegal programs, undergraduate program, or graduate program anywhere in the United States. Applicants must be the first in your family to attend a four-year college and have good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA or above.
The Khaki Law firm is dedicated to helping students overcome financial adversity while pursuing their education. One deserving student will receive a $1,000 towards their educational expenses.
