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.
Kevin Maez was a man whose life was a testament to dedication, care, and an unyielding drive. Despite facing early setbacks, including dropping out of high school, Kevin was unwavering in his determination to create a meaningful life for himself. He defied the odds by obtaining his GED and swiftly pursuing an associate’s degree in computer science. His commitment didn’t stop there; Kevin poured his energy into his work for the State of Colorado and RTD, excelling in computer services. Tragically, Kevin’s promising journey was cut short when he fell victim to a careless driver on his way to work, passing away on May 13, 2022. To honor his memory and the indomitable spirit he embodied, The Gold Law Firm has established a scholarship aimed at empowering ambitious students who, like Kevin, possess the drive to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.
The Gold Law Firm is honored to offer scholarship awards to freshmen who have spent their early education taking part in challenging skill-building activities such as Scouts, acting or theater, debate club, and speech. We believe that participation in and dedication to such activities greatly aid in a student’s development of integral leadership skills, confidence, and responsibility. Through The Gold Law Firm Challenge Yourself Scholarship, our team hopes to make educational opportunities more attainable for students who make an effort to improve as individuals both inside and outside the classroom.
Over the past few years, books once praised for their progressive nature are now facing scrutiny and even censorship due to their subject matter. This is particularly true for books that tackle themes related to sexual identity, race, and other injustices in America. Works authored by Black or LGBTQ+ writers have become especially challenged by local authorities.
Federal Attorney Rammy Barbari believes that access to diverse literature is crucial for both children and adults across the nation to expand their knowledge and gain new perspectives. That is why we established the Right to Read Scholarship, as we are passionate about everyone’s right to an education. When books are challenged and banned, it silences the voices of minorities and those of all sexual orientations to speak about injustices they have endured. This impedes our nation’s progress and hinders our ability to address important issues and learn from them. What do you think?
In a 750-1,000 word essay, explain: Is it ever justifiable to ban literature? The prohibition of books goes against our freedom of expression and limits our ability to make judgments and beliefs of our own. Do you think it’s okay to censor publications? Why or Why Not?
At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we understand the di?culties that many students face as they pursue a college education. As young people leave their parents’ homes, adjust to new situations, become involved in activities on college campuses, earn income through part-time employment, and attend classes, they may struggle to keep their grades up.
The e?orts of those who have encountered and overcome these types of challenges should be recognized. Through our Rising Stars Scholarship, we seek to do just that.
Our scholarship program provides ?nancial assistance to students who have been able to signi?cantly improve their grade point averages since beginning their college education. Each semester, we award a $1,000 scholarship to a student who can demonstrate that their GPA has increased by at least one point from semester to semester or year to year. By supporting students who have overcome academic and personal struggles, we aim to help them ensure that they can achieve their educational goals.
Winners of the Rising Stars Scholarship can use the award to pay tuition or address other costs related to their college education, including housing, books, or supplies. The deadline to apply for the spring 2024 scholarship is March 11, 2024. To apply for the scholarship, please see the instructions below and ?ll out the application form on this page. If you have any questions, please contact us
As Booker T. Washington said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.“ Adversity often strikes unexpectedly throughout our lives, leaving us with physical or emotional setbacks. These hardships can become hard to surmount obstacles but can also be opportunities for growth and change. Sometimes, we must tap into our inner determination to forage ahead despite setbacks.
At Tomeny Best, we understand the immense power that emerges from these moments of struggle as they pave the way for stories of triumph and perseverance. We watch our clients overcome their physical and emotional hardships daily and would love to hear stories from aspiring students as they enter the next chapter of their lives.
Share your journey of overcoming hardship following an injury or setback, whether physical or emotional. How did you navigate this difficult period, and how did this challenge shape who you are today?
Murray Rossen always had a great passion for law. He was accepted to Yale Law School but attended St. John’s University since he could not afford Yale’s tuition. When it came time for Adam Rossen to attend law school, he needed a co-signer for his loans. Murray knew the opportunities a great education would have and co-signed. Without Murray Rossen, the Rossen Law Firm would not exist, nor would the years of dedicated legal service that Adam Rossen has put in to help the people of Florida.
The scholarship’s deadline is February 29, 2024, and offers an award of $1,000. We have designed a unique scholarship prompt to encourage creativity and innovation among applicants. We ask you to create a video about how you plan to use your education and skills to rock the criminal justice world. While the video must be at least two minutes long, we want to emphasize that there is no maximum length. We believe in allowing you to fully express your ideas and showcase your passion without any constraints.
By offering a video application format, we aim to provide a platform for applicants to showcase their passion and commitment to making a difference in the criminal justice system. We are excited to witness the diverse perspectives and innovative ideas that will shape the future of this field. Show us how you plan to rock the criminal justice world and seize this opportunity to be part of the change.
The Law Firm of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., a Dallas legal practice, has been providing knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation to victims of personal injury and wrongful death for 30 years.
Attorney Andrews’ experience as a personal injury lawyer has granted him a unique perspective on the importance of community. We need our communities today more than ever, and Attorney Andrews is taking this opportunity to recognize students who have sacrificed their time and energy to give back to their communities through acts of service.
The Law Office of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. now offers one scholarship worth $2,500 to undergraduate students who have made a substantial impact in their community through volunteer work.
You can reach our team by email at [email protected]
The experience of individuals who have served time in jail for a crime extends beyond their time behind bars, as they encounter unique challenges upon their release. In addition to the practical obstacles faced by individuals after serving time, they often encounter harsh judgment and societal stigma, making it even more challenging to start over. This judgment can lead to limited employment prospects, social exclusion, and difficulties securing housing.
In our society, fostering understanding, compassion, and second chances is crucial for successfully reintegrating individuals who have served time in jail. By promoting awareness and education, challenging preconceived notions, and advocating for policies that facilitate reintegration, we can create an environment where these individuals are given a fair chance to rebuild their lives and make positive contributions to our community.
That said, we are proud to announce our new scholarship, the Parole Reform Scholarship. We want to hear how our community feels about our current justice/ intake system and ways it could be improved. For this scholarship, students are asked to reflect on the importance of understanding and compassion in supporting individuals who have been incarcerated. Discuss how promoting awareness and education about the challenges they face can break down societal barriers and stereotypes. Share your thoughts on how challenging preconceived notions can lead to a more inclusive and supportive society for those seeking to rebuild their lives after serving time.
This $1,000 scholarship award will be given to one eligible student. The deadline to apply is November 30, 2023. Continue reading below for details on the application process.
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.
Attorney Bobby Devadoss and the team at The Devadoss Law Firm, P.L.L.C. offer legal representation to clients facing complex and unique federal labor and employment law cases. The Devadoss Law Firm believes in standing up for what is right, and we will fight vigorously to defend our clients’ constitutional and civil rights.
This upcoming semester, the Dallas law firm is offering The Devadoss Law Firm Civil Rights Scholarship. Our award is worth $1000 and is available to current and aspiring law school students who appreciate the importance of civil rights in the workforce.
We are proud to provide future lawyers the opportunity to make their education more affordable and to inspire them to explore civil rights issues within the millennial workforce.
Contact our scholarship team at [email protected]
