A law degree is a great way to ensure a secure financial future, and the best scholarships for law students make it easier to get there. After all, law school is expensive — with one or more awards, you can cut costs and reduce the amount of necessary loans. Scholarships are available for students from all backgrounds and future career plans; the more specialized the requirements, the higher the odds of approval.
Related resource: 27 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Legal Studies
1. Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
Eligibility
– Graduating from a U.S. college or university
– Have a proposal for a public service project
For law students who are planning to go into a career in public service, the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award is one way to get real-world experience. This award comes with $15,000 that recipients can use for one year after their undergraduate education to pursue a service opportunity. Use the funds anywhere in the world. During the application process, plan to provide a detailed project proposal, and keep in mind that the committee prioritizes applicants who will use most of the money for the project itself. Apply by January 17th.
2. Pacific Collection Group’s Annual Scholarship
Eligibility
– Minimum GPA of 2.50
– Studying MBA, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Law, or Management
– Enrolled at an accredited two-year or four-year institution in the U.S.
Get $1,000 toward a legal education with the Pacific Collection Group’s Annual Scholarship. This award is administered by the Pacific Collection Group, which is focused on successful personal finance management — as a result, applicants must write an essay about how they overcame financial hardship at any point in their lives. There’s no application; just provide contact information and an essay by December 31st.
3. Simplr Artificial Intelligence and Technology Scholarship
Eligibility
– Enrolled full-time at an accredited institution
– Not in DACA or on a full academic scholarship
For students with a particular interest in advanced tech, the Simplr Artificial Intelligence and Technology Scholarship is a great way to earn $7,500 for law school. This award goes to one student who can write a compelling essay about intellectual property law, blockchain technology, the Internet of Things, or artificial intelligence. The application deadline for this scholarship is December 31st.
4. Lemberg Law $1,250 Law School Scholarship
Eligibility
– U.S. citizen, DACA recipient, or legal permanent resident
– Expected or current graduate student enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a J.D., LL.M, or S.J.D. program in the U.S.
Planning to head to a graduate law program? The Lemberg Law $1,250 Law School Scholarship offers an easy way to cut costs. The application asks for basic information; in addition, plan to create a GIF, meme, or graphic about specific legal topics. To apply, simply upload the original graphic and a 15-word caption by December 10th.
5. Lemberg Law $1,250 Undergraduate Scholarship
Eligibility
– U.S. citizen, DACA recipient, or legal permanent resident
– High school senior planning to enroll at an accredited university full-time OR
– Undergraduate student enrolled full-time at an accredited university
For aspiring lawyers with a sense of humor, the Lemberg Law $1,250 Undergraduate Scholarship is a fun way to earn money for college. The application requires an original meme, GIF, or graphic that provides an engaging take on debt collection harassment, overtime pay, or lemon laws; applicants also need to submit a caption. The submission deadline is December 10th.
6. Honorable Len McGillivray Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility
– Graduate of a high school in Kern County
– Attending CSU Bakersfield
– First-time freshman
– Majoring in pre-law
Defray the cost of a pre-law education at California State University Bakersfield with the Honorable Len McGillivray Memorial Scholarship. It’s given each year in honor of Len McGillivray, who was a judge in the Kern County Superior Court in the 1980s and 1990s. The amount varies every year but is always given to a student graduating from high school in Kern County. Apply for this Scholarship by December 1st.
7. Future Attorneys of America Scholarship
Eligibility
– Current law student
– Enrolled at an accredited law school
– 3.5 GPA or higher
The Future Attorneys of America Scholarship was created by Answering Legal, a company that provides an answering service for law firms. The scholarship, which totals $5,000, is designed to help law students ease the burden of a legal education. The funds are earmarked specifically for students who have demonstrated academic excellence; to that end, applicants can expect to submit an unofficial transcript. In addition, the process requires a personal essay about their future in law. Apply by November 5th.
8. Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility
– Child of a law enforcement officer who was permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty
– Resident or live and go to school in New York State or the New York metro area
Each year, the Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship is given to a student who has lost a law-enforcement officer parent in the line of duty; students of parents who have been permanently disabled are also eligible. Each award is $2,000. As they review applications, the committee considers financial need, leadership, academic performance, volunteerism, and exceptional achievements in arts or athletics. Students in pre-law or criminology get preference. The application deadline is May 31st.
9. Hub Foundation Scholarships
Eligibility
– Studying or researching an area that includes Muslim perspectives
– Majoring in one of the foundation’s approved areas
– Enrolled at an accredited U.S. university
– Junior or senior undergraduate student or a graduate student
– 3.5 GPA or higher
For law students who are interested in research or work that’s inclusive of the Muslim perspective, the Hub Foundation Scholarships are one way to help pay for law school. Each of the 15 winners get $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 to use toward their education. The application includes a writing sample that’s 5-10 pages long, a description of studies, and two letters of recommendation. Applications are due by July 1st.
10. Mac Hyde Brownfield Scholarship Program
Eligibility
– Minnesota resident or a student at an accredited undergraduate or graduate university
– Studying law, government/public policy, engineering, earth/environmental sciences, business, real estate, public health, or economic development
– GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Mac Hyde Brownfield Scholarship Program is designed to support Minnesota students who are planning to pursue a career in environmental quality, remediation, or community revitalization. The award totals $2,000; winners are also celebrated at the ReScape Awards. All applications must be submitted by September 30th, and recipients are notified in October.
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11. Cameron Impact Scholarship
Eligibility
– 3.7 GPA or higher
– U.S. citizen
– Graduating high school senior
– Enrolling full-time at an accredited U.S. institution for the full year after graduation
The Cameron Impact Scholarship goes to students who are planning to use their education to make a positive social impact and improve the greater good. It includes full tuition and qualified educational expenses. Applicants are chosen based on their academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and community service record. Expect to submit a transcript and two letters of recommendation. The early application deadline is May 22nd; the final deadline is September 11th.
12. Han C. Choi Scholarship
Eligibility
– Enrolled full-time in a law school that’s accredited by the AALS
– First-year or second-year student
The Han C. Choi Scholarship awards $5,000 to a first-year or second-year law student with a record of courage and grit when faced with exceptional challenges. It’s administered by the NAPABA Law Foundation, which makes its decisions based on academic achievements, volunteerism, leadership, mentoring, and civic issues. If you have experienced adversity due to cancer, you may get preference. Apply by March 2nd.
13. The Sharon and Ivan Fong Scholarship
Eligibility
– Second-year law student
– Attending an accredited law school
Each Sharon and Ivan Fong Scholarship provides a law student with a minimum of $5,000; the funds are split over the second and third years of law school. The NAPABA Law Foundation evaluates applicants based on academic performance in higher education, leadership, service, and social and cultural awareness. Applications are due by June 30th.
14. UPS/NLF Gold Mountain Scholarships
Eligibility
– U.S. citizen or permanent resident
– Documented financial need
– First in the family to attend an ABA or AALS-accredited law school in the U.S.
The NAPABA Law Foundation awards the UPS/NLF Gold Mountain Scholarships to first-generation law students who have shown a commitment to the Asian Pacific American community. Each award is $5,000. Applicants should show financial need and demonstrate that they are dedicated to public interest law or pro bono work. Applications are due by September 7th.
15. NLF Scholarships
Eligibility
– U.S. citizen or permanent resident
– Attending an accredited law school
In addition to the scholarships listed above, the NAPABA Law Foundation offers a variety of awards for law students; they include The Low Family Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, the LimNexus Scholarship, and more. Students can submit a single application to be considered for these awards, which range from $2,000 to $7,500.
16. Turco Muñoz Domestic Violence Survivor Scholarship
Eligibility
– Experience serving domestic violence survivors in a victim advocacy capacity
– Enrolled in law school or a relevant undergraduate or graduate program
– Planning to pursue a career serving domestic violence survivors
The Turco Muñoz Domestic Violence Survivor Scholarship provides $1,000 per year to a law student who is planning to dedicate at least part of their career to serving and supporting the survivors of domestic abuse. The goal of the fund is to help create new lawyers who can reduce the crises related to this type of abuse. When applying, plan to submit a resume and a letter of recommendation. Applications are accepted between June 15th and August 15th.
17. Trial Lawyer Scholarship
Eligibility
– First-year or second-year law student
– Considering a career as a trial lawyer
The Trial Lawyer Scholarship, which totals $1,000, is given by Echard Marquette Attorneys at Law as a way to support the next generation of trial lawyers. The funds are given to one law student; preference is given to students who are planning to practice personal injury law in the western Pennsylvania region. There’s no application form; instead, you only need to provide basic information and a 1,000-word personal statement. Applications are due by July 31st.
18. Stanford Summer Session’s Horizon Scholars
Eligibility
– High school junior
– Between the ages of 16 and 19
– California resident
– Eligible for free or reduced lunch
For aspiring pre-law students who want to spend their summers at Stanford University, the Stanford Summer Session’s Horizon Scholars is a good fit. This scholarship covers tuition, fees, room, board, and books for two academic courses. In addition, recipients will receive advising, academic support, and activities. Expect to provide grades, three essays, and a letter of recommendation. Apply by January 14th.
19. Mark Beaumont Scholarship
Eligibility
– Full-time enrollment at an accredited undergraduate or graduate program
– 21 years or older
– 3.3 GPA or higher
The Mark Beaumont Scholarship is given to a student who plans to work in the game development field; majors including law and business management qualify. In addition to a basic application, students must provide a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and proof of enrollment. The committee accepts applications until May 31st.
20. Merchant Exchange Scholarship
Eligibility
– Minimum GPA of 2.5
– Enrolled in an accredited or U.S. Coast Guard-certified program
The Merchant Exchange Scholarship is designed to support a student who is thinking about a career in maritime affairs or international trade. It’s administered by Merchants Exchange as a way to make up for increasingly expensive tuition costs. The committee looks for applicants with a strong academic record and demonstrated personal character. The award amounts vary by year, and applications are due by May 31st.
21. Law Student Assistance Fund
Eligibility
– Beginning the third year of law school
– Permanent resident of and high school graduate from Selby County or an adjacent county in Ohio
The Law Student Assistance Fund was created to help future lawyers from the Selby County area in Ohio. It awards one student $3,500 to help cover the costs of the third year of law school. The committee considers the financial need, academic record, and leadership of each applicant. Preference is given to candidates who are parents, spouses, or who are planning to use their law degree in a rural area. Apply by May 30th.
22. Artemis Andriotis Scholarship
Eligibility
– Attending or planning to attend college
– Good academic standing
Receive $1,000 for law school with the Artemis Andriotis Scholarship. It’s given by George Andriotis in memory of his sister; the goal is to help students manage the financial aspect of higher education. To apply for the scholarship, students must create and submit a video essay that explains why they want to become a lawyer. Applications are judged on originality, creativity, feasibility, and potential for success. Submit videos by May 1st.
23. Maine Police Emerald Society Kevin Riordan Presidential Scholarship
Eligibility
– Graduating from high school in Maine
– Planning to attend college or university in Maine
– Enrolled full time in criminal justice or a similar program
The Maine Police Emerald Society Kevin Riordan Presidential Scholarship is made possible by the family of Daniel F. Cashman. It offers $500 to a student who’s planning to work in law enforcement or criminal justice. In addition to academic records and a history of leadership, the scholarship committee looks at students’ essays and career goals. The funds are given directly to the student to be used for books, tuition, a computer, or other costs. Apply by May 1st.
24. SUGARMAN Annual Law School Scholarship
Eligibility
– Attending or admitted to an accredited U.S. law school
– Good academic standing
Receive $1,250 toward law school by winning the SUGARMAN Annual Law School Scholarship. Given by the SUGARMAN Personal Injury Law Firm, this award goes to two students who are considering a career in public service or personal injury law. The scholarship committee gives the most weight to the required essay; they may also offer preference to students at law schools in Greater Boston. Apply by April 30th.
25. V&E Diversity Scholarships
Eligibility
– High school senior in the top 20% of their class
– Financial need
– Minimum SAT score of 1100 or 22 ACT
– U.S. citizen or 7 years of residency in Dallas, Houston, or Austin, Texas
Every year, the Vinson & Elkins law firm offers V&E Diversity Scholarships. Each award totals $10,000; winners are also given a mentor and the opportunity for a summer internship at V&E. These funds are designed to help students from groups who are often underrepresented in the legal field, including minorities and members of the LGBTQ community. Submit your application by April 1st.
Figuring out how to pay for law school? The best scholarships for law students can help cover tuition and other costs, so you can stay focused on educational opportunities.
Peruse our other worthy scholarships here.
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