
Scholarships for law students
Pursuing a degree in law opens the door to a wide range of careers. At the undergraduate level, studying law can provide you with a solid foundation for law school, government work, and more. With a Juris Doctor, you can go on to become an attorney, consultant, or even work for the United Nations.
In addition to supporting the legal foundations of our society, pursuing a law degree allows you to help others by providing legal representation. Plus, you can explore an array of different specializations within the legal field – whether you’re interested in immigration law, human rights law, or intellectual property law, among others.
Scholarships for law students can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs and student loan debt.
The general path to becoming a lawyer involves earning a bachelor’s degree in any subject, taking the LSAT exam, and earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.). After graduating from law school, you also need to complete the bar exam. Becoming a lawyer can be a challenging and rigorous journey, but can lead to an extremely rewarding career.
While the median annual salary for lawyers is $126,930, both an undergraduate education and law school degree can be pricey. While prospective students need to research all their financial aid options, many turn to scholarships to minimize their out-of-pocket costs and student loan debt. Start your scholarship search by learning about the options listed below.
Scholarships for undergraduate law students
Although you can be accepted into law school with an undergraduate degree in any field, many students choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Not only can an undergraduate law degree help prepare you for law school, but it also provides a great foundation for a career in business and other fields.
This annual scholarship is awarded to both current and incoming students studying law. Students must submit a short essay on a topic selected by the firm.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: ChapmanAlbin Scholarship
The Alsandor Law Firm awards one scholarship per year to current college students pursuing a degree in a law-related field. To apply, students must submit a video essay explaining why they want to become a lawyer.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: Alsandor Law Firm Scholarship
This undergraduate scholarship is aimed at students who plan to pursue a career in the legal field. The winner is selected based on a 2-minute video outlining their reasons for wanting to become a lawyer.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: Fielding Law Group Scholarship
Scholarships for graduate, doctoral, and law school students
After earning a bachelor’s degree, many students go on to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.), which is usually a 3-year program. Some schools also offer a master’s-level law degree. While this isn’t a qualifying degree to take the bar exam, it provides the opportunity to deepen your legal knowledge or perform research in the field.
Students in their second- or third-year of law school can apply for this scholarship awarded by the American Association for Justice. Applicants should have an interest in trial advocacy and representing victims.
Scholarship amount: $3,000
Official website: Trial Advocacy Law Student Scholarship
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. awards two scholarships to current and aspiring law students. Students must complete an essay about the importance of pro-bono legal work.
Scholarship amount: Up to $1,000
Official website: Keith M. Fletcher Excellence in Ethics Scholarship
Open to students pursuing a J.D., Reiff Law Firm awards this scholarship to one student per year. Undergraduate law students are also eligible to apply, but cannot receive the funds until they’re enrolled in accredited law school.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: Reiff Law Firm Legal Scholarship
The Institute for Humane Studies awards this fellowship to students who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a Ph.D. program. Eligible areas of study include law, political science, history, and more. Students must be researching a topic that supports the advancement of classical liberal scholarship.
Scholarship amount: Up to $15,000
Official website: Humane Studies Fellowship
Scholarships for women in law
According to the United States Census Bureau, women only make up approximately 38% of all lawyers. Luckily, this is on the rise. Women bring a different perspective to the legal field and can help create positive change. The organizations below provide scholarships for law students who are women to help reduce the gender gap.
LIWOCA provides scholarships to women of color who have completed at least one year of law school. Applicants should be active participants in their community and law school and committed to pursuing a career in the legal field.
Scholarship amount: Determined by the committee
Official website: LIWOCA Scholarship
Each year, Trusts & Estates Lawyers awards this scholarship to a female or female-identifying student pursuing a degree in law, business, or a related field. Applicants must be strong leaders and can be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate-level degree.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official website: Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship
Scholarships for minority students in law
Minority groups are widely underrepresented in the legal field. According to the American Bar Association, only 4.7% of U.S.-based lawyers are Black lawyers, 4.8% are Hispanic, 2.5% are Asian, and 1% are Native American. To improve the diversity of the legal field, several organizations provide scholarships for law students who are minorities, including the ones below.
First-year law students from historically underrepresented groups, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, can apply for this annual scholarship. Students must be attending one of the California-based law schools listed by the organization.
Scholarship amount: No amount specified
Official website: Farella Diversity Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students from diverse or underrepresented groups planning to pursue a career in intellectual property law. Recipients are also required to intern at one of the firm’s domestic offices as a summer associate. The scholarship is renewable for students who receive the invitation to continue their internship into the fall semester.
Scholarship amount: $15,000
Official website: Finnegan Diversity Scholarship
Lane Powell awards this annual scholarship to a diverse student committed to serving in the legal field. Recipients of this award also work as a summer associate in the firm’s Seattle or Portland office.
Scholarship amount: $7,500
Official website: George V. Powell Diversity Scholarship
Scholarships for law students with disabilities
Becoming a lawyer is a long and difficult process. Students who have faced significant personal challenges while still achieving their goals typically have the skills and determination to pursue a career in law. Many lawyers with disabilities go on to become leaders in their field, such as Friedl Richardson, who provides one of the scholarships mentioned below.
Each year, Hermann Law Group provides scholarships to U.S.-based law students with a physical or mental disability. To apply, students should submit an essay on how they have succeeded despite their disability.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: The Law Student with a Disability Scholarship
With the belief that students who have faced extenuating personal struggles are prepared to deal with the challenges of acquiring a law degree, Friedl Richardson Trial Lawyers provides this annual scholarship. Students can be pursuing a law degree at any institution in the United States.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official website: Disabled Students Pursuing a Career in Law Scholarship
AG Bell presents this annual scholarship to graduate or doctoral-level students pursuing a degree in law or public policy. Applicants must have moderate to profound hearing loss that was diagnosed prior to their fourth birthday.
Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000
Official website: George H. Nofer Scholarship for Law and Public Policy
Earning a law degree at the undergraduate or graduate level paves the way for you to gain a deeper understanding of local, national, and international legal systems. You gain the skill set to provide legal counsel to businesses and governments, ensure that the legal system is fair, and even support communities by performing pro bono legal work.
The good news is that a law degree doesn’t have to mean more student debt. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn about all types of financial support available to students and complete the FAFSA which determines your eligibility. Grants, federal and private loans, and scholarships, general or specifically for law students, can help pay for your career goal.
FAQ
How much does a law degree cost?
According to the Education Data Initiative, a 4-year undergraduate degree costs an average of $141,324. They also estimate that the average cost for law school tuition is $137,533. In addition to education, aspiring lawyers must pay $200 to take the LSAT exam prior to entering law school and anywhere from $100 to $1,300 for the bar exam to practice law.
Where can I find scholarships for law students?
A great place to begin your search is the Degree Choices database, which allows you to search by major, location, and more. You can extend this search by visiting similar websites like Cappex, Fastweb and Petersons. Your high school guidance counselor or school’s financial aid office can provide additional resources to help you find scholarships as well.
Is a law degree worth it?
With high tuition rates and challenging coursework, you may be left wondering whether a law degree is worth it or not. If you feel passionate about helping others and ensuring that the legal system is just and fair for all, a legal degree could be the right choice for you Due to predicted growth in the field and high earning potential, a law degree is also an attractive option to students seeking stable employment.
More law scholarships
Congressional Research Grants Program
Dirksen Congressional Center
Not Renewable
Amount: $3,500+
Deadline: ongoing
Women in Defense-Michigan Scholarship
Women In Defense Michigan
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 3/12
Council on Approved Student Education (CASE) Student Scholarship
National Court Reporters Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $250 – $1,500
Deadline: 3/15
LSAT Preparation Course Scholarship
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Amount: $799 – $1,500
Deadline: ongoing
Littleton-Griswold Research Grant for Research in US Legal History
American Historical Association
Renewable
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 2/15
Bernice Pickens Parsons Fund
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 2/1
Madeline B. McCrum Scholarship
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 2/1
WIFLE Scholarship
WIFLE Foundation, Inc.
Not Renewable
Amount: $1,000 – $2,500
Deadline: 5/3
Austern Writing Competition
Food and Drug Law Institute
Not Renewable
Amount: $250 – $750
Deadline: 6/11
Farella Braun + Martel LLP 1L Diversity Scholarship
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: ongoing
George H. Nofer Scholarship for Law and Public Policy
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Not Renewable
Amount: $5,000+
Deadline: 4/10
The Sharon and Ivan Fong Scholarship
NAPABA Law Foundation
Renewable
Amount: $7,500+
Deadline: 6/30
Bowles, McDavid, Graff and Love Scholarship
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 2/1
Joe Rudd Scholarships
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 3/15
National Association of Water Companies – New Jersey Chapter – Scholarship Program
National Association of Water Companies-New Jersey Chapter
Not Renewable
Amount: $5,000+
Deadline: 5/1
Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties
Type Media Center
Amount: $2,000+
Deadline: 4/16
Warner Norcross and Judd LLP Scholarship for Students of Color
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Not Renewable
Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
Deadline: 3/1
AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
Not Renewable
Amount: $5,000+
Deadline: 5/31
Foundation of the FBA Public Service Scholarship
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $5,000+
Deadline: 4/30
Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Scholarship
Federal Circuit Bar Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $10,000+
Deadline: 3/1