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Although the frequent butt of both jest and malicious jokes, lawyers are in a profession that is justifiably known as “noble” and “learned.” Lawyers are not known for monetary or mental deficiency. Thus, it is no surprise that many have stepped up to the plate and gone to bat on behalf of less privileged aspiring students by providing scholarships for law students.
1. Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact administrator
The San Francisco Bar Association established this scholarship in 1998 to reaffirm legal education and professional diversity. Its beginning was incited by the end of affirmative action and race-based admissions preference throughout the University of California institutional system.
Chosen recipients receive a $10,000 annual award renewable for up to three academic years of advanced legal studies. Of date, eighty deserving legal scholars have received $1.5 million via this program.
Contact
Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship
The Bar Association of San Francisco
ATTN: Nicole Britton-Snyder
301 Battery Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel (415) 982-1600
E-mail: nbrittonsnyder@sfbar.org
Learn more at http://www.sfbar.org/jdc/diversity/educational-programs/scholarships.aspx#anchor02.
2. National Bar Institute African American Law Student Fellowship Program
DEADLINE: May 15
The National Bar Institute sponsors this program that awards $1,000 to $10,000 annually to three deserving law students.
Applicants must have/be:
• African American
• A full-time student at a U.S. law school
• U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency
• Completed at least two consecutive years of full-time legal studies
• Within two academic semesters of graduation
• Demonstrated commitment to improving justice and equality for African Americans, by virtue of legal scholarship and/or community activities involvement
• Plan post-graduation law practice in the African American community
Contact
National Bar Institute African American Law Student Fellowship Program
1225 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 842-3900
3. Chief Justice John B. Doolin Writing Competition
DEADLINE: March 15
Jointly sponsored by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, Oklahoma Arts Council, and Sovereignty Symposium, Inc., this competition is open to all students of accredited U.S. or Canadian law schools.
Primary influential factor in award decisions is a comprehensive legal essay that discusses any legal area pertaining to Native Americans or other indigenous groups. All research and references must be drawn from a designated collection of legal and scholarly historical works.
First, second, and third runners up are chosen to receive $500, $300, and $200, respectively.
Contact
Chief Justice John B. Doolin Writing Competition
Justice Yvonne Kauger
Sovereignty Symposium
Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 242
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
E-mail kyle.shifflet@oscn.net
4. Dallas Area Paralegal Association, DAPA, Scholarship
DEADLINE: Varies, contact sponsor
DAPA sponsors this scholarship that makes annual awards of $500 to $1,500 to three worthy paralegal students.
Applicants must have/be:
• Enrolled in at least credit six hours at a postsecondary paralegal program in Greater Dallas/Fort Worth or a contiguous county
• Attending an institution accredited by the American Bar Association, or ABA
• Demonstrated financial need
• Non-felons
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, or GPA
• Submit a fully completed application and all required supporting materials online by designated deadline
Chosen recipients who meet all eligibility criteria may reapply annually.
Contact
Dallas Area Paralegal Association Scholarship
P.O. Box 12533
Dallas, Texas 75225
Phone: (214) 284-0091
E-mail: executivedirector@dallasparalegals.org
5. Edward Traurig Scholarship
DEADLINE: April of each year
Connecticut’s Waterbury Bar Association sponsors this fund that makes $1,000 annual awards to assist deceased members’ children pursue a law degree.
Applicants must have/be:
• Residents of the Connecticut Waterbury Judicial District
• Entering second or third-year law students
• Enrolled full or part-time at an ABA-accredited school
Contact
Edward Traurig Scholarship
Gina Petrokaitis, Esq.
648 Chase Pkwy
Waterbury, CT 06780
Phone: (203) 753-1938
6. FBI Leadership Scholarships
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
The FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. sponsors this scholarship to help a deserving student with high potential for legal leadership.
Applicants participate in the organization’s annual Youth League Program for the current session. Recipient selections are made by YLP staff, based on demonstrated attributes the program is designed to exemplify.
The chosen recipient receives a full refund of all YLP registration fees and a $500.00 Certificate of Deposit from the Justice Federal Credit Union.
Contact
FBI Leadership Scholarships
FBI National Academy Associates, Inc.
422 Garrisonville Road, Suite 103
Stafford, Virginia 22554
Phone: (540) 628-0834
Website URL – http://www.fbinaa.org/FBINAA/Members_Only/Awards_and_Scholarships.aspx
7. Frankel Fellowships
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
Human Rights First, or HRF, is an independent advocacy and activist organization that sponsors this memorial program to advance its agendas by funding law student externships that facilitate public interests.
Frankel fellows receive stipends of $500 to $2,000 for a non-paying or low-paying summer legal job in a public service job.
Applicants must have/be:
• Completed the first or second year of law school by the May before a job begins
• Exhibit exemplary character, outstanding discretion, and dedication and high potential for community leadership
• Demonstrated public service commitment, by virtue of academic, vocational, and volunteer activities
Contact
Frankel Fellowships
805 15th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-370-3323
8. Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
Established by the son of its named honoree, this scholarship for law students assists deserving graduate students in conducting comprehensive research projects into wildlife conservation. Amount of annual awards vary but have historically been $10,000.
Applicants must have/be:
• Enrolled in a North American accredited graduate education program
• Strong academic qualifications
• Academic and/or career goals to make significant positive differences in U.S. wilderness protection
Contact
Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship
Anna Wlodarczyk, HR Associate
E-mail: anna_wlodarczyk@tws.org
As no phone calls are accepted, interested candidates may learn more at: http://wilderness.org/article/gloria-barron-wilderness-society-scholarship#sthash.eT8Ikjxd.dpuf.
9. Hatton W. Sumners Law Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact administrator
The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation sponsors this program to advance its mission of promoting self-government by awarding full-tuition and fees, a book allowance and living stipend for three years to several legal scholars annually.
Applicants must have/be:
• Rank within the top third of their class each year
• Attend law school at Oklahoma City University or Southern Methodist University
• Demonstrated civic engagement and leadership capacity
Finalists are interviewed on-campus by scholarship selection committee members.
Contact
Hatton W. Sumners Law Scholarship
Candidates must apply via institution and may learn more at http://hattonsumners.org/scholarships.htm.
10. Islamic Scholarship Fund, or ISF
DEADLINE: Varies, contact sponsor
In collaboration with various partner organizations, ISF sponsors several scholarships via that make annual awards that vary in number and amounts. This generosity is motivated by ISF’s main agenda of improving understanding and acceptance of Islam and its practitioners by increasing Muslim representation within influential professions on public policy and opinion.
Applicants must have/be:
• Muslim or active in the Muslim community
• Attending an accredited institution by August of award year
• Majoring in an ISF-supported major
• A minimum 3.0 GPA
• U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency
Contact
Phone: 650-995-6782
E-mail: contact@islamicscholarshipfund.org
Learn more at http://islamicscholarshipfund.org/programs/scholarships/.
11. Jan Jancin Award
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
The American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation, or AIPLEF, sponsors this fund that awards $2,500 and $5,000 annually to two legal scholars who exhibit excellence in the study of intellectual property law.
All applicants are considered only by nomination of AIPLEF law schools.
Contact
Jan Jancin Award
American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation
241 18th Street, South, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22202
Fax: (703) 415-0786
E-mail: admin@aiplef.org
12. Leesfield Law Student Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
The American Association for Justice, or AAJ and Ira Leesfield are joint sponsors of this fund that awards $2,000 to assist exemplary law students attend the AAJ Annual Convention.
Applications must have/be:
• AAJ Law Student members
• In the first or second year of study at an accredited law school
• Demonstrate financial need
• Exhibit high potential for career success in trial advocacy or public justice
Contact
Leesfield Law Student Scholarship
American Association for Justice
777 6th Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 800-424-2725 ext. 8612
E-mail: education@justice.org
13. Legal Support Professionals of Iowa Scholarship, or LSPI
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
LSPI makes this merit-based scholarship available to help its members obtain higher learning in education-related legal fields. Number and amount of annual awards vary.
Applicants must have/be:
• A high school senior or enrolled at least part-time in a postsecondary institution
• A minimum 3.0 GPA
• An Iowa resident
• An active LSPI member
Contact
Legal Support Professionals of Iowa Scholarship
Po Box 12015
Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone (936) 252-0953
Email Monte350v8@gmail.com
14. Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship
DEADLINE: September 1
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, or NAPABA, sponsors several scholarships that make $2,500 annual awards to law students with potential for future service to the Asian Pacific American community.
Applicants must have/be:
• Attending an accredited law school
• In good academic standing
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in public service, public interest, and/or pro bono legal work
• Financial need
• Demonstrate leadership potential, maturity, and responsibility
• Demonstrated commitment to serving Asian Pacific American community needs
Contact
Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship
1612 K Street NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 775-9555
E-mail: nlfstaff@napaba.org
15. Madeline B. McCrum Fund
DEADLINE: January 15
Sponsored by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, this fund makes two renewable awards of $1,000 to West Virginia law students.
Applicants must have/be:
• West Virginia residency
• Enrolled full-time at West Virginia University College of Law
• A minimum 2.5 GPA
• A minimum ACT score of 20
• Demonstrated good moral character
Contact
Madeline B. McCrum Fund
Susan Hoover, Scholarship Program Officer
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
900 Lee Street East, 16th Floor
Charleston, WA 25301
Phone: (304) 346-3620
E-mail: shoover@tgkvf.org
16. National Black Law Student Association, or NBLSA, Scholarships
DEADLINE: January
NBLSA sponsors four scholarships that make annual awards in varying amounts to assist worthy members pursue graduate legal education.
Applicants must have/be:
• African American
• Active NBLSA members in good standing
• Full-time law or pre-law students
• Demonstrate outstanding legal scholarship
Contact
National Black Law Student Association, or NBLSA, Scholarships
1225 11th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 618-2572
E-mail: info@nblsa.org
17. Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation in Michigan sponsors this scholarship as part of its mission to promote community diversity, inclusivity, and racism-free. Number and amount of annual awards vary.
Applicants must have/be:
• African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, or a Pacific Islander
• Accepted by or attending an accredited U.S. law school
• A permanent address in Michigan
• Demonstrate financial need
• U.S. citizenship
• A minimum 3.0 GPA
Contact
Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Scholarship
Ruth Bishop
Phone: 616-454-1751, ext. 103
E-mail: rbishop@grfoundation.org
18. Otto M. Stanfield Law Scholarship
DEADLINE: February 15
Funded by the wife of its named honoree, this fund makes annual awards in varying amounts to law students of Unitarian Universalist faiths.
Applicants must have/be:
• Entering or current graduate-level law students
• An active relationship with Unitarian Universalism
• Demonstrated financial need
• Enrolled at an accredited institution
Although scholarships are non-renewable, recipients may reapply annually.
Contact
Otto M. Stanfield Law Scholarship
Hillary Goodridge
UU Funding Program Director
Phone: (617) 971-9600
E-mail: uufp@uua.org
19. Peggy Kommer Novosad Scholarship Fund
DEADLINE: Contact administrator
Administered by Michigan’s Grand Rapid Community Foundation, this scholarship makes a varying number of awards in varying amounts to law students from Kent County, MI.
Applicants must have/be:
• A resident of Kent County, MI
• An undergraduate degree from Michigan State or Grand Valley State University
• Attending an accredited Michigan law school full-time
• A minimum 3.5 GPA
• Demonstrate financial need
Contact
Peggy Kommer Novosad Scholarship Fund
Ruth Bishop
Phone: 616-454-1751, ext. 103
E-mail: rbishop@grfoundation.org
20. Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP-Ralph K. Frasier Scholarship – Cleveland
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor or institution
Sponsored by an international law firm, this fund makes non-renewable annual awards of up to $5,000 to minority legal scholars at Ohio institutions.
Applicants must have/be:
• Of minority racial or ethnic origin
• First-year law students at Ohio State University or Capital University
• Demonstrate exceptional scholarship, leadership, and involvement in extracurricular or community activities
Successful applicants also receive a summer law clerkship.
Contact
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP-Ralph K. Frasier Scholarship – Cleveland
925 Euclid Ave.
Suite 1700
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: (216) 443-9000 or (800) 824-1980
21. Public Interest Scholarship Competition
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
The American Bar Association Law Student Division, or ABALSD, sponsors several national competitions annually that award various amounts to winning participants. These ABALSD programs are designed to help aspiring attorneys develop practical skills to a high degree of competence at an early stage.
As entry eligibility criteria vary widely, prospective participants should investigate further at http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/events_competitions/wec.html.
Contact
Public Interest Scholarship Competition
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 988-5125
Email: abalsd@americanbar.org
22. Roscoe Hogan Environmental Law Essay Contest
DEADLINE: January 31
Now known as the Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest, this annual competition is sponsored by the Public Justice Foundation and awards $5,000 to the winning entrant.
Applicants must have/be:
• Attending an accredited U.S. law school
• Submit essay entry via a faculty advisor
• Submit an intent to enter form online by January 31 of contest entry calendar year
Contact
Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest
Public Justice Foundation
Attention: Cassandra Goings
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20006
E-mail: cgoings@publicjustice.net
23. Trial Advocacy Scholarship
DEADLINE: Contact sponsor
Sponsored by the American Association for Justice, or AAJ, this scholarship awards $2,500 to an AAJ law student member annually.
Applicants must have/be:
• An AAJ Law Student Member
• Demonstrate dedication to AAJ’s mission, by virtue of extensive involvement in AAJ Student Chapter activities
• Exhibit interest and high proficiency in trial advocacy
• Demonstrate financial need
• Expressed desire for victim advocacy
Contact
Trial Advocacy Scholarship
American Association for Justice
777 6th Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (800) 424-2725, ext. 8612
E-mail: education@justice.org
24. Water Law & Policy Scholarship
DEADLINE: April 1
The Association for California Water Agencies, or ACWA, sponsors this scholarship that awards $7,000 to graduate students pursuing degrees in law, public policy, and/or public administration with a focus on water resources.
Applicants must have/be:
• Earned an undergraduate degree by academic year of award
• Enrolled in at least 8 credits of graduate coursework per academic term of award year
• Plan attendance for entire academic year of award
• Demonstrate financial need
• Exhibit high motivation for career in chosen field of study
• Demonstrate outstanding academic performance
Contact
Water Law & Policy Scholarship
910 K Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 441-4545
E-mail: awards@acwa.com
A fill-in application form is available at http://www.acwa.com/sites/default/files/page/2010/02/water_law_application-2014-15.pdf.
25. Willard & Donna Mullan Scholarship
DEADLINE: March 17
The Humboldt Area Foundation sponsors this fund that makes eight to twelve annual awards of $1,000 to $2,000 to help deserving students pursue careers as paralegals, court reporters, and legal secretaries.
Applicants must have/be:
• Graduates of Fortuna High School or another Humboldt County high school
• Enrolled full-time at College of the Redwoods
• Pursuing studies to become a court reporter, paralegal, or legal secretary
Contact
Willard & Donna Mullan Scholarship
Humboldt Area Foundation
Cassandra Wagner, Program Coordinator
363 Indianola Road
Bayside, CA 95524
Phone: (707) 442-2993, ext. 323
E-mail: cassandraw@hafoundation.org
Aspiring lawyers unable to balance bank account with law school bursar bills are often challenged. Prove worthy to enter the ranks of your elite chosen profession by pursuing higher education funding with these great scholarships for law students.
