Scholarships for Black Law Students: Unveiling Opportunities and Grants
Are you ready to discover exclusive scholarships for Black law students? Explore the avenues that prioritize your success. Navigate your legal education with financial support and resources designed for underrepresented and oppressed law students.
Starting a career in law can be financially challenging due to the high cost of law school. However, the investment is often considered worthwhile with potential lucrative earnings. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average law student faces a substantial debt burden, with over $140,000 in student loans upon graduation. To mitigate this financial strain, law school scholarships play a crucial role in supporting aspiring legal professionals and reducing the overall cost of obtaining a scholarship. Read on to discover strategies for launching your legal career while minimizing student debt.
37 Scholarships for Black Law Students
1. Gutsy Graduate Student Essay Scholarship
Offered by Scholarships360
1 award worth $1,000
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
Description: The scholarship encourages graduate students to showcase their courage and resilience through a compelling essay. The name “Gutsy” reflects the boldness and determination expected from applicants.
2. Follow Your Own Path Essay Scholarship
Offered by Scholarships360
1 award worth $500
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
Description: This scholarship, provided by Scholarships360, supports students in pursuing their unique educational and career paths. Applicants are invited to express their journeys and aspirations through an essay.
3. Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
Offered by Legal Defense Fund
Multiple awards worth $3,000
Deadline: Apr 1, 2024
Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Students
Description: Sponsored by the Legal Defense Fund, this scholarship aims to assist high school seniors and college students. The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship is part of the organization’s commitment to advancing racial justice.
4. $10,000 No Essay Scholarship
Offered by Scholarships360
1 award worth $10,000
Deadline: Jun 30, 2024
Grade Level: All Grade Levels
Description: The Scholarships360 $10,000 No Essay Scholarship is an open opportunity for students at all levels seeking financial assistance. No essay is required for application.
5. $2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship
Offered by Sallie Mae
1 award worth $2,000
Deadline: Jan 31, 2024
Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
Description: Sallie Mae offers a $2,000 monthly scholarship with an easy application process. No essay or account sign-ups are required, making it accessible for those needing financial support.
6. Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Offered by Niche
1 award worth $25,000
Deadline: Feb 29, 2024
Grade Level: All Grade Levels
Description: Niche presents an easy-to-apply scholarship open to high school and college students and anyone planning to attend college or graduate school next year. No essay is necessary for application.
7. $25k Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship
Offered by Bold.org
1 award worth $25,000
Deadline: Feb 1, 2024
Grade Level: All Grade Levels
Description: The Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship by Bold.org is open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students. The application process is straightforward.
8. Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship Program
Offered by The Kosciuszko Foundation
Multiple awards worth up to $7,000
Deadline: Mar 4, 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
Description: The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship Program supports graduate students and is part of the foundation’s efforts to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and other countries.
9. George H. Nofer Scholarship for Law and Public Policy
Offered by Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Multiple awards worth $5,000
Deadline: Mar 15, 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The George H. Nofer Scholarship supports full-time graduate students with severe to profound hearing loss pursuing law and public policy studies.
10. Jan Jancin Award
Offered by American Intellectual Property Law Association
1 award worth $5,000
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Jan Jancin Awards celebrate outstanding second and third-year law students from diverse backgrounds who are underrepresented racial or ethnic minorities, offering merit-based scholarships.
11. We The Future Contest
Offered by Constituting America
Multiple awards worth $100 – $5,000
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Grade Level: All Grade Levels
The We The Future Contest is open to students of all levels, including elementary, middle, high school, college, and graduate students and teachers. It covers various categories, offering awards from $100 to $5,000.
12. Hirsch & Lyon Annual College Scholarship
Offered by Hirsch & Lyon Accident Law PLLC
1 award worth $1,000
Deadline: Jul 10, 2024
Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Students
The Hirsch & Lyon Annual College Scholarship awards $1,000 annually to a high school senior or current college student passionate about pursuing a college education.
13. Georges Lurcy Fellowships
Offered by Georges Lurcy Charitable and Educational Trust
Multiple awards worth $20,000
Deadline: Varies
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
The Georges Lurcy Fellowships are designed for students in France interested in studying abroad in the U.S., providing scholarships to support their educational pursuits.
14. Casey Family Services Alumni Scholarship
Offered by Foster Care To Success
Multiple awards worth up to $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
The Casey Family Services Alumni Scholarship is available for students who have been in foster care through Casey Family Services.
15. Pride Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Pride Foundation
Multiple awards worth up to $16,500
Expected deadline: January 2025
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
The Pride Foundation Scholarship is for LGBTQ+ students who are current or former Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington residents.
16. Don H. Liu Scholars Program Scholarship
Offered by Don H. Liu Scholars Program
Multiple awards worth $15,000
Expected deadline: December 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Don H. Liu Scholars Program Scholarship is for Asian-American students enrolled full-time as 1L in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S.
17. Bronx Injury Lawyers P.C. Essay Contest $500 Scholarship
Offered by Bronx Injury Lawyers P.C.
1 award worth $500
Expected deadline: December 2024
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
The Bronx Injury Lawyers P.C. Essay Contest offers a $500 scholarship to students aspiring to become Bronx truck accident lawyers.
18. NYC Injury Attorneys P.C. $500 Essay Scholarship
Offered by NYC Injury Attorneys P.C.
1 award worth $500
Expected deadline: December 2024
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
NYC Injury Attorneys P.C. offers a $500 Essay Scholarship to support aspiring personal injury lawyers.
19. Selected Professions Fellowship
Offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Multiple awards worth up to $20,000
Expected deadline: November 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Selected Professions Fellowship is for women in traditionally male-dominated master’s degree programs.
20. Kelley & Canterbury, LLC Alaska Curiosity Scholarship
Offered by Kelley & Canterbury, LLC
1 award worth $1,000
Expected deadline: September 2024
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
The Kelley & Canterbury, LLC Alaska Curiosity Scholarship is available for Alaska college students enrolled in a two to five-year institution.
21. Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship
Offered by The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, Inc.
Multiple awards worth $3,500
Expected deadline: September 2024
Grade Level: College Seniors & Graduate Students
The Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship is a one-year grant awarded annually to law students and colleg and graduate students.
22. Carole Bailey Scholarship
Offered by AccessLex Institute
Multiple awards worth up to $5,000
Expected deadline: September 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Carole Bailey Scholarship is open to incoming and returning law students with a demonstrated commitment to public service.
23. Pittsburgh Injury Lawyers P.C. $500 Scholarship Essay Contest
Offered by Pittsburgh Injury Lawyers, P.C.
1 award worth $500
Expected deadline: July 2024
Grade Level: College & Graduate Students
Pittsburgh Injury Lawyers P.C. offers aspiring injury lawyers an annual $500 scholarship.
24. Sutliff & Stout Law School Scholarship Contest
Offered by Sutliff & Stout, PLLC
1 award worth $1,500
Expected deadline: July 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Sutliff & Stout Law School Scholarship Contest is open to students enrolled or accepted into an ABA-accredited law school in the United States.
25. Robert C. Watson Award
Offered by American Intellectual Property Law Association
Multiple awards vary
Expected deadline: June 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Robert C. Watson Award, sponsored by AIPLA, is a student competition promoting interest in intellectual property issues.
26. SAIL Scholarship
Offered by NAPABA Law Foundation
1 award worth $3,750 – $7,500
Expected deadline: June 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The SAIL Scholarship awards $7,500 over two years to a 2L student starting in the upcoming Fall.
27. Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship
Offered by Alabama Law Foundation
Multiple awards worth up to $5,000
Expected deadline: June 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Cabaniss Johnston Scholarship, funded by the Alabama Law Foundation, supports access to justice for all.
28. Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship
Offered by The Bar Association of San Francisco
Multiple awards worth $10,000
Expected deadline: May 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship allows Bay Area minority law students to receive funding toward their law degree.
29. AABA Law Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area
Multiple awards worth up to $10,000
Expected deadline: May 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
If you are a law student interested in conducting community service or public interest work for the Asian Pacific American (APA) Community and committed to issues affecting the APA community, this scholarship is for you.
30. Earl Warren Scholarship
Offered by Legal Defense Fund
Multiple awards worth $15,000
Expected deadline: May 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Earl Warren Scholarship is funded by the Legal Defense Fund and is dedicated to using law to advance civil rights and justice. The scholarship supports students who share this commitment.
31. When There Are Nine (WTAN) Scholarship
Offered by AccessLex Institute
Multiple awards worth $10,000
Expected deadline: May 2024
Grade Level: College Seniors & Graduate Students
This scholarship is for women interested in becoming attorneys. The When There Are Nine (WTAN) Scholarship aims to support and encourage women to pursue a legal career.
32. Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Offered by the American Bar Association
Multiple awards worth up to $5,000
Expected deadline: April 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA), supports law students from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the legal profession.
33. Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship
Offered by Federal Circuit Bar Association
1 award worth $10,000
Expected deadline: April 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship seeks law students demonstrating academic promise, economic need, and an interest in the subject matter of the Federal Circuit Court.
34. Helen W. Nies Memorial Scholarship
Offered by Federal Circuit Bar Association
1 award worth $10,000
Expected deadline: April 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Helen W. Nies Memorial Scholarship encourages the participation of women lawyers in the legal profession and recognizes their contributions.
35. Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
Offered by Rhode Island Bar Association
2 awards worth $25,000
Expected deadline: March 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
If you are a resident of Rhode Island entering law school in the upcoming fall semester, consider applying for the Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program.
36. Han C. Choi Scholarship
Offered by NAPABA Law Foundation
1 award worth $5,000
Expected deadline: March 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Han C. Choi Scholarship awards $5,000 to a 1L or 2L law student who showcases outstanding academic prowess, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for community service.
37. Diversity Law Scholarship
Offered by Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
1 award worth $20,000
Expected deadline: February 2024
Grade Level: Graduate Students
The Diversity Law Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for 1L law school students committed to promoting diversity in the legal profession. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
These scholarships provide financial support and recognition for law students who excel academically, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and are committed to positively impacting their communities. If you meet the criteria, consider applying for these opportunities to further your legal education.
Law School-Specific Scholarships
- Dean’s Fellow Scholarship at Santa Clara Law School – Grants a student up to full tuition, automatic consideration upon application submission.
- Law Scholarships at the University of Minnesota – Bestows full-tuition awards for incoming students
- David M. Rubenstein Scholarship at the University of Chicago – Allocates up to 60 full-tuition scholarships annually.
- Karsh-Dillard Scholarship at the University of Virginia – Recognizes University of Virginia law students with up to full tuition awards.
- Dean’s Scholarship at Boston University School of Law – Presents full-tuition scholarships for a selected group of students.
- Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarship at Ohio State University – Offers full tuition and a $2,500 annual stipend for chosen law students.
- Scalia Law Scholars Early Decision Program – Eligible for full-tuition scholarships, students committing to George Mason’s Scalia School of Law through Early Decision
- Tech law Fellowship at the University of Arizona – Provides full tuition and a stipend for law students with a STEM background at the University of Arizona.
- Law Scholarships at the University of Colorado Boulder – Numerous scholarships for incoming students and full-ride scholarships for promising continuing students.
How to Secure Law School Merit Scholarships
Winning merit scholarships for law school often depends on individual law schools’ criteria. Here are some tips to enhance your chances of earning a merit scholarship:
1. Craft a Compelling Essay:
Focus on writing a powerful essay as scholarship committees review numerous applications.
Tailor your essay to showcase your passion for legal studies, whether in racial justice, public service, or corporate law.
Clearly articulate why you are drawn to your chosen subject and how you plan to excel in it.
Utilize resources for writing guidance, covering topics like crafting a winning essay, self-reflection, essay introduction, and conclusion, and managing word limits.
2. Prepare for the LSAT:
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) plays a significant role in law school admissions and scholarship considerations.
Dedicate ample time to LSAT preparation to ensure a strong performance.
Consider enrolling in an LSAT prep course to enhance your readiness for the exam.
Remember that a higher LSAT score can positively impact your chances of securing a merit scholarship.
Investing time and effort into your essay and LSAT preparation can significantly boost your competitiveness for law school merit scholarships.
3. Choosing the Right Law School for Scholarships
Selecting the right law school is crucial for maximizing scholarship opportunities, as not all institutions provide many students with financial aid. Focus on schools that offer robust financial aid packages, encompassing partial scholarships, full tuition, and awards exceeding full tuition.
Consider the following strategies to identify suitable law schools:
1. Evaluate LSAT Percentiles:
Identify law schools where your LSAT score aligns with or exceeds the published 75th percentile.
This indicates that you are a strong candidate for merit scholarships at these institutions.
2. Assess Post-Graduate Outcomes:
Examine post-graduate earnings and job placement data for the law school’s alumni.
Understand how the JD program’s outcomes align with your career goals.
Consider the variation in salaries across legal specialties when evaluating starting salary data.
4. Explore Need-Based Financial Aid:
Merit scholarships are one aspect of funding; explore need-based financial aid as well.
Apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Access federal student loans with favorable terms and explore additional aid options such as Pell Grants.
5. Leverage In-State Tuition:
With the approval of the American Bar Association, there are more than 80 public law schools, making it likely that your state university will host a law school.
A notable advantage of public universities is their provision of reduced tuition rates for in-state residents. Explore the following examples to observe how residents can benefit from cost savings:
| Law School | In-state Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| U of Alabama | $23,610 | $43,060 |
| U of Connecticut | $30,354 | $61,396 |
| Indiana U | $36,750 | $57,000 |
| U of Kansas | $22,769 | $28,804 |
| U of North Carolina | $24,480 | $41,626 |
| U of Texas | $36,429 | $54,096 |
Considering in-state tuition for residents can significantly reduce the overall cost of attending many colleges and universities. Therefore, it is an important factor that you should thoroughly consider.
Moreover, some states may have tuition reciprocity agreements, potentially allowing out-of-state students to qualify for in-state tuition rates. This can further contribute to cost savings in your education.
Supportive Resources for Law School Students
Law school presents its challenges, but numerous organizations are dedicated to aiding your success. Explore the following resources designed to assist law students:
1. Law School Admission Council (LSAC):
LSAC, a non-profit organization renowned for administering the LSAT, extends its support to aspiring law school students.
Access free LSAT test prep in collaboration with Khan Academy.
Benefit from additional free resources, including application checklists, program selection guides, and webinars on navigating the law school admissions process.
2. American Bar Association (ABA):
As the world’s largest voluntary association of lawyers and law students, ABA offers a dedicated page with valuable free resources.
Explore articles providing insights on navigating law school and succeeding as a lawyer, podcasts hosted by professionals, and more.
3. Law School Toolbox:
Loaded with helpful tools, the Law School Toolbox provides various resources to guide students through their law school journey.
Access podcasts, written guides, workshops, tutoring services, and personalized career assistance—many of which are available for free.
Frequently Asked Questions about Law School Scholarships
1. How hard is it to get a law school scholarship?
While law schools commonly offer scholarships, obtaining financial aid for law school requires proactive efforts. In 2019, 73.3% of law students received some form of financial aid. Actively seek opportunities, apply for fellowships, and consider private scholarships listed on platforms like our scholarship search tool for a custom-matched experience.
2. When should you apply for law school scholarships?
Start exploring law school scholarship opportunities during the summer before your senior year if you plan to go straight from undergrad. Continue searching and applying throughout the year, as new opportunities arise. Utilize tools that provide custom-matched scholarship updates to ensure you don’t miss potential funding.
3. Does FAFSA pay for law school?
Law school students can access federal student loans through the FAFSA but are not eligible for Pell Grants. While FAFSA qualifies students for institutional aid and loans, it doesn’t provide direct federal funds. Submitting a FAFSA is a crucial step in applying for financial aid in law school.
4. How common is getting a full ride for law school?
Full-ride law school scholarships are uncommon, but students can explore various avenues. Some secure tuition coverage through employers using options like tuition reimbursement. Law schools offer opportunities for earning money, such as graduate assistantships. Partnerships between law firms and universities, like diversity fellowships, may also provide full-ride options, although they are not widespread.
Can you get a Pell Grant to pay for law school?
Pell Grants are exclusively available for undergraduate students, and you cannot utilize them to fund law school. However, law schools often provide grants or scholarships for prospective students. To explore available options, it’s recommended to inquire directly with the law school you are interested in.
What LSAT score gets scholarships?
To increase your chances of receiving a scholarship based on your LSAT score, consider applying to schools where your score aligns with or exceeds the top 25th percentile of admitted students. This higher score makes you a more attractive candidate for scholarships. Law schools may award scholarships for various reasons, including diversity, financial need, and specific career aspirations such as civil rights or public interest law.
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