Law Scholarships

You take a break from your standardized test prep and find there's a Tom Cruise movie marathon on television. Do you identify most with his portrayal of Brian Flanagan in "Cocktail," Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in "Top Gun" or Lt. Daniel Kaffee in "A Few Good Men"? If you chose the latter, the odds are pretty good you’re already considering a career in law. But can you handle the truth…about funding your education?

Becoming a lawyer requires four years of undergraduate study (no doubt filled with political science, history and communications classes), three years of law school and countless hours studying in the library, participating in moot court and cramming for the bar exam in between. Time for friends, sleep and work will be minimal but the rewards for doing so – a higher-than-average salary, a prestigious career and the knowledge that you’re working toward the greater good every day - are pretty amazing, which is why countless organizations are more than happy to provide current and prospective law students with law scholarship opportunities.

So where can you find law scholarships you can actually win? The American Bar Association is a great place to start, as are local law firms and PanHellenic organizations. Some colleges, like Yale and Northwestern, have their own database for student grants and fellowships but the only students who benefit are those applying to or already attending those schools. Scholarships.com, however, allows anyone with a profile to complete a free scholarship search and obtain other assistance in paying for school. We've listed a few law scholarships below but your search will also turn up essay scholarships, minority scholarships, scholarships for returning students and myriad other opportunities based on your unique situation. Looks like you can handle the truth after all!

ALBA George Watt Memorial Essay Contest
Application Deadlines: July 15, Annually
This annual essay competition was established in 1998 to honor Lincoln vet George Watt, a writer and lifelong activist central to the creation of ALBA.

Students from anywhere in the world are invited to submit an essay or thesis chapter about any aspect of the Spanish Civil War, the global political or cultural struggles against fascism in 1920s and 1930s, or the lifetime histories and [...] More

Allegheny Mountain Section Air & Waste Management Assn. Scholarships
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
The Allegheny Mountain Section Air & Waste Management Association awards undergraduate scholarship(s) for students pursuing an environmental career, including a career in Environmental Science, Engineering, or Law at an academic level beyond baccalaureate work. Awards are based on academic record, plan of study, career goals, recommendations and extra-curricular activities without consideration [...] More

Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships
Application Deadlines: September 01, Annually
Each year, two Anheuser-Busch National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships of $7,500 are awarded to law students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential to serve the Asian Pacific American community. Only a student enrolled as a law degree candidate in an accredited law school in the United States at least half-time as determined by [...] More

Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
The purpose of the association is to develop the professionalism of the members by furthering their skills and knowledge
in the areas of technical surveillance, law enforcement, and forensic activities through the offering of special training, the inter-agency exchange of ideas and experiences, and assistance in the implementation of new techniques and equipment in the law enforcement community. [...] More

Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 09, Annually
The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) awards a two-year scholarship for cadets of the four-year program (two years in high school and two in college). Students must meet or exceed the following requirements to be eligible:

-A 3.0 (B) average upon completing the two-year high school component
-A 90% attendance rate throughout the high school component
-No Driving [...] More

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Application Deadlines: December 01, Annually
CBYX for Young Professionals is a yearlong fellowship, funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress through the U.S. Department of State. The program annually gives 75 American young professionals the opportunity to study, work, and live with a host in Germany. The CBYX program consists of three phases: two months of German language school; four months of classes in your career field at a [...] More

CPCU-Lawrence "Larry" Frazier Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 31, Annually
The Lincoln Community Foundation manages over 50 scholarship funds. The CPCU-Lawrence “Larry” Frazier Memorial Scholarship is for seniors or graduates of Nebraska high schools. Applicants must have financial need. Preference is given to majors in aviation, insurance or law, Girl/Boy Scouts, and debate participants. Students must be enrolled full-time student at 2 or 4-year college in Nebraska. [...] More

Environmental Law Institute Research Internship
Application Deadlines:
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI), a non-profit research and education center in Washington, DC, seeks individuals to conduct research on natural resource protection and pollution prevention. Interns work directly with staff attorneys, scientists and economists on a variety of projects. Substantive areas of focus include: land use policy, public participation in environmental regulation, [...] More

Eula Mae Jett Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Legal Secretaries, Incorporated offers scholarships to persons desiring a career in the legal field. A career in the "legal field" shall be interpreted and defined as follows: legal secretary; legal assistant (including paralegal); court reporter; and law office administrator. Scholarships are not intended for students planning to enter law school. All applicants must be legal residents of the [...] More

Fontana Transport Inc Scholars Program
Application Deadlines: March 15, Annually
Fontana Transport Inc. is a family owned trucking company based out of Southern California whose owners are passionate about higher education and to be able to help future leaders in their community pursue a higher education degree.

The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college-bound students. Students must be pursuing an [...] More

George A. Strait Minority Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
George A. Strait Minority Scholarships are awarded annually to college graduates with meaningful law library experience who are members of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines, are degree candidates in an accredited library or law school, and who intend to have a career in law librarianship. Applicants must show evidence of financial need. To apply for the George A. [...] More

GRCF Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation administers and awards the following Law Scholarships to students of color (African
American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander).

The Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color currently residing in Michigan (with preference given to West Michigan residents) pursuing a law degree at [...] More

GRCF Peggy (Kommer) Novosad Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career.

To be eligible for the Peggy (Kommer) Novosad Scholarship, students must be residents of Kent County, currently completing or possessing an undergraduate degree from GVSU or MSU and will be pursuing a full-time graduate or [...] More

GRCF Vivian M. Kommer Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career.

To be eligible for the Vivian M. Kommer Scholarship, students must be a senior at West Catholic High School entering undergraduate studies in business or pre-law. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a [...] More

GRCF Warner Norcross & Judd Law School Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation administers and awards the following Law Scholarships to students of color (African
American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander).

The Warner Norcross & Judd Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color pursuing a law degree at any accredited law school in the United States. Applicant must be a current or former resident of [...] More

Indiana Standardbred Association Scholarship
Application Deadlines: June 15, Annually
The ISA exists to promote and increase interest in harness horses and harness racing; to represent and establish cooperation between county, state, and pari-mutuel racetrack operations, breeders, owners, trainers, drivers, and grooms; to sponsor and promote Standardbred racing, breeding, training, and development programs in the State of Indiana; to represent horsemen/women for negotiations with [...] More

ISF National Scholarships
Application Deadlines: March 21, Annually
The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity founded in 2009 whose mission is to address the under-representation of American Muslims in the fields and occupations that influence public opinion and make public policy. Our belief is that fostering education and improving Muslim representation in all walks of life including media and politics will lead to full integration and [...] More

Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship
Application Deadlines: January 31, Annually
The Lint Center for National Security Studies, a non-profit organization created to further the educational development of the next generation of America's Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, today announced the Jim & Anna Hyonjoo Lint National Security Scholarship. The new initiative is the largest scholarship offered by the Center to date and aims to support undergraduate and [...] More

Law Student Assistance Fund
Application Deadlines: June 01, Annually
The Law Student Assistance Fund may assist one or more students from Shelby County, Ohio and the surrounding counties abutting on Shelby County, Ohio in their final (third) year of law school (current second year students approaching third year) by providing assistance to defray the cost of tuition, books and such other expenses incident to attending law school.

Eligibility:
-A permanent [...] More

Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship
Application Deadlines: September 01, Annually
In 2004, the NAPABA Law Foundation established the Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 through the generosity of the law firm of Lim Ruger in Los Angeles.

Only a student enrolled as a law degree candidate in an accredited law school in the U.S. at least half time as determined by the school is eligible for a NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarship. The law school must be accredited [...] More

Lincoln Legal Professionals Association Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 14, Annually
The Lincoln Legal Professionals Association members share a common interest in promoting continuing professionalism in the legal field. The Association is offering a scholarship to a Nebraska high school or college student who wishes to further his or her education in the legal support field at an institution of higher education and who carries a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Upon proof of enrollment, [...] More

Louis-Edward Nicklies Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 28, Annually
The Louis-Edward Nicklies Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate, masters-level and doctoral students enrolled in 12+ credit hours who have graduated from a high school located in Jefferson County, KY.

Eligibility:
-Be a graduate of a public, parochial, or private high school in Jefferson County, KY
-Have an academic record indicating the ability to succeed at the undergraduate/graduate [...] More

LVBA Scholarship for Masters and Juris Doctor Degrees
Application Deadlines:
Founded in May 2011, the Las Vegas Business Academy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational enrichment, professional development, mentoring and financial support of college graduates pursuing a MBA, MHA or JD degree. The LVBA is focused on developing Nevada's next generation of exceptional business leaders through a collaboration with UNLV and influential industry leaders.

The [...] More

Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Award
Application Deadlines: June 01, Annually
The scholarship is awarded to minority nominees who have demonstrated a need and a willingness to continue an educational mission toward a college education or graduate training related to a career in the criminal justice field. An ACA member must recommend nominations to the ACA Committee on Correctional Awards. Members, patrons and friends are invited to annually contribute to the fund for this [...] More

Maryland Graduate and Professional School Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
To apply for this program, you must be a Maryland resident and demonstrate financial need. You must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student, either part-time or full-time, and attend one of the following schools: University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, or Social Work; University of Baltimore School of Law; The Johns Hopkins University School of [...] More

Media Fellows Program
Application Deadlines: July 14, Annually
With the Media Fellows Program, the Washington Media Scholars Foundation recognizes enthusiastic and qualified students by awarding several scholarships each academic year. In the upcoming academic year, the foundation will distribute over $40,000 in total scholarship awards.

These grants support the academic development of undergraduates dedicated to pursuing a career related to the public [...] More

Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Scholarship
Application Deadlines: May 20, Annually
The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is awarding scholarships to outstanding Middle Tennessee students pursuing a degree in business, criminal justice, information technology, or a law-related major. One scholarship in the amount of $1,500 and five (5) scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded.

Application process:
-Complete the scholarship [...] More

National Louis University D214 Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
In preparation for the inaugural Harrison Pathways Program class at the Wheeling, IL campus, National Louis University is pleased to offer two full tuition scholarships to District 214 students. The Harrison Pathways Program is designed to be a flexible and affordable program that can lead to any of NLU's undergraduate degrees including Applied Communication, Business Administration, Human [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
Founded in 1949, the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state. Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 a year, and scholarships are renewable for four (4) [...] More

North Carolina Sheriffs Association Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
The Sheriffs of North Carolina feel that the scholarship program sponsored by their Association will assist prospective personnel for Sheriff's Offices as well as other law enforcement agencies across the state.

Eligibility: Twelve scholarships are offered each year to full-time North Carolina resident undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice, one for each UNC constituent [...] More

Otto M. Stanfield Law Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 15, Annually
The Stanfield Scholarships Program is funded by a trust created by Mrs. Marion Barr Stanfield for Unitarian Universalists studying the fields of art and law. The Otto M. Stanfield Law Scholarship is available to Unitarian Universalist students entering or attending law school at the graduate level. Pre-law or political science majors are not eligible. Applicants much have an active relationship [...] More

P.J.C. Lindfors Legal Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
Finlandia Foundation National (FFN), the premier network of Finnish-American organizations in the United States, is accepting applications for its P.J.C. Lindfors Legal Scholarship.

Finnish and American law students are eligible for an award from the P.J.C. Lindfors Legal Studies Fund administered by the FFN. Pertti Lindfors, a Finnish-American attorney in San Francisco, California, [...] More

Post-Graduate Fellowships for 3Ls
Application Deadlines:
Many graduates embark on their careers by obtaining a post-graduate fellowship. Organizations offer fellowships in a national competitive process, and our students and alumni have always done terrifically, as demonstrated by the list of the Recent Fellowship Recipients. Additionally, NYU Law offers some fellowships that are designated only for its graduates.

For more information and to apply, [...] More

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 05, Annually
Through the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship, the ACFE Foundation supports the education of students who have an interest in pursuing a career in fraud examination. The scholarship provides an opportunity for students to advance their education and anti-fraud career paths. Many of these outstanding and deserving students go on to become Certified Fraud [...] More

SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
College is expensive. SEMA can help. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Scholarship awards range from $2,000-$3,000, with $5,000 going to the top student. Assistance is available for career paths in the automotive industry in:

-Accounting
-Engineering
-Race Car [...] More

Stephen J. Roy Memorial Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: April 01, Annually
This scholarship provides assistance to students with financial need who have resided in, or have substantial ties to, Larimer County and have an interest in the study of law or our system of government, debate or other similar law-related educational activities. Students attending Windsor High School are eligible to apply. Requires an essay submission.

For more information or to apply, please [...] More

Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 01, Annually
The Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship was created in 2007 to honor former ACWA Executive Director Steve Hall upon his retirement. The scholarship is presented annually to a qualified graduate student majoring in law, policy or public administration with a focus or concentration in California water resources.

Eligible students must be attending a public or private graduate or [...] More

Study & Internship Program (SIP) in Germany - UAS7
Application Deadlines: February 15, Annually
Since 2006, the Study & Internship Program (SIP) has enabled highly qualified undergraduates from U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities to experience the German approach to hands-on education at a member of UAS7, a consortium of Germany's top universities of applied sciences. SIP students spend a semester studying at a UAS7 campus and a semester interning. Internships typically last 5-6 [...] More

The California Federation of Republican Women's President Ronald Reagan Scholarship
Application Deadlines: August 15, Annually
The California Federation of Republican Women is offering a scholarship in honor of President Ronald Reagan.

The annual scholarship of $2,000 is being offered to an undergraduate registered Republican woman who is majoring in political science, communications, or directed toward law. The applicant must be a United States citizen who has completed two years of college. The applicant must be a [...] More

The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship
Application Deadlines: February 24, Annually
The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship was established in memory of Police Chief Harold Johnson to provide scholarship support to students who plan on pursuing a career in police work, corrections, or other criminal justice fields. These scholarships are designed to recognize students who demonstrate a passion for public service, academic potential, leadership and financial need. [...] More

The HCBF Scholarship
Application Deadlines: April 29, Annually
The Hudson County Bar Foundation will award scholarships to students who are attending law school or who have been accepted to law school for the coming September term.

The Hudson County Bar Foundation Scholarship Fund is one of the oldest providers of financial assistance to Hudson County law students. Esteemed members and families of the Hudson County legal community have funded these 44 [...] More

The Mimi Deatherage Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines: May 15, Annually
Born and raised in Long Beach, Marion (Mimi) Deatherage practiced law and loved the game of golf. She attended Wilson High School, and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado before attending Southwestern School of Law. After graduation from Southwestern, she joined her father's law office. During the seventeen years she spent practicing [...] More

TKE Educational Foundation Harry J. Donnelly Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: March 15, Annually
Considered the “father” of the TKE Educational Foundation, Harry J. Donnelly was initiated a Teke at Alpha-Kappa Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as Province Hegemon (now Grand Province Advisor), as an advisor to both Alpha-Pi and Nu-Pi Chapters, and as a member of various Fraternity committees. He was honored as a recipient of the Grand Prytanis Award in 1959, the Order of [...] More

Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines: July 31, Annually
The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc, a non-profit charity, focused on supporting the educational pursuits of the next generation of America's Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, today unveiled the Virginia and Frank Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship which aims to identify, support, and mentor an emerging leader focused on Alliance Building, Counterintelligence, and [...] More

Wayne V. Black Scholarship
Application Deadlines: January 29, Annually
In 2006, the Board of Directors of the Energy Telecommunications & Electrical Association established the Wayne V. Black Scholarship Award. It was with great sadness that in the fall of 2011, ENTELEC mourned the loss of Mr. Black. The scholarship has been renamed the "Wayne V. Black Memorial Scholarship Award".

In recognition of his many years of service on behalf of ENTELEC, the Board of [...] More