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9 top scholarships for law school
An open and shut case for cutting costs.
A law degree is expensive, but there’s help out there for the cost of tuition, books and more. While most law schools offer scholarships, organizations, businesses and programs offer private scholarships for students studying law at any level. We’ve chosen nine of the best.
How we picked these scholarships
We selected law school scholarships that vary in eligibility requirements and when students can apply during their education. We also looked at a full range of need- and merit-based scholarships. We also paid attention to award amounts and if a scholarship was specific to a particular field or area of study.
Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
- Amount: $15,000
- Deadline: March
The ABA scholarship encourages racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school by providing financial assistance. The scholarship administers $15,000 over three years to 10 to 20 incoming minority students. Students who don’t enroll in law school or who leave school early are required to return all or a portion of their awarded funds.
The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund
- Amount: Cost of tuition + $18,000 annual stipend
- Deadline: January
Dolores Zohrab Liebmann scholarships are awarded to graduate students attending one of the 79 designated and accredited law colleges or universities in the US. The fellowship covers the cost of tuition and provides an annual $18,000 stipend for living expenses, research and publishing costs. Applications are submitted through the dean of the college you plan to attend.
LMJ Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: June
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) LMJ Scholarship is open to women and diverse students accepted full time into an ABA-accredited law school and show financial need. MCCA awards $10,000 to six students in their first year of law school. Students can transfer awards from one college to another.
Law Student Fellowship Program
- Amount: $1,000 to $10,000
- Deadline: June
The Law Student Fellowship program, a project of the National Bar Institute (NBI), provides scholarships to students completing their professional law degrees. Students must have at least two full years of school left and be committed to addressing critical issues in local, underrepresented communities.
The Krist Law Firm, P.C. National Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: March
The Krist Law Firm in Houston, TX offers a $5,000 award for tuition and other education-related expenses to a student studying law. Students don’t need to attend a school in Texas to apply and they must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or faculty member.
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Personal Injury Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: December
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. of Chicago offers scholarships to law students who, through a personal essay, show an appreciation for the field of personal injury law. Students do not have to attend college in Chicago or be a resident of Illinois.
For The People Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: December
Morgan and Morgan Law Firm awards scholarships to law students who are accepted or enrolled in law school and are driven to fight for those in need. Applicants are judged on a 700- to 800-word essay. It requires that you use your funds for tuition and educational expenses while in law school.
Entertainment Law Initiative
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: January
The Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) scholarship, cosponsored by the American Bar Association, promotes future careers in entertainment law. The scholarship program includes the ELI Writing Competition asking students to identify a solution to a legal issue facing the music industry. In addition to the money, winners also receive admission to several entertainment events. Two runners-up will receive $2,500 scholarships.
The Earl Warren Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: May
In honor of Earl Warren, the 14th US Chief Justice and former Governor of California, scholarships of $10,000 annually for three years are awarded to law students committed to racial justice and who intend on pursuing a career as a civil rights or public interest attorney. Students must remain in good academic standing and continue to meet scholarship requirements to be eligible each of the three years.
How else can I pay for school?
Scholarships alone can’t cover the full cost of law school. Before taking out a loan, consider these other ways to pay.
- Check out paid internships. Some scholarship programs for law students offer paid internships while attending school. When applying for a scholarship, ask if there is an opportunity to work in an area related to your major. You’ll gain experience and lower your overall costs.
- Get a federal grant. The federal government, states and many colleges offer grants that don’t have to be paid back. Most grants are awarded based on financial need like the Federal Pell Grant. To apply, submit the FAFSA. Or, ask someone in your school’s financial aid office for information on available college grants.
- Work-study programs. Federal work-study programs allow you to earn as you learn. Work-study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students that show financial need. Work study helps students pay for education-related expenses without missing classes. The FAFSA4caster gives you an estimate of the federal student aid you may be eligible for.
Bottom line
Don’t let the high cost of tuition stop you from attending the school of your choice by comparing scholarships before you apply. Or, find even more ways to pay with our student loan finder.
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