Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top 25 Law School Scholarships in February 2023
Law school, like many other professional degrees, is known for being extremely expensive, but potentially lucrative. Lawyers are among the highest paid professionals. However, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the average law student will graduate with over $140,000 of debt. This is where law school scholarships can come into play and help you pay for your J.D.!
Keep on reading to learn about how you can start your career in the legal profession while cutting down on student debt!
Jump ahead to…
- Top scholarships for law school students
- School-specific law scholarships
- Other scholarships for law school students
- How to win law school merit scholarships
- Resources for law school students
- Frequently asked questions
- Explore these additional scholarship categories
Top 25 Law School Scholarships in February 2023
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
Scholarships360 Exclusive
Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Sponsored
Easy scholarship open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
$25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Sponsored
Open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
Offered by Rhode Island Bar Association
Open to Rhode Island residents who will be entering their first year of law school in the upcoming Fall semester.
Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
Offered by Legal Defense Fund
Open to current and incoming undergraduate students who have financial need.
Earl Warren Scholarship
Offered by Legal Defense Fund
Open to first- and second-year students attending accredited law schools in the United States and who are committed to racial justice.
When There Are Nine (WTAN) Scholarship
Offered by AccessLex Institute
Open to women who are current or incoming students in an ABA-accredited J.D. program with a graduation date within the next four years.
Georges Lurcy Fellowships
Offered by Georges Lurcy Charitable and Educational Trust
Open to French students enrolled in American universities to pursue degrees or conduct research at the doctoral level.
Casey Family Services Alumni Scholarship
Offered by Foster Care To Success
Open to university-bound youth and adults who were in foster care through Casey Family Services in select states.
“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship
Scholarships360 Exclusive
Open to all postsecondary students, regardless of the type of training/education they are pursuing.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Jan 31, 2024$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship Program
Offered by The Kosciuszko Foundation
Open to graduate students of Polish descent studying in the U.S. or at schools of medicine in Poland.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Jan 31, 2024AABA Law Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area
Open to all current law students, but preference is given to first and second-year law students at a San Francisco Bay Area school.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Jan 20, 2024Elite Lawyer Scholarship
Offered by Elite Lawyer
Open to college and graduate students who make a difference in their communities.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Jan 19, 2024Pride Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Pride Foundation
Open to people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, or otherwise underrepresented students who are pursuing post-secondary education.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Jan 6, 2024Selected Professions Fellowship
Offered by American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Open to women who are pursuing master's degrees in professions where women are underrepresented, including Business, Law, and STEM fields.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Dec 1, 2023Don H. Liu Scholars Program Scholarship
Offered by Don H. Liu Scholars Program
Open to Asian or Pacific Islander students enrolled full-time as a 1L in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Nov 30, 2023Carole Bailey Scholarship
Offered by AccessLex Institute
Open to ABA-accredited law school students who are interested in a public service-oriented legal career.
This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications.
Sep 15, 2023$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
Sponsored
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school students.
Niche $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.
- 1
- 2
-
Next
School-specific law scholarships
- Santa Clara Law School Dean’s Fellow Scholarship – Provides up to full tuition for a student. Automatically considered upon submission of application
- University of Minnesota Law Scholarships – Awards up to full tuition for incoming students
- University of Chicago David M. Rubenstein Scholarship – Provides up to 60 full-tuition scholarships at U Chicago per year
- University of Virginia Karsh-Dillard Scholarship – Awards up to full tuition for University of Virginia law students
- Boston University School of Law Dean’s Scholarship – Awards full tuition scholarships for a select number of students
- Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz Merit Scholarship – Full tuition plus $2,500 annual stipend for select law students
- Scalia Law Scholars Early Decision Program – Students who commit to George Mason’s Scalia School of Law with Early Decision may be eligible for a full-tuition scholarship
- University of Arizona Techlaw Fellowship – Law students with a STEM background can receive full tuition plus a stipend at University of Arizona
- University of Colorado Boulder Law Scholarships – University of Colorado Boulder offers many scholarships for incoming students, and full-ride scholarships for continuing students who show promise
Other scholarships for J.D. candidates
The above scholarships are all specific for J.D. candidates, but there are other scholarships that are for graduate students in general. These graduate school scholarships are definitely worth checking out as you search for new scholarship opportunities. You can also check out our general guide to graduate school financial aid options.
How to win law school merit scholarships
As we mentioned, the majority of scholarships for law school students will be awarded by individual law schools. Here are some tips to ensure that you will be in the running for merit scholarship opportunities.
Focus on your essay
As with any type of scholarship, writing a strong essay will greatly increase your chances of winning a scholarship for law school. Keep in mind that scholarship committees often read thousands of applications, so it’s important to craft a compelling essay that makes an impression. Whether you are interested in focusing your legal studies on racial justice, public service, or corporate law, make a compelling case as to why you were drawn to this subject and why you will perform well.
Fortunately, we have a host of resources designed to help you write the best essay possible. These include guides on how to write a winning essay, how to write an essay about yourself, how to start and end your essay, and how to write a 250 or 500 word essay. The essay is one of the most important parts of the application, so be sure to give it the time and effort it deserves!
Prep for your LSAT
The LSAT is the entrance exam that law schools use in the United States. In both the law school admissions and scholarship process, the LSAT carries a lot of weight. For context, the top score possible on the LSAT is a 180.
As you are thinking about law school, you will absolutely want to spend time prepping for the LSAT and may even want to take a prep course to ensure that you are ready.
Pick the right law schools
Not all law schools award a large number of scholarships, Therefore, it is important for you to pick the right law schools that award a high percentage of students with aid. These law schools award strong financial aid packages ranging from partial scholarships to full tuition to awards that are above and beyond full tuition.
Our advice is to identify law schools where your LSAT score is about the published 75th percentile at the law school. This will give you a good idea of the schools where you are a strong candidate for merit scholarships.
You should also take a close look at the post-graduate earnings and job placement for alumni of the law school. This will help you assess how this particular JD program might pay off for you. Remember, salaries for lawyers are not alike. The average corporate lawyer is going to be taking home a much bigger paycheck than a public defender. Keep this in mind when assessing data points around starting salaries.
Don’t forget about need-based aid
Merit scholarships are only part of the equation of paying for law school. The other part of the equation is need based financial aid, which includes need based grants and student loans. This is why we recommend that every law school student applies for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.
This will allow you to access federal student loans, which have more favorable terms and repayment options, as well as other types of aid like Pell Grants.
Take advantage of in-state tuition
There are over 80 public law schools that are approved by the American Bar Association, so chances are that one of your state universities has a law school.
One of the great things about public universities is that they offer discounted tuition for residents of their state! Take a look at some of these examples to see how residents save money:
| 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 |
Tuition rates are for the 2020-2021 academic year
In-state tuition for residents represents a large tuition discount at many colleges and universities, so this is something that you should absolutely consider.
Some states will also have tuition reciprocity agreements, so you may be able to qualify for in-state tuition as an out-of-state student.
Resources for law school students
Law school can be tough, but there are a lot of folks out there who want to help you succeed! Check out the following organizations dedicated to supporting law students:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
This non-profit organization is best known for administering the LSAT, but LSAC also provides services to support aspiring law school students. For example, the organization offers free LSAT test prep in partnership with Khan Academy. LSAC provides other free resources such as helpful checklists for applying to law school, guides on how to choose the right program, and webinar series on navigating the law school admissions process.
American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers and law students in the world. On their website, the organization has a helpful page dedicated to free resources for law students and law schools. These include articles on how to make it through law school and succeed as a lawyer, podcasts hosted by professional lawyers, and more!
Law School Toolbox
This website is loaded with useful tools to help students navigate their law school journey. These include everything from podcasts and written guides to workshops, tutoring, and personalized career help. The best part is that a lot of these resources are free!
Frequently asked questions about law school scholarships
How hard is it to get a law school scholarship?
It is not uncommon for law schools to offer scholarships; as of 2019, 73.3% of law students were receiving some form of financial aid. However, this doesn’t mean it’s easy to earn financial aid for law school. You’ll have to seek out opportunities and apply for them.
Oftentimes, law schools offer scholarships in the form of fellowships. Many law students work for a law firm, NGO, or land a graduate assistantship during their education. This makes law school more affordable while providing students with valuable work experience.
You can also apply for private scholarships such as the ones on this list. Another great resource is our scholarship search tool. You can use this tool to receive custom-matched scholarship opportunities that automatically update as deadlines pass and open. This way, you’ll never miss out on a potential scholarship!
When should you apply for law school scholarships?
It’s never too early or too late to apply for law school scholarships! If you are considering going straight into law school from undergrad, you can start looking at opportunities during summer before your senior year. This way, you can scope out opportunities to apply to throughout the year and start working on your essays.
But once the year starts, don’t stop applying! New opportunities open all the time, so to maximize your scholarship funds, you should check back periodically for new ones.
Does FAFSA pay for law school?
If you are applying for financial aid in law school, you will have to fill out the FAFSA. Law school students are eligible through federal student loans through the FAFSA. However, they are not eligible for Pell Grants. So, while the FAFSA is useful for applying for law school, it will not earn you direct federal funds. Your FAFSA will qualify you for institutional aid and for student loans.
How common is it to get a full ride for law school?
In general, full rides are highly uncommon in education. However, there are a few ways that students can get a full ride law school scholarship if they play their cards right. One of the best ways is to get an employer to pay for you. You can look into tuition reimbursement as an option, for example. Other law schools offer students many opportunities to earn money, whether it is through graduate assistantships or other paid opportunities.
Some law firms also partner with universities to pay for students’ education. For example, at Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law, two law firms offer diversity fellowships.
Can you get a Pell Grant to pay for law school?
You cannot use a Pell Grant to pay for law school. Only undergraduate students are eligible for Pell Grants. However, many institutions offer grants for potential students. You should reach out to any law school you are interested in to see whether they offer specific grants.
Related: How to become a paralegal
What LSAT score gets scholarships?
The best way to get a scholarship with your LSAT score is to apply to schools where your score falls in the top 25th percentile of admitted students. This will make the school more likely to offer you a scholarship to attract you there.
But remember, law schools offer scholarships for many reasons besides the LSAT. They also offer many diversity scholarships and base some awards on financial need. Some set aside scholarships for students planning to get into civil rights or public interest law.
