Law School & Legal Studies Scholarships

Rising law students entering their first or second year of full-time study at an accredited U.S. law school who demonstrate commitment to racial justice may apply for the Earl Warren Scholarship from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Scholars receive $15,000 per year for up to three years, provided they remain in good academic standing and meet scholarship criteria. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit a completed FAFSA with the application. Include two recommendation letters with the application. Final decisions are made in mid-August or early September. The scholarship is named for Chief Justice Earl Warren, whose court helped end school segregation.

Diverse J.D. students at accredited New York-area law schools (including Connecticut and New Jersey) in good academic standing who intend to practice intellectual property law full time may apply. Two awards of $10,000 each may be granted at the foundation's discretion. Funds are for tuition and law school-related expenses. Submit a professional resume, official transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and a 300-word maximum essay on your interest in intellectual property law and how the scholarship would support your education and career. Recipients are invited to the New York Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting Awards Dinner.

Undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds who are seriously considering careers in law, legal policy, or social science may apply for the American Bar Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) in Chicago. Up to five fellows receive a $6,000 stipend for an eight-week summer program. Fellows work one-on-one with ABF research faculty on sociolegal projects, attend weekly seminars, and visit law firms, courts, and social justice organizations. U.S. citizens or permanent residents are preferred. Submit a transcript, resume, two faculty recommendations, a personal statement, and the online application. Founded in 1988, SURF promotes broader inclusion in the legal profession.

Graduate students enrolled in an accredited master's, doctoral, or law program in the U.S. or Canada may apply to conduct original research on community associations and common-interest communities. Stipends range from $3,000 to up to $5,000 over one year. Applicants must remain enrolled through the research period. Submit a research proposal through the Foundation for Community Association Research application. Students from any discipline may apply if their proposed project relates to community associations. The fellowship supports research that informs homeowners, board members, managers, and others who live and work in community associations.

J.D. students currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. law school may apply for Answering Legal's Future Attorneys of America Merit Scholarship. Accepted incoming 1L students are also eligible with proof of matriculation and a minimum 3.5 GPA. One recipient receives a $5,000 award annually. The scholarship recognizes outstanding law students who demonstrate academic excellence and merit in the legal field. Submit a completed application, an unofficial law school transcript (or undergraduate transcript for rising 1Ls), and a 500- to 1,000-word essay.

High school seniors graduating from West Catholic High School who will enroll full time in undergraduate studies in business or law may apply. Awards are up to $5,000. Apply through the GRCF unified scholarship application, which opens December 1 and closes March 1.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. law school may apply for Emery Reddy's $2,000 Legal Studies Scholarship. One law school student receives the award. Winners are announced in late January and must provide proof of enrollment. Submit an original 400 to 600 word essay on what compelled you to become a lawyer and your legal career goals. Emery Reddy offers the scholarship to support students pursuing legal education.

Graduate students and seminarians studying theology, philosophy, history, law, politics, economics, or related fields whose academic work shows potential to advance understanding of theology and free society principles may apply for Calihan Academic Grants from the Acton Institute. Grants of up to $1,000 support research or conference travel. Applications are reviewed quarterly. The Acton Institute supports future leaders exploring the relationship between human dignity, virtue, and free markets.

Veterans with an honorable discharge or current members of the U.S. military who are admitted to an accredited law school for the upcoming academic year may apply for the Colonel Archer B. Battista Veterans Scholarship from the Hampden County Bar Association. Awards are merit and need based, with scholarships of at least $1,000. The number of recipients varies each cycle. Applications are accepted twice per year with deadlines on July 1 and November 1. Colonel Battista practiced law in Massachusetts after military service and was a longtime leader of the Hampden County Bar Association.

Current graduating seniors or former graduates of a Nebraska high school pursuing full-time undergraduate study at a Nebraska two- or four-year college may apply for the CPCU-Lawrence "Larry" Frazier Memorial Scholarship through the Lincoln Community Foundation. One award of $800 is granted annually. Preference goes to candidates interested in aviation, insurance, or law, and those with debate or Scouting experience. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic success, and personal contribution toward education costs.