| Summary |
This 2025 guide to law school scholarships and grants covers national awards, fellowships, and school-funded programs, along with tips for securing funding. By starting early, tailoring applications, and applying broadly, aspiring law students can significantly reduce tuition costs and graduate with less debt.
| Questions Answered in This Article |
- What types of scholarships and grants are available for law students in 2025?
Law students can apply for merit-based, need-based, diversity, practice area–specific, public service, institutional, and private organization scholarships and grants, each with unique eligibility requirements.
- What are some of the top national law school scholarships in 2025?
Leading awards include the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship, NAACP Earl Warren Scholarship, Sidley Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship, ArentFox Schiff Diversity Scholarship, and the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.
- Which fellowships and grants should law students consider?
Top options include the Equal Justice Works Fellowship, Skadden Fellowship, Justice Catalyst Fellowship, Soros Justice Fellowship, and Berkeley Law Public Interest Fellowships.
- Do law schools offer their own scholarships?
Yes, many law schools provide substantial institutional scholarships, such as NYU’s Root-Tilden-Kern Scholarship, Harvard’s Public Service Venture Fund, UCLA’s Achievement Fellowship, Michigan Law’s Dean’s Public Service Fellowships, and Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program.
- How can students increase their chances of winning scholarships and grants?
Start early, tailor applications to each award, secure strong recommendations, stay organized with deadlines, and apply to multiple opportunities to maximize chances of success.
Law school costs continue to rise, with tuition at top programs exceeding $70,000 per year. For aspiring attorneys, securing scholarships and grants can mean the difference between graduating debt-free and carrying six figures of loans. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants don’t have to be repaid—making them the most valuable forms of financial aid available.
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Types of Law School Scholarships and Grants
When funding your legal education, understanding the different types of scholarships and grants can help you target the opportunities that best fit your profile. Each category has its own eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application process.
- Merit-Based Scholarships – Awarded to students with exceptional academic performance, high LSAT scores, leadership experience, or significant achievements. These are highly competitive and often renewable if you maintain a strong GPA.
- Need-Based Scholarships – Granted based on your financial situation, usually determined through the FAFSA, CSS Profile, or school-specific financial aid forms. They aim to reduce the burden on students from lower-income backgrounds.
- Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships – Designed to support underrepresented groups in the legal profession, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation college graduates, and students with disabilities.
- Practice Area-Specific Scholarships – Targeted toward students committed to specific legal fields such as environmental law, criminal defense, human rights, or intellectual property. Often funded by law firms, nonprofits, or professional associations.
- Public Service and Public Interest Scholarships – Awarded to students planning to work in government, nonprofits, or advocacy organizations. Many include stipends, tuition coverage, or loan repayment assistance.
- Institutional Grants – Offered directly by law schools to admitted students. These can be based on merit, need, or a combination of both, and may cover partial or full tuition.
- Private Organization Scholarships – Provided by bar associations, foundations, law firms, or community organizations. These often require a separate application process and may have unique eligibility criteria.
Pro Tip: Apply for a mix of scholarship types to maximize your funding potential and reduce your reliance on student loans.
Top National Law School Scholarships for 2025
National law school scholarships are among the most competitive and prestigious awards available. They often come with generous funding, strong networking opportunities, and recognition that can boost your legal career from day one. Here are some of the top programs to consider in 2025:
1. American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Opportunity Scholarship
- Award: $15,000 over three years
- Eligibility: Open to first-year law students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- Highlights: In addition to financial aid, recipients gain access to ABA resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities with leaders in the legal field.
- Deadline: March 2025
2. NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s Earl Warren Scholarship
- Award: $10,000 annually for up to three years
- Eligibility: Students with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice and civil rights law.
- Highlights: Provides mentorship, internship opportunities, and access to a network of civil rights attorneys.
3. Sidley Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship
- Award: $30,000 plus a summer associate position at Sidley Austin LLP.
- Eligibility: Diverse 2L students who will join the firm’s Summer Associate Program.
- Highlights: Offers direct law firm experience and mentorship from senior attorneys, increasing the likelihood of securing a post-graduation offer.
4. ArentFox Schiff Diversity Scholarship
- Award: $20,000 plus a summer associate position.
- Eligibility: First-year law students from diverse backgrounds with strong academic performance and leadership skills.
- Highlights: Combines financial support with practical legal experience in a major law firm environment.
5. Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- Award: Up to $90,000 in total funding over two years.
- Eligibility: Immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate studies, including JDs.
- Highlights: Offers flexibility in how funds are used and connects fellows with a prestigious alumni network across professions.
Pro Tip: Many of these scholarships also serve as pipelines to internships, clerkships, and full-time roles—making them valuable beyond the financial award. Apply early and tailor your application to each program’s mission.
Top Law School Grants and Fellowships
1. Equal Justice Works Fellowship
- Funding: Full salary and benefits for two years, plus loan repayment assistance in some cases.
- Eligibility: Law graduates committed to social justice and public interest work. Applicants must partner with a nonprofit host organization and propose a legal project addressing an unmet community need.
- Highlights: Fellows gain hands-on legal experience while tackling pressing issues like housing, immigration, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform.
2. Skadden Fellowship Foundation
- Funding: Full salary for two years, funded by the fellowship, to work at a public interest organization.
- Eligibility: Recent law graduates or judicial clerks with a strong commitment to public service. Applicants design their own project in collaboration with a qualified host organization.
- Highlights: Known as the “legal Peace Corps,” this fellowship is one of the most prestigious public interest awards and often leads to long-term public interest careers.
3. Justice Catalyst Fellowship
- Funding: $50,000–$60,000 annually, plus benefits, for one year (often renewable).
- Eligibility: Law graduates or early-career attorneys proposing innovative legal strategies to address systemic injustice.
- Highlights: Focuses on groundbreaking legal projects that create meaningful, long-term change in areas such as consumer rights, labor law, and technology/privacy rights.
4. Soros Justice Fellowship
- Funding: Up to $120,000 over 12–18 months.
- Eligibility: Open to lawyers, advocates, researchers, and journalists working to advance criminal justice reform.
- Highlights: Fellows work on projects aimed at ending mass incarceration, reforming policing, or promoting alternatives to punitive systems.
5. Berkeley Law Public Interest Fellowships
- Funding: Varies, often includes stipends for summer and post-graduate public interest work.
- Eligibility: UC Berkeley law students and graduates dedicated to public interest careers.
- Highlights: Offers funding for hands-on legal experience in nonprofit organizations and public agencies, plus access to Berkeley Law’s public interest alumni network.
Pro Tip: These fellowships are competitive and often require you to design a unique, impactful project. Start networking with potential host organizations early—ideally during your 2L year—to strengthen your proposal and increase your chances of selection.
Scholarships Offered by Law Schools
In addition to national awards and private funding, many law schools offer institutional scholarships to attract top students and support those with financial need. These scholarships can be some of the most generous funding opportunities available—often covering full tuition and, in some cases, providing stipends for living expenses or summer work.
Types of Law School–Funded Scholarships
- Merit-Based Scholarships – Awarded to students with exceptional academic records, high LSAT scores, leadership achievements, or unique professional backgrounds.
- Need-Based Scholarships – Granted to students whose financial circumstances would otherwise make attending law school difficult.
- Named/Endowed Scholarships – Funded by alumni, law firms, or donors, often with specific eligibility criteria such as a focus on a certain practice area or commitment to public service.
- Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships – Intended to increase representation of underrepresented groups in the legal profession, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation college graduates, and students with disabilities.
Examples of Prestigious Law School Scholarships
1. NYU Law Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarships
- Award: Full tuition for three years
- Eligibility: Students with exceptional academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to public service
- Highlights: Includes leadership development programming, public interest networking events, and guaranteed summer funding for public interest work.
2. Harvard Law School Public Service Venture Fund
- Award: Up to $100,000 in funding for graduates launching public service organizations or joining small nonprofits
- Eligibility: Graduates committed to long-term public interest careers
- Highlights: Combines financial support with mentorship in developing sustainable legal service models.
3. UCLA Law Achievement Fellowship Program
- Award: Full tuition for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds
- Eligibility: Admitted students who have shown resilience and academic excellence despite obstacles
- Highlights: Aims to promote diversity in the legal profession and includes mentorship opportunities with alumni.
4. University of Michigan Law Dean’s Public Service Fellowships
- Award: Partial to full tuition scholarships for students committed to public interest or government service
- Eligibility: Demonstrated dedication to service-based legal careers
- Highlights: May include summer employment funding and access to Michigan Law’s public service alumni network.
5. Stanford Law School Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
- Award: Full funding for tuition, living expenses, and travel for up to three years
- Eligibility: Students demonstrating leadership potential, interdisciplinary interest, and a commitment to positive global impact
- Highlights: Provides cross-disciplinary training, leadership development, and networking with other Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
Pro Tip: Unlike many external scholarships, law school–funded awards are often considered during the admissions process. Applying early, submitting a strong personal statement, and highlighting unique strengths can increase your chances of being offered substantial institutional funding.
Tips for Winning Scholarships and Grants in 2025
Securing funding for law school requires planning, persistence, and a strategic approach.
- Start Early – Many scholarships have deadlines before law school acceptance letters arrive. Begin researching and preparing applications months in advance.
- Tailor Every Application – Customize your essays and statements to align with each program’s mission and values.
- Leverage Recommendations – Ask professors, employers, or mentors who know your strengths to write detailed, enthusiastic letters.
- Stay Organized – Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines, requirements, and submitted applications to avoid missed opportunities.
- Apply Broadly – Don’t rely on one or two awards—submit applications to multiple scholarships and grants to maximize your chances.
Pro Tip: Treat each application like a job interview—showcase your achievements, passion, and fit for the award’s purpose.
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Final Thoughts
Law school scholarships and grants in 2025 offer an incredible opportunity to reduce or even eliminate tuition costs. By researching thoroughly, applying strategically, and starting early, you can secure funding that allows you to focus on your legal education—without the burden of overwhelming debt.
