Diversity Scholarships for Law Students

Scholarships for Veterans

List of Military Scholarships for Service Members and Spouses

Please visit the individual websites for most up to date information on the various scholarships, complete eligibility requirements, and deadlines if no link is provided. Also recheck with your college or university to Scholarships Search for other available scholarships.

Scholarships for Latinx

La Raza Lawyers Association of the Central Valley — Hon. Mario G. Olmos Memorial Scholarship

Since 1980, La Raza Lawyers Association of Fresno (LRLA) has awarded scholarships to deserving law students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership ability, involvement in the Latino community, financial need, and ties to California’s Central Valley.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Sept. 9, 2022 by 5 p.m.

LULAC National Educational Service Center Scholarship

LULAC offers a variety of scholarships for high school seniors, undergraduate & graduate college students through our educational arm, the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC).
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

MALDEF supports law students who seek to further MALDEF’s mission of advancing the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States. In recent years, MALDEF has annually awarded 5-15 law school scholarships of $2,000 each to deserving law students from throughout the nation.
Eligibility Restrictions: Applicants are evaluated for their academic and extracurricular achievements, for their background and financial need, and, most important, for their demonstrated commitment to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.
Awards: $2,000
Deadline: Varies

Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Award

Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund will award scholarships during its Annual Gala in October. To receive the award, the scholarship recipient must remain in good standing and enrolled full-time at an accredited American Bar Association Law School in New York State, be a resident of the State of New York, or have a confirmed commitment to work in New York State after completing their law school education.
Eligibility Restrictions:
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Middle Eastern Scholarships

AGBU Scholarship Program

AGBU Scholarship Program has championed the higher education of tens of thousands of promising young Armenian university students enrolled at some of the world’s top-ranked universities.
Eligibility Restrictions:
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Armenian Bar Association Scholarships

Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Iranian-American Scholarship Fund

The Iranian-American Scholarship Fund (IASF) provides scholarships to full-time students of Iranian heritage attending undergraduate and graduate schools in the United States. IASF seeks to provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to community service; instill in the applicants a strong sense of pride in the community that supports their academic objectives; and inspire applicants to donate to IASF in the future in order to continue the tradition of assisting deserving candidates.
Eligibility Restrictions: Verifiable Iranian heritage. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent residency with a valid permanent resident card. Applicants must be a Graduate (PhDs not eligible) student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution in the U.S. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

LGBTQ+ Scholarships

BALIF Foundation Scholarships

Eligibility Restrictions: This scholarship is open to people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Horizons Foundation

Horizons is home to a number of scholarships and fellowships supporting the LGBTQ community in higher education and training in the SF Bay Area and beyond. We believe that investing in our community's future leaders will help create the world we envision.
Eligibility Restrictions: This scholarship is open to people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

African American Scholarships

Langston Bar Association

The John M. Langston Bar Association is the largest African-American bar association in Los Angeles. Langston’s mission is to provide a source of networks, support, and mentorship for African-American attorneys. Each year, Langston sponsors various workshops to address the needs of African-American attorneys and provides scholarships to qualified law students and bar grants for law school graduates.
Eligibility Restrictions:
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Wiley Manuel Law Foundation Scholarship

Wiley William Manuel (1927-1981) was the first African American California Supreme Court Justice. Justice Manuel was deeply concerned about the social, economic, and legal problems facing persons of color. The Foundation awards scholarships to Northern California law students who best exemplify the qualities of the late Justice Wiley.
Eligibility Restrictions: The Foundation awards scholarships to Northern California law students who best exemplify the qualities of the late Justice Wiley.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Asian American Scholarships

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley ("APABA Silicon Valley") Charity Foundation is pleased to invite applications for the APABA Silicon Valley Achievement Scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize law students in the greater Bay Area who have: (1) Overcome personal hardships or challenges; (2) Shown excellence and achievement in law school; (3) Demonstrated leadership potential and a history of involvement with student, professional, or civic organizations; and (4) Demonstrated leadership and service to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
Eligibility Restrictions: This scholarship is focused on, but not limited to, helping students who are interested in pursuing public interest legal work (e.g. government work, service to under-represented communities, immigration issues, or human trafficking issues related to the AAPI community).
Awards: Two (2) scholarships of $10,000 each OR up to four (4) scholarships of $5,000 each
Deadline: Varies

The National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association

These scholarships are awarded each fall to law students who demonstrate a commitment to serve the Asian Pacific American community.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Scholarships for Women

Mike Eidson Law Student Scholarship

Each year, the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus awards a $5,000 scholarship to a female student entering her third year of law school (the student can be enrolled in a three-year day program or four-year night program) who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a trial lawyer, along with dedication to upholding and defending the principles of the Constitution, and to the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized. Additionally, the winner receives a registration and travel stipend to attend the AAJ Annual Convention.
Eligibility Restrictions: Applicants must be an AAJ Law Student member, be enrolled in an ABA-approved law school, and a rising 3L (or rising 4L in a night program) female student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a plaintiff lawyer or criminal defense lawyer and a dedication to upholding and defending the principles of the Constitution, and to the concept of a fair trial, the adversary system, and a just result for the injured, the accused, and those whose rights are jeopardized.
Awards: $5,000
Deadline: Varies

Native American Scholarships

Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarships

The Association's Scholarships are provided to students twice per year until they graduate, as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend full-time. Our mission is to support students who are connected to their Tribal Nation and Indian Country and wish to utilize their degree to serve their Nations.
Eligibility Restrictions: Applicants must be enrolled with your respective Tribe, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Tribe, from the continental US or Alaska.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

General Diversity Scholarships

AccessLex

AccessLex specializes in providing free comprehensive educational and financial resources catered specifically to law students.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

American Association for Justice-Richard D. Hailey Law Student Scholarship

These scholarships are open to all first- and second-year African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native American, and Bi-Racial law student members of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). A 500-word essay about how you meet the criteria as well as up to three recommendations from a faculty adviser, trial advocacy professor, dean, AAJ member and/or trial lawyer are required.
Eligibility Restrictions: This scholarship is awarded to a minority Law Student member entering their first, second, or third year of law school. Applicants must exhibit an interest and proficiency in trial advocacy skills.
Awards: $5,000
Deadline: May 1, 2022

Arthur Lockwood Beneventi Law Scholarship

The Arthur Lockwood Beneventi Law Scholarship is a one-time preferred amount $2,000 scholarship awarded to a student who is either enrolled in or attends an accredited law school and has a minimum GPA of 3.25. The scholarship is not automatically renewable; however, recipients may reapply for consideration each year.
Eligibility Restrictions: Applicants must be enrolled in or attend an accredited law school and have a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Awards: $2,000
Deadline: Varies

BARBRI Law Preview-One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship

In partnership with the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Law Preview will be awarding one hard-working incoming law student $10,000 towards their 1L year.
Eligibility Restrictions: Applicants must be an incoming first year student. Applicants must (i) be a member of a racial or ethnic group that has been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, (ii) a member of the LGBTQ community, (iii) differently-abled students or (iii) a woman.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: June 1, 2022

ChapmanAlbin Law Student Scholarship

Eligibility Restrictions: To apply, a U.S. law student must write a 300-500 word essay on a specific topic and meet a few other criteria for consideration.
Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Sacramento Bar Foundation Scholarship

Awards: Varies
Deadline: Varies

Summer Diversity Fellowships For 1L Students

1L LCLD Scholars Program

1L LCLD Scholar candidates must be enrolled as first-year law students and in good standing at an ABA-approved law school. Candidates must apply directly to their desired LCLD Member firms and corporations; each Member organization will independently identify, select, and hire its 1L LCLD Scholar(s).

1L Diversity Scholar Program

Must be a first-year law student (Class of 2024) enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school; and a member of a racial, ethnic, or gender group which has been historically underrepresented in the legal profession, a member of the LGBTQ community, or those with a disability.

ABA Diversity Fellowships

An ABA created a list of diversity scholarships and fellowships.

ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program

This is a full-time, six-week minimum, summer internship program open to all first-or second-year minority and/or financially disadvantaged law students.

Akin Gump 1L Scholar Programs

Applicants must be enrolled and in good standing at an ABA accredited law school, and have an anticipated graduation date of 2024.

Arent Fox LLP 1L Diversity Scholarship

$15,000 scholarship to first-year law students.

BakerHostetler Diversity Fellowship Program

Open to any second-year law student, successful applicants to the program will receive up to a $25,000 award as well as a position in the BakerHostetler summer associate program.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

The Law Department summer internship program at Bristol Myers Squibb offers law students valuable career development opportunities by providing client- and customer-focused assignments under the supervision of various members of their Law Department. Additional information (pdf)

Cooley LLP Diversity Summer Program

Award recipients will receive a paid 1L Summer Associate position and an award of up to $30,000 to assist with law school tuition. The award will be paid in three installments: $10,000 upon completion of the 1L summer with the firm; $10,000 upon completion of the 2L summer with the firm; and the remaining $10,000 upon joining the firm as a full-time associate.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

1L Diversity Scholarship recipient, you will receive a paid position in our Summer Associate Program and $15,000 for your second year tuition and expenses.

Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship

Created to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the field of intellectual property law, the fellowship provides 1L and 2L students with the opportunity to participate in the firm’s summer associate program and $5,000 for law school tuition or other school-related expenses. Recipients who accept full-time positions with Banner Witcoff receive an additional $5,000 financial award.

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

Awards law school student applicants $15,000 per year for tuition and law school fees, as well as an offer to join the firm’s summer associate program.

Fisher and Phillips LCLD 1L Scholars Program

The summer program at Fisher Phillips is designed to give first year students a realistic view of what it is like to practice as a first-year attorney at our firm.

Fish & Richardson P.C. 1L Diversity Fellowship

Fish will award $5,000 to all 1L Diversity Fellowship recipients upon completion of their 1L summer clerkship with the firm; $10,000 to those returning as a 2L summer associate at Fish for the full summer program; and $15,000 to those who join the firm as an associate after law school graduation.

Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law

$10,000 per year law school tuition grant awards awarded to select Scholars.

Fox Rothschild LLP

An award of $15,000, conditioned on the following:

• $7,500 will be awarded after acceptance of a 2L summer associate position; and,
• $7,500 will be awarded after acceptance of an entry-level associate position.

Goodwin Diversity Fellowship

Goodwin 1L Diversity Fellowships provide first-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds with awards of $10,000 each to help cover expenses while working in a public interest law position during the summer after their first year of law school.

Google Legal Summer Institute (LSI)

LSI is a paid opportunity and we request that all participating partner firms pay Scholars the same weekly rate as their other summer associates, for one week at Google and the full summer program with the participating law firm.

Groom Law Group 1L Summer Mentorship Program

Groom Law Group hosts its 1L Summer Mentorship Program for rising 2L law students who are working in DC for the summer.

Just The Beginning — A Pipeline Organization

Interns will have the opportunity to draft bench memoranda, judicial orders, and opinions on a variety of substantive matters, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, magistrate judge reports, and habeas corpus petitions.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP 1L Scholar

Selected 1L law students are invited to join Kirkland attorneys, clients, and alumni for our two-day program.

Latham & Watkins LLP – 1L Diversity Scholars Program

A 10-week program to students who have just finished their first year of law school.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP 1L Diversity Fellowship

$35,000 fellowship stipend made in three payments conditioned on satisfactory completion of the 2L summer and subsequently joining the firm as an entry-level associate.

Perkins Coie — 1L Diversity Scholarship

The fellowships provide students a $15,000 academic scholarship and a paid summer associate position immediately following the completion of their first year of law school.

Sacramento County Bar Association Summer Diversity Fellowship

The Sacramento County Bar Association (“SCBA”) is committed to promoting and increasing diversity in area law firms. The Summer Fellowship Program demonstrates that commitment by providing diverse students an opportunity to work in a law firm between the first and second years of law school.

Vedder Price 1L Diversity Scholarship

$10,000 monetary award for law school-related expenses and a guaranteed summer associate position in their Summer Associate Program after the scholarship recipient’s first year of law school.

Winston & Strawn 1L Diversity Scholarship

Eligible to receive a $25,000 scholarship to offset legal education expenses.

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 1L Diversity Program

Scholarship recipients are awarded up to $40,000 over the course of their participation in the Program, with $30,000 payable over the recipient’s law school career and an additional $10,000 payable upon joining Womble Bond Dickinson as an Entry-Level Associate.

Other Opportunities

ABA Writing Competitions for all students

Must be an ABA Law Student Division member.

Michael Greenberg Writing Competition

Awards $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000. First-place winner will also receive registration, airfare and lodging to attend Lavender Law and publication in the Journal of Law and Sexuality.

LSAC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Writing Competition

This biennial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion writing competition for law students is designed to advance the dialogue about recruitment and retention strategies that can attract a more diverse class of law students, thus bringing attention to LSAC’s goal of increasing diversity in the legal profession.

American Indian Law Review National Writing Competition

A legal article on indigenous people.

The Human Rights Essay Award

A legal article on international human rights law.

ABA Judicial Clerkship Program

This clerkship brings Judges and minority law students together through structured networking activities.

Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair

Are you LGBTQ+ or an ally? The National LGBT Bar Association is hosting its annual Lavender Law® Conference and Career Fair, July 28 to July 30. With more than 1,700 annual attendees and more than 180 recruiters, it is the largest LGBTQ+ legal career fair in the world! This year the conference will host more than 50 programs, including a number geared specially to law students about career planning, student activism, and more. Additionally, top law firms and organizations from across the country will be recruiting students at the Career Fair.