Scholarships

Top law school scholarships

Find scholarships for law students that can help you pay for college.

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Law school scholarships

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Diversity Law Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required
$20,000
Apply now

Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required
Varies
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Chief Justice Ralph J. Cappy Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$15,000
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Agnes L. Devlin Memorial - A. Louis Denton Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
Apply now

Charles Timothy Stoner Law Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$1,000
Apply now

Arent Fox Diversity Scholarships

Due: 2/28/26 No min. GPA Required
$25,000
Apply now

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dean's Law School Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
Apply now

Wizeprep Pre-Law Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$2,000
Apply now

LMU Law Scholarship Guarantee

Due: 7/1/25 No essay No min. GPA Required
Varies
Apply now

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Key takeaways about law school scholarships

  • Law school scholarships are free money to help cover the cost of your education—and you don’t have to pay them back.

  • You don’t need perfect stats to qualify. Many scholarships focus on service, identity, leadership, or career goals.

  • Stacking scholarships helps—winning multiple smaller awards can help cover books, fees, and living costs.

  • Consistency beats perfection. Applying regularly gives you better odds than waiting for one “big” scholarship.

  • Use the right tools—like Scholly Scholarships and Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships—to save time searching and applying for scholarships.

Law school is a major investment, but there are ways to pay less out of pocket. Law school scholarships can help lower your total costs, reduce what you need to borrow, and give you more flexibility as you plan your legal career.

If you’re wondering what scholarships are available for law school, options include merit-based awards, need-based scholarships, public interest funding, and identity-based opportunities.

What are law school scholarships?

Law school scholarships are financial awards that help pay for the cost of earning a law degree. These scholarships can come from law schools, nonprofits, professional organizations, employers, and community groups. Unlike loans, scholarships are free money—you don’t pay them back.

Some scholarships are created specifically for JD students, while others are open to graduate students in general and can still be used for law school, depending on the eligibility rules.

Why scholarships matter for law students

Scholarships can significantly reduce the overall cost of law school, including tuition, fees, books, and sometimes living expenses. Every dollar covered by a scholarship is one less dollar you may need to spend, or borrow with interest.

They can also give you more freedom when it comes to career choices. If you’re interested in public interest law, government work, or clerkships, scholarships can help you pursue opportunities based on passion and fit—not just salary.

How to qualify for law school scholarships

Each scholarship has its own requirements, but most fall into a few common categories. The good news? You don’t need to check every box to qualify for meaningful opportunities.

Common eligibility factors include:

  • Academic achievement: GPA, LSAT score, class rank, or academic progress in law school

  • Leadership and involvement: Student organizations, advocacy work, volunteering, or community service

  • Identity-based awards: Scholarships for first-generation students, women, LGBTQ+ students, and other underrepresented groups

  • Career goals: Awards tied to public interest law, specific practice areas, or long-term service commitments

  • Financial need: Some scholarships consider your financial situation—these usually require you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). If you need help filing, use Sallie’s step-by-step FAFSA® Guide.

Even if you think you’re not competitive enough, it’s still worth applying. Many scholarships are designed for real students balancing school, work, and life—not just top-ranked applicants.

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Top scholarships for law school majors

The best law school scholarships are the ones you’re eligible for and can realistically apply to. Instead of chasing one perfect award, focus on stacking multiple opportunities that fit your background and goals.

Law school merit scholarships

Many law schools offer merit-based scholarships as part of the admissions process. These awards are often based on academic performance, LSAT scores, or leadership experience. Some are automatically considered when you apply, while others require a separate application.

Need-based and FAFSA®-related scholarships

Some law school scholarships take financial need into account. Filing the FAFSA® can help you qualify for these awards and may also be required for school-based financial aid decisions.

Public interest and service scholarships

If you’re planning to work in public service, government, or advocacy-focused roles, look for scholarships tied to community impact, service commitments, or social justice work.

Diversity and identity-based scholarships

Many organizations support future lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds. These scholarships may focus on identity, lived experience, or leadership within a community—and sometimes include mentorship or networking opportunities.

Local and state scholarships

Local scholarships often have smaller applicant pools and can still make a meaningful difference. City, county, and state-based awards are worth checking, especially if you plan to attend law school in your home state.

Want a faster way to find and apply to your matches? Try Scholly Scholarships and Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships.

How to apply for law school scholarships

Applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A simple, repeatable system can go a long way.

  1. Create a short list. Start with 10–15 scholarships that align with your background and goals.

  2. Track deadlines. Use a calendar or spreadsheet to stay organized.

  3. Reuse application materials. Adapt a core personal statement instead of starting from scratch every time.

  4. Ask for recommendations early. Give your recommenders plenty of notice and share your goals with them.

  5. Submit and follow up. Save confirmations and keep copies of everything you submit.

If you want a quick place to start, apply for our $2,000 No Essay Scholarship. It's a great way to start building momentum!

Additional resources for law students

Finding the right scholarships is easier when you know where to look. These resources can help you discover opportunities by major, background, and stage of education.

Still deciding where you want to apply? Explore schools with Scout College Search.

Frequently asked questions

These tips can help as you get ready to apply for law school scholarships.

When are scholarship application deadlines?

There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.

Do you need to know which college you’re attending?

You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.

Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?

Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!

Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.

Does every scholarship application require an essay?

Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.

Need more money for college?

Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.

FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.