Looking to go back to school for Paralegal, Law, or another Legal program? Will you be in need of financial assistance? Online Paralegal Programs has you covered. Grants and scholarships are available for everyone who chooses to apply for them. Some may be offered through the government while others are given out by the private sector. They can literally come from anywhere including generous benefactors who have left funds in a trust for deserving law students. You will be able to find small to modest scholarships designed to give you a small boost, or you can look for full-ride scholarships that will cover all of your educational expenses. There are also specialized scholarships for students who wish to pursue a specific type of legal degree. The options are out there. All you have to do is look for them.
1. The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
The ACJS provides students with a number of grants and scholarships for law students each year on October 15th. The number of these scholarships for law school students varies and depends on which of the many scholarships and grant awards is being provided to the recipient. Among the various grants awarded include the New Scholar Award, the Academy Fellow, Outstanding Book Award, and Academy Leadership and Innovation award, to name a few. The eligibility for ACJS’s scholarship is contingent upon the exact award a student has an interest in.
The ACJS was established in 1963 on a mission to promote scholarly activities and professional activities for the criminal justice industry and its working professionals. The ACJS was created to develop to provide a forum where ideas can be exchanged and disseminated for issues in criminal justice relating to policy, education, research, and professional practice. The ACJS boasts a membership that nears 2,000 members from every state and many international locations.
2. Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) – The National Criminal Justice Honor Society
Alpha Phi Sigma (APS), which is also known as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, offers a variety of scholarships for law school students, with a deadline for these scholarships for law students of March 1. The value for these various law school students begins at $1,000. Law students can choose from these Individual undergraduate Scholarships – The Leonard Scholarship, The Shearn Scholarship for $2,000 each, or the Military Veteran Scholarship which is $1,000. Additionally, APS offers an award to a student member and a student member’s achievement, among others.
Established in the early-1940s by a Washington State University criminal justice professor and his students, as the Police Science Honorary society, Alpha Phi Sigma, became the National Criminal Justice Honor Society several decades later in 1976. The Alpha Phi Sigma society has more than five hundred chapters and is a member of the ACHS – the Association of College Honor Societies. Alpha Phi Sigma is headquartered in South Florida in Fort Lauderdale.
3. The American Association of Justice (AAJ) – The Mike Eidson Law Student Scholarship
The American Association of Justice (AJJ) offers the Mike Eidson Law Student Scholarship (MELSS), a $5,000 award that was named to honor a previous president of the American Association of Justice. These scholarships for law school students were established by an internal caucus known as the WTLC – The Women Trial Lawyers Caucus and accepts applications for these scholarships for law students between the first of February to its annual deadline of May 1. This scholarship from AAJ is awarded to a female student entering the 3rd year of law school studies with a commitment to following a trial lawyer career.
For the past seven decades, the American Association of Justice has sought to defend each American citizen’s right to a trial by jury by advocating and fighting to protect the civil justice system in America. The three pillars of the American Association of Justice include Advocacy, Education, and Community.
4. The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL)
The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) scholarships are offered each year to help law students reach their professional and educational objectives. The value of AALL’s scholarships for law students varies and depends on the scholarship available and in question. The deadline for the American Association of Law Libraries’ scholarships for law school students is May 1st each year. The categories of college scholarships for law students available by the AALL include a minority scholarship, a continuing education scholarship, plus a few scholarships for students seeking a degree as a law librarian or a degree in legal information, among others.
The AALL – the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) was developed to support the profession of law librarians and the individuals working as librarians across settings. The AALL offers three levels of membership, including a student, an individual, or a retired professional. Total membership in the AALL nears 4,000 members that work in law schools/academia, the government, or a law firm/corporation, to name a few.
5. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
The ACFE – the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) offers the Ritchie/Jennings Memorial Scholarship that honors two of the ACFE members, Larry Jennings and Tracy Ritchie. Students interested in ACFE’s scholarships for law students must be enrolled as full-time students in a four-year higher learning institution that is regionally accredited. The deadline for applying for ACFE’s scholarships for law school students is February 15 each year, and the award includes a student associate membership in ACFE. Award values include $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000.
The ACFE – the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is recognized as the globe’s largest professional organization dedicated to the anti-fraud profession. The ACFE’s objectives are to mitigate fraud and white-collar crime. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners accomplishes these goals by administering the CFE exam and setting high criteria for admission and continuing education.
6. The Brian Terry Foundation (BTF)
The Brian Terry Foundation (BTF) offers one of the premier scholarships for law students available to students who have a significant interest in vying for a degree in criminal justice or a criminal justice-related field. Eligible students for these scholarships for law school students must apply by May 31st each year, be an American Citizen or US legal resident, and be able to demonstrate the values of accountability and justice. The value of BTF’s award equals the annual funding needs for all academic expenses – including living expenses and books/tuition.
The Brian Terry Foundation was created to honor Brian Terry’s life and service, plus his sacrifice as a US agent on border patrol. The BTI seeks to promote a message about justice and the responsibility of accountability at all government levels. To date, the Brian Terry Foundation has awarded nearly 200,000 dollars in scholarship funds to eligible law school students and scholars.
7. Crimcheck – The Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship (MLCJS)
Crimcheck offers the Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship (MLCJS) is offered to students vying for a career in criminal justice with a demonstrated ability to represent the field with excellence. The value of these scholarships for law students and criminal justice majors is $500, but Crimcheck may offer them more than once per year. These scholarships for law school students have an application deadline of August 1. Students must be a senior in high school, recent graduate, or enrolled in a post-secondary school who is studying for a degree in criminal justice.
Crimcheck is a professional company that offers professional employment screening solutions across industries and is PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) accredited – only one of 114 companies in the country to be awarded the honor. Established nearly three decades ago, Crimcheck is now considered among the leading background screening authorities in the nation.
8. Ball State University – Various Scholarships
Ball State University’s Criminal Justice & Criminology Department (BSU CJC) offers a variety of scholarships for law school students to help students pay for their education. These scholarships for law students from Ball State University award differing amounts, depending on the scholarship chosen by the law student. These scholarships for law students include the Heck Scholarship, the Neiman Scholarship, the moor Scholarship, and the Taylor Criminal Justice & Criminology scholarship, among others. The deadline for these Ball State University law school scholarships is March 1st.
Ball State University (Ball State) is a research institution of higher learning located in Muncie, Indiana, that was established more than 100 years ago. Ball State University is home to more than 15,140 students and operates as a space-grant school. The university’s seven colleges/schools offer more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Princeton Review and US News recognize BSU’s online academic degree programs as among the best in the nation.
9. My Alarm Center (MAC)
My Alarm Center offers several $1000 scholarships for law school students or those studying for law enforcement or criminal just degrees. The deadline for these scholarships for law students is July 1st, and the funds must be used towards the student’s college tuition. Eligible students may either be in their first two years of college or graduate high school in the spring of 2021. Students related to a staff or employee of My Alarm Center are ineligible.
Founded in 2000, My Alarm Center offers the industry’s technologically advanced systems insecurity on a national level. My Alarm Center has grown to become one of the premier security system providers in the nation, offering the highest in customer service and professional services. My Alarm Center operates with regional offices in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and four Texas locations.
10. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Law Foundation (NAPABA) – The Sharon and Ivan Leadership (SAIL) Scholarship
The NAPABA offers the Sharon and Ivan Leadership (SAIL) Scholarship to second-year law students who demonstrate a commitment and promise to excellence in leadership and potential. The SAIL scholarships for law school students are valued at $7,500, which is divided between a student’s expenses during their second and third year of law school. The deadline for these NAPABA scholarships for law students is June 30th. Recipients of the SAIL scholarship award must make a commitment to pay it forward as they move through their careers.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Law Foundation (NAPABA) was established in 1994 as a nonprofit organization to serve the communities of Asian Pacific Americans. To date, the NAPABA has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to assist Asian Pacific Americans seeking legal careers and wanting to work in public service to the Asian Pacific American Community.
11. The American Bar Association (ABA) – The Legal Opportunity Scholarship
The American Bar Association (ABA) offers a yearly Legal Opportunity Scholarship to those students entering their first year of law school. The ABA awards ten to twenty scholarships for law school students that are valued at $15,000. These scholarships for law students were developed to encourage minority students to apply for admission to law school. These ABA law student scholarships have an April 17 deadline and are provided to recipients over three years.
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded during the late 1870s in upstate New York. Today, the ABA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and also maintains an office in the nation’s capital. The ABA has nearly 200,000 members. The American Bar Association is recognized by the US Department of Education as a sanctioned accreditation agency and participates in the nomination process in the federal judiciary.
12. The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) – The Lloyd M. Johnson Jr. Scholarship Program
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) began offering the Lloyd M. Johnson Jr. Scholarship (LMJ) Program nearly twenty years ago. These scholarships for law students are available to women & diverse students who have been accepted to a law school accredited by the American Bar Association they will be attending full-time. The deadline for these $10,000 scholarships for law school students is June 1st. Additionally, applicants for MCCCA’s LMJ scholarship must demonstrate leadership qualities and a financial need to qualify.
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) was established in the late-1990s to promote and advance the number of diverse attorneys across the industry. The MCCA recognizes leaders in the legal industry and offers research materials and educational opportunities referencing various diversity and legal topics. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association operates as a nonprofit professional organization.
13. Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP)
The NASEM or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine offers the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP), which was developed to generate skilled attorneys in the area of racial justice who wish to work in the southern portion of the US. MMSP’s scholarships for law students have a deadline of February 23 and offer a full law school scholarship which includes tuition and all other expenses and incidentals. Additionally, recipients of these scholarships for law school students participate in a Legal Defense Fund (LDF) summer internship, plus a two-year post-grad fellowship at the LDF
The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP) was created to honor two civil rights lawyers – Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley. The MMSP was created to ensure the southern United States has skilled civil rights lawyers to pursue civil rights justice professionally and personally. The Legal Defense Fund was founded by Thurgood Marshall in 1940.
14. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) offers the law School Scholarship Program that is awarded each year to five to fifteen students currently attending an accredited law school in the nation as a full-time student. The value of these scholarships for law students is $2,000, with a yearly deadline of February 26. These MALDEF scholarships for law school students are eligible to those who have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting Latino civil rights as a career goal.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) was established in the late-1960s and are currently the country’s largest and leading civil rights organization dedicated to Latino legal civil rights. The MALDEF is on a mission to ensure the rights of Latinos in the United States are protected and defended.
15. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. – The Herbert Lehman Scholarship
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) offers the Herbert Lehman Scholarship (HLS) with a yearly deadline of April 1st. The Herbert Lehman scholarships for law school students was founded in the mid-1960s and is named to honor the NY governor and US Senator from New York who sought to ensure civil rights were given to all. The Herbert Lehman scholarships for law students are valued at $2,000 per year, generally for four years. This law student scholarship is only available to United States citizens but has no minimum score for SAT, ACT, or GPA.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. was founded about eight decades ago with a mission to eliminate disparities and to achieve racial justice for all Americans. The LDF accomplishes its goals through advocacy, education, and litigation if needed.
16. The (FADIPL) – the Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in IP Law (Intellectual Property) – The Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program
The Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program was developed by the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in Intellectual Property law that offers scholarships for law students valued at $10,000 to be given to recipients each year for three years. Applicants for the Sidney B Williams Scholar program must complete the application by April 1 and be seeking admission to a law school that is ABA-accredited. Additionally, applicants must be a member of an underrepresented racial group in patent law. The 2nd and the 3rd year scholarships for law school students are dependent upon the student meeting academic criteria established by the foundation.
The Advancement of Diversity in Intellectual Property Law was established and incorporated in 2000 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The organization was developed with three foundations – fundraising & promotion, recruitment, and scholarships.
17. The Snell & Wilmer Law Office’s – Fellowship for Advancement and Resources (FAR)
The Snell & Wilmer Law Offices offer the Fellowship for Advancement and Resources (FAR) Scholarship that encourages law students to become involved with inclusion & diversity in the workplace and throughout the legal profession. The value of Snell and Wilmer’s Fellowship for Advancement and Resources offers scholarships for law students varies and is maxed out at $300 for books and other study materials each semester. Students interested in these scholarships for law school students must complete the application by June 1 and must provide proof of law school acceptance.
The Snell & Wilmer (SW) Law Offices are located in Arizona and was founded in the late 1930s. Snell & Wilmer is recognized among the largest law firms in the state and the western United States. Snell & Wilmer operates offices in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Tucson, among others.
18. Zelle, LLP – The Diversity in Law Scholarship
Zelle, LLC offers the Diversity in Law Scholarship programs through the firm’s diversity outreach program. The Diversity in Law scholarships for law school students have a deadline of March 29, with a value that varies each year. Applicants are eligible if they have demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity or a member of an underrepresented population with regard to attorneys practicing in a private law practice. The Zelle scholarships for law students may be offered a summer internship between the first and second year of law school.
Zelle LLC is a law firm with offices throughout the country and internationally in London as well. The Zelle attorneys represent complicated business litigation, representing plaintiffs and defendants. Zelle LLC has partnered with the climate challenge law office change issued by the ABA and the EPA. Zelle remains committed to diversity across the board in all areas of law.
19. NOBLE – The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
NOBLE – the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) offers the Irlet Anderson Scholarship to graduating high school seniors. NOBLE’s scholarships for law school students are awarded yearly, with an application deadline of April 15. Eligible students for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives scholarships for law students are not renewable but require applicants to be studying for a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice. The value of this NOBLE scholarship is $3,500.
Founding in 1976, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) was established to seek equity in justice administration when providing public service throughout communities. Additionally, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives seeks to serve as law enforcement’s conscience. NOBLE is organized into six regional areas in the US, Canada, the UK, Africa, and the Caribbean, with 59 chapters.
20. The Out to Protect, Inc. (OTP)- The LGBTQ Scholarship
The Out to Protect (OTP) offers scholarships for law school students who identify as LGBTQ. These LGBTQ scholarships for law students are valued at a minimum of $500 and can be as much as $1,000. These scholarship options from OTP offer LGBTQ students two application deadlines in June and December. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled in a basic law enforcement degree program in the nation and be able to perform as a positive role model. It is noted that applicants do NOT have to demonstrate a financial need.
The Out to Protect, Inc. was developed as a nonprofit organization that was established in 2009. OTP offers grants for training law enforcement who identify as LGBTQ and wish to perform as exceptional role models for other colleagues. Out to Protect was borne from the film ‘Coming Out From Behind the Badge.’
Program Website
21. The Pi Gamma Mu – Various Scholarships
The Pi Gamma Mu (PGM) offers up to ten scholarships for law school students that are valued between $1,000 to $2,000. The application deadline for these PGM scholarships for law students is February 15th,and the scholarships are open to Pi Gamma MU members only. These scholarships are available to help defray the costs of graduate school during a student’s first or second year. Applicants must submit the application, a resume, three recommendation letters, and a personal statement, along with official transcripts.
The Pi Gamma Mu (PGM) was founded in 1925 and is the International Honor Society with regard to Social Sciences that is headquartered in Winfield, Kansas. PGM operates with more than 145 active chapters across the United States and internationally. Pi Gamma Mu is a member of the National Association of College Honor Societies since 1953.
22. The Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT) – The Paul Janosky Criminal Justice Related Majors Scholarship
The Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT) offers the Paul Janosky Criminal Justice Related Majors Scholarship that is valued at $2,000 for students who are planning to study criminal justice. These scholarships for law school students have an application deadline of May 1st. POAT’s scholarships for law students are available to students (graduating high school or a full-time college student) in the three most southern Florida counties of Monroe, Broward, and Miami-Dade. Additionally, the student must be the child of a law enforcement agency in Miami-Dade County.
The Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT) was founded in the late-1980s by the Dade Chief of Police Association. POAT serves the families in time of need who are members of the law enforcement community in Miami-Dade. POAT mostly serves families through financial assistance but also helps in times of storms, like 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, which devastated South Florida.
23. The San Antonio Independent School District Foundation
The San Antonio Independent School District Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for law school students that seeks to support students as they pursue their post-secondary degree. The application deadline for these scholarships for law students is April 9th. The value of these scholarship options varies depending on the exact scholarship. Students can opt for the Vela Memorial, the Martinez Memorial, the Akin Memorial, and the Williams – Be the Best One Memorial Scholarships.
The SAISD Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeks to innovate and encourage student success in the greater San Antonio area. SAISD seeks to support and benefit students and teachers throughout the district. To date, SAISD has awarded nearly $15 million in scholarship opportunities.
24. The Sheryl A. Horak Memorial Endowment – The Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship
The Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Sheryl Horak Memorial Endowment. Students interested in applying for these scholarships for law students must do so by May 31stand be at least in the twelfth grade. Applicants for these scholarships for law school students are qualified based on their academic history, extracurricular activities, and leadership abilities, to name a few. The value of this scholarship is $1,000.
The Sheryl A. Horak Law Enforcement Explorer Memorial Scholarship was developed as a way to provide scholarships to those students interested in studying law enforcement and who have demonstrated exceptional skills as an executive in law or law enforcement. The Sheryl A. Horak Memorial Endowment was established in 1985 for Sheryl Horak, who was killed in the line of duty.
25. The American Association of University Women – The Career Developing Grant
The AAUW offers a Career Developing Grant or Scholarship available to women who already hold a baccalaureate degree (earned before 6/2013) and wish to change or advance their career. These scholarships for law students have an application deadline of November 15. The value of these AAUW scholarships for law school students ranges from $2,000 to $12,000.
The AAUW – the American Association of University Women (AAUW) began offering Career Developing Grant in 1972 as Career Development grants for the American Association of University Women. These scholarships from AAUW are available for online learning if the programs are accredited through a USDE sanctioned agency.
Are There Scholarships for Minority Law Students?
Scholarships for minority law students are available to individuals who fall into almost every minority group. Native Americans, blacks, Hispanic, LGBTQ, or any other type of minority classification can find scholarships that will allow them to reach their educational goals. Many schools and non-profit organizations offer scholarships to black and Hispanic students. Fraternal organizations also offer scholarships to minorities. Many minority students also apply for scholarships that are open to everyone and receive them.
Scholarships for black law students can apply for educational assistance through organizations like the NAACP and other groups that are committed to providing minority students with the education they deserve. Performing an online search will bring up numerous scholarships that are available to black students. Many of these scholarships focus on diversity and are dedicated to providing black students with new challenges and opportunities they may not have had otherwise. Many of these scholarships cover more than just tuition, extending benefits to room and board as well.
Law school scholarships for Hispanic students are also readily available. Whether the student is an American citizen or is visiting on a student visa, scholarships are available that will help them make their educational path much easier. Hispanic students can find multiple scholarship options through an online search. Many scholarships are made available through Hispanic-owned companies that are trying to support their local communities. By providing law school scholarships for Hispanic students, these companies hope the students will return home to their families and use their talents locally. Many Hispanic law students are offered scholarships due to the need for bilingual legal professionals in the United States.
Are There Scholarships for Women in Law?
Women who are attending law school have access to numerous scholarship opportunities. Women who are single mothers, business owners, or entrepreneurs can find scholarships almost everywhere they look. Women’s groups across the country offer millions of scholarships each year for female law students. Some of the scholarships are quite substantial and will cover almost all of the student’s expenses. The size of the scholarship will generally depend on the size and wealth of the company or organization offering it. Other scholarships come from charitable donations or grants that were established through estates or wills.
Many fraternal organizations that have a women’s group will sometimes offer scholarships to female students. Fraternal organizations and other non-profits take into consideration that women are sometimes passed over for various types of scholarships. Creating a scholarship fund for female law students ensures that they have as many opportunities as others who may be competing for the more generalized scholarship offerings. Women who have affiliations with these organizations sometimes have an advantage over non-members.
Women law students have more advantages today than ever before. Many legal organizations are starting to focus on helping more women law students make their way along their educational journey. While there are fewer obstacles in general, many women still struggle with finding the money to complete their degree programs. Scholarships for women law students give them the extra boost they need to complete their degree and establish their career path.
What Other Kinds of Law Scholarships Are There?
There are many different types of law scholarships. In addition to those offered to minorities and women, there are also many that are offered to individuals who are pursuing a specific type of law. Wealthy benefactors may offer law school scholarships for students who are interested in financial or corporate law. You may also find legal scholarships for completing a law degree program that focuses on international or immigration law. For every legal specialization, you will be able to find multiple legal scholarship opportunities.
Large corporations often provide legal as well as other types of scholarships to employees who are interested in advancing their careers or choosing a different career path. By offering employee scholarships, employers hope that the student will continue to work for them after graduation, providing them with a positive return on their investment. In some cases, these larger companies may offer grant programs that allow the student to perform legal research as part of their studies. Students receive credit for their work and the company receives valuable information.
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