Other Sources of Aid

American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

Formed to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school, this scholarship offers $5,000 in assistance per year and is renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000.

In addition to whether the applicant is a member of a racial and/or ethnic minority that has been underrepresented in the legal profession, the applicant’s financial need; personal, family and educational background; personal statement; and participation in community service activities will be considered in selection.

Qualifications: Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America, must be entering their first year of law school in Fall 2013, and must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher. Completed scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2013.

For more information, as well as download the application, visit the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund website.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

MALDEF awards several law school scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, to Hispanic students in their first, second, or third year of law school. Qualifications: Scholarships are based on financial need, demonstrated involvement with and commitment to serve the Latino community, and academic achievement indicating the potential for successful completion of a graduate or law degree. Deadline: Call MALDEF for information.

Applications available online at MALDEF or by writing to:

MALDEF
Law School Scholarship Program
634 S. Spring St., 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014-3921
(213) 629-2512

American Indian Graduate Center

Native Americans may seek fellowship assistance from the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC). Access their site for information, eligibility requirements and deadlines, and an application.

New Mexico Higher Education Department Graduate Scholarship Program

The Graduate Scholarship Program was created to increase graduate enrollment at public post secondary institutions, particularly among those students who are minorities and women. The maximum award amount is $7,200 per year. This award may be renewed annually based on academic standing. Recipient must serve 10 hours per week in an unpaid internship or assistantship. Recipient must also be provided with 10 hours per week of paid internship or assistantship, including tuition waiver and health insurance. These scholarships are intended for full-time students from groups traditionally underrepresented in their field who have financial need. The application deadline is March 1st. For further details, see the Graduate Scholarship Program.

Alternative Loan Programs

Several programs offer private loans for students whose cost of education exceeds the Federal Loan program maximum. You must have good credit to be eligible for these programs.

Scholarships

Esther D. Morin Scholarship
Demonstrate academic achievement
Demonstrate financial need
Be Native American women, preferably Navajo

Myrtle Okey
American Indian
Satisfactory academic progress

Kathleen Rogers
Graduate and undergraduate
Satisfactory academic progress

Hartley B. Dean
American Indian
Undergraduate, graduate
Preference to students who would not be able to continue without support
Satisfactory academic progress
Financial need

Manuel F. Saenz Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Native American ancestry; preferably Navajo
Involvement in athletics
Full or part-time enrollment

Marguerite M. Drum Endowed Memorial Scholarship for
Native American Students
Student must be Native American
Must be enrolled full-time as either a graduate or undergraduate
GPA of 2.5/4.0
Demonstrate financial need
Preference to students enrolled in a Native American Studies program or a degree program with a concentration in Native American Studies

John Schneid
Full time
American Indian students
General criteria

Mary Blackmar Shelden Scholarship For Native American Students
Academic achievement
Financial need
Preference to Native Americans

Doris and Thornton Seligman Memorial Scholarship
Undergraduate
New Mexico resident
Academic ability

Glen T. Simpson
American Indian student
Senior
Academic achievement and financial need

Robert Hammond Scholarship Fund
Contact the District Court of the Tenth Judicial District, State of New Mexico
Dorothy Hatch
American Indian
Contact the Scholarship Office

Lawrence White
Satisfactory academic progress
New Mexico resident
Financial need

Gerald T. Wilkinson
Academic achievement
Financial need
Native American
Full time student
Undergraduate or graduate degree program

Louise E. Johnson
American Indian or African American
Contact the Scholarship Office

James M. & Luella Key Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship for students thereof engaged in courses qualifying them to pursue a gainful occupation (nursing, teaching, engineering, etc.)
Financial need
Aptitude
Grades