Financial Aid
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 program provides financial assistance to ensure that such students have an opportunity to attend law school for three years.
The scholarship is based on financial need, community service, and academics and offers $5,000 in assistance per year and is renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000.
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 2008, and must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher. Completed scholarship applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2008.
The applications can be downloaded from the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, or applicants can write to:
ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund - Application
Diversity Center
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610-4714
Phone: (312) 988-5415
Email: dfranklin3@staff.abanet.org.
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.
