Getting a scholarship may play a significant role in funding your law school education. But with so many students deciding to go to law schools, the competition to get a scholarship can be fierce. Getting that scholarship may require you some time, dedication, research, and planning, but it is all worth it in the end.
While we researched this topic, we came across various free law essays and paper samples. In which student writers talk about free law schools, but also in some of those essays about law, students are also writing that they cannot get or don’t know how to get law school scholarships. So, to help with your search, we have created a guide that will get your search started.
First of all, let’s start with how much does a law school tuition cost. For a full-time, residential student, the fees at an average school cost around $40,244. And for an out-of-state student, the price goes around $46,161. Although the price can vary depending on your choice, some of the best private schools will cost much more than public ones of course.
Also, another popular question among students that are persuasive about the law is “do law schools give scholarships,” and the answer to that is Yes! Some of them even offer full-ride scholarships, although this can be argumentative. Law full-ride programs cover the whole tuition, but not the books, living expenses, etc., which doesn’t make your education completely free. With that said, let’s continue with the types of law scholarships and where you can find them.
Types of Scholarships Available
Need-based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are given to students based on their financial needs. And to get it, you will need to complete a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And also, the financial aid assessment form of your chosen law school, if applicable.
Merit-based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on the student’s academic achievement. Mostly the LSAT score and the undergraduate GPA. To get this one, you may need to spend more time writing papers and creating templates on topics important to law, such as domestic violence. But, thanks to technology, there is nothing to worry about because there are plenty of free essays online that can help you and inspire you. But at the end of the day, all that hard work will surely pay up. This kind of scholarship can also be awarded to second- or third-year students, based on their academic achievement in their first year.
Criteria-based Scholarships
Criteria-based scholarships are awarded to students that meet some guidelines. For example, a law school may offer a scholarship to a student who is an undergraduate and wants to attend law school. This type of scholarship can also come from external sources, such as a law firm that wants to recruit a student or a fund for people that want to study a specific type of law.
Endowed Scholarships
These scholarships are also offered to students who meet certain criteria, but they are set by a donor that creates the criteria and qualifications. For example, an endowed scholarship may work for students who are part of specific activities or want to pursue a specific field of law.
Where to find Law School Scholarships
Law Schools
You first need to look for scholarships at the law school that you applied for. Many of the schools consider giving merit or need-based scholarships to their students. Although you are looking for a more specialized scholarship, you may need to make some additional applications.
Law Organizations and Associations
Some legal organizations and associations offer scholarships to law students such as:
· The American Association for Justice- offer four different scholarships that vary from $3,000 to $5,000
· The American Bar Association Legal Opportunity — provide from 10 to 20 students with $15.000 in their first three years of law school.
· The American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation — Provide students with $10,000 annual scholarships for three years.
· The Don H. Liu Scholars Program — This program offers scholarships of $15.000 and even gives a chance for career development and mentorship to three students.
· The One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship — this scholarship is offered by BARBRI, and they award ten students with scholarships that range from $1.000 to $10.000.
Law Firms
Even law firms offer scholarships. However, some of them may require the students to work at that firm after graduation. Those law firms’ scholarships include The Rizio Lipinski Scholarship, The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship, The Arent Fox Annual Diversity Scholarship Program, The Ward Greenberg Diversity Scholarship Program, and many others.
Websites that offer Law Scholarships
Some websites are available for a scholarship search. Such as:
· Unigo
· UpCounsel
· Scholarships.com
· AdmissionsDean
· LSAT
Conclusion: Before you choose to apply for law school education, you may want to take a moment and figure out how you are going to pay for it. Most students still graduate but with a big debt on their bags, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. There are plenty of law scholarships within everyone’s reach, and even in some cases, they can be negotiable. Good luck!
