Robert A. McNew Law Student Scholarship

Foundation scholarships promote the practice of federal law and help young adults pursue university and law school education, ushering in a new generation of bright professionals, attorneys, and judges.

The Robert A. McNew Law Student Scholarship promotes the practice of federal law by annually awarding at least one scholarship of $5,000 to a law student attending an accredited law school who is also a Federal Bar Association (FBA) student associate member or has an interest in federal practice.

The Law Student Scholarship is named in honor of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association's past president and founder of the Fellows program, Robert A. McNew, who also served as president of the FBA. Bob was an active member of the FBA for more than 30 years and continued to support the Foundation in his retirement until his passing in 2023.

Applicants must exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives as demonstrated in application materials:

• Online application
• Personal essay
• Unaltered academic transcript (official or student copy)
• Two letters of recommendation (these may include professors)

Letters of recommendation may be submitted with the online application or by the recommender to foundation@fedbar.org (make sure your name and “McNew Scholarship” appear in the subject line (i.e., B Smith McNew Scholarship). The criteria for recipient selection is based on student participation in the FBA, law school, community activities, and academic achievement.