Scholarships
Detroit Mercy Law Scholarships
Detroit Mercy Law awards a variety of scholarships to students each year, including Dean's Scholarships for academic excellence, leadership scholarships, and endowed scholarships.
Dean's ScholarshipsStudents are notified in August - September regarding renewal of merit scholarships, which do not require any application process. The requirements of the scholarship renewal are listed on the scholarship award letters that students received at the time of admission or at the time of last year's renewal.
Detroit Mercy Law Named & Endowed Internal ScholarshipsTo apply for additional Detroit Mercy Law scholarships, students must complete the Detroit Mercy general application and the Detroit Mercy School of Law scholarship application found on the Detroit Mercy Opportunities page. Recipients of the awards will be notified by the end of Fall term and scholarships will apply to Winter 2020 tuition.
Application Open Date: October 7, 2020Application Close Date: November 5, 2020
External Scholarships & Writing Competitions
Funding your law degree is not limited to scholarships from Detroit Mercy and loans. A great source of additional financing to help reduce your total borrowing and the cost of law school is available through scholarship awards offered by philanthropic organizations. These awards are usually limited to particular populations of students based on geography, class year, area of interest in law, or ethnic background.
Students are encouraged to research external scholarships and funding by looking closely at organizations with which you and/or your family are already connected. This may include religious or community organizations, local law firms, parents' employers, greek life, and high school and undergraduate alma maters. Many organizations award merit and need-based scholarships to affiliated students.
It does take time and effort to seek outside funding but not trying to secure the funds assures you won't receive them.
Detroit Mercy Law is contacted by outside organizations seeking applications from our students. We post these scholarships as we are notified. Additionally, we do our best to find scholarships that are available to our law students. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information on our external scholarship listings, we encourage students to confirm the details with the sponsoring organization. If you receive notice that the information we have is incorrect, please email the Law Financial Aid Office so that we can update the information.
Scholarship opportunities are listed for informational purposes only. The listing of scholarships does not represent an endorsement of any organization.
External Scholarships by Category
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Bar Study
American Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan Bar Study Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500 - $1,500
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be an enrolled 3L student or a recent graduate of a Michigan law school. Applicants must submit a Letter of Interest, which outlines a commitment to Indian Country and/or Native American communities and also submit a current resume and a recent law school transcript.
Deadline: TBD
BARBRI 2020 - 2021 Public Interest Scholarship
Scholarship: 2020 BARBRI Bar Review course at a $1,995 scholarship tuition rate.Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be:- Graduating law school in Winter 2020 or Spring 2021
- Siting for the bar exam in 2021, immediately following graduation
- Employed or committed to be employed in the public interest sector with a salary of <$75,000
Deadline: October 15 for February or July 2021 exam -
General
Answering Legal’s Future Attorneys of America Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Topic: Please choose one of the following questions provided for your essay. Essays must be between 500 and 1000 words.-
How have your personal life experiences affected your outlook on the United States legal system? -
What has inspired you to pursue a career in law? -
How do you see yourself impacting the legal community in the future?
Eligibility Criteria: Must be currently enrolled at an accredited law school with GPA of 3.50.Applicants must submit an unofficial copy of their transcript. If you are a rising 1L, please provide your undergraduate transcript.
Deadline: November 5, 2020Arnold & Itkin LLP Academic Scholarship
Scholarship amount: $5,000Topic: Applicants must submit an essay explaining their goals and intent to use their legal education to improve the lives of certain individuals, the community, or society at large. The essay should be limited to no more than three pages in length. In addition to that, applicants must submit a statement of financial need along with supporting documentation.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be a U.S. resident currently enrolled at an accredited law school as a 2L or 3L with GPA of 3.00.
Deadline: December 1, 2020Attorney Ken Nugent Legal Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Essay Topic: Please explain why you have chosen to enter the Legal Field in 500 words.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be: a legal US resident, and a current law student and submit a 500-word essay explaining why you have chosen to enter the legal field.
Deadline: August 15, 2020Attorneys.org Legal Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Topic: Applicants must submit a 500-word essay describing why you are interested in the field of law, criminal justice, or forensics. Your essay can include life events and other key influences, career plans, or anything else that contributes to your interest
Eligibility Criteria: Must be currently enrolled at an accredited law school and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.
Deadline: December 11, 2020Cherepinsky Law Firm, PC Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an accredited US law school with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Deadline: October 26, 2020Drew Lewis Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000Essay Prompt: Describe an experience where you were confronted with taking an unpopular position by helping a vulnerable, helpless, or powerless person (750 - 1000 words).
Eligibility Criteria: All students enrolled in an accredited law school with a GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply
Deadline: Application is open January 1 - April 30Emery Reddy, PLLC Legal Studies Scholarship
Award Amount: $2,500Essay Prompt: Applicant must demonstrate their dedication to the study of law with the submission of an essay of no more than 500 words.
Eligibility Criteria: All students enrolled in an accredited law school are eligible to apply.
Deadline: November 30Excellence in Ethics Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000Writing Prompt: The essay should focus on the importance of providing free legal services to those who cannot afford it, and why this is beneficial to the community at large and to the legal system as a whole.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be U.S. permanent resident or legal non-citizen, currently enrolled in or accepted to a US law school.
Deadline: July 1, 2021Farzad & Ochoa Financial Literacy Scholarship
Scholarship amount: $2,500Topic: Applicants are to write between 1,500 to 3,000 words on the following three-part topic:
- What specific challenges do you or your peers currently have that prevent you / your peers from the optimal management of personal finances? This can be educational, technological, societal, and/or even generational (your generation).
- What specific education-related steps can you and your peers take to move toward that optimal management of personal finances? Include steps regardless of whether you or your peers pursue a degree and/or a career in finance or accounting.
- What specific technology-related steps can you and your peers take to move toward that optimal management of personal finances?
Eligibility Criteria: Must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and currently enrolled in a US college or univiersity.
Deadline: December 15, 2020Federal Circuit Bar Association Scholarships
The Federal Circuit Bar Association has a number of writing competitions and scholarships.- Judge Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship - $10,000
- Judge Helen W. Niles Memorial Scholarship - $10,000
- Judge Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Scholarship - $10,000
- Board Scholarship - $10,000
- Association William S. Bullinger Scholarship - $5,000
- Association Need-Based Scholarships - amount dependent on available funds
Application Process: Applicants should only submit one application. The essay is limited to no more than 450 words, on one page, and should address the applicant’s financial need, any interests in particular areas of the law, and any specific qualifications for a particular scholarship considered relevant by the applicant (i.e., please highlight which scholarship you feel you are best qualified to receive).s
Eligibility Criteria: Students (a) pursuing a juris doctor degree, (b) enrolling for the upcoming academic year (i.e., 2020/2021) in any law school accredited by the American Bar Association, (c) having financial need, and (d) showing a demonstrable interest in one of the many topics that lie within the procedure, substance, or scope of the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (e.g., international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, certain money claims against the United States government, federal personnel, and veterans’ benefits). Students with interests solely in such areas as family, public interest, bankruptcy, or criminal law, for example, need not apply.
Deadline: May 31, 2021
Florin Roebig College Scholarship Essay Contest
Scholarship Amount: 1st place - $3,000, 2nd place - $1,500, 3rd place - $500Essay Topic: Using your insight as a student and knowledge of your school, think of a new program to help prevent sexual assault on college campuses.
Eligibility Criteria: All students enrolled full-time at a US post-secondary academic institution in the US are eligible to apply
Deadline: December 15, 2020Funk & Associates Law Student Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants should be enrolled in an accredited US law school and have completed at least one year of legal studies. The winner will have to prove academic eligibility and a transcript showing the completion of their first year of legal studies.
Deadline: November 15, 2020GAR Disability Advocates
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Writing Prompt: Submit an essay (no more than 500 words) answering the following prompt: How has someone with a disability affected you? This can be yourself or someone you know. If you are close to anyone who gets disability benefits, how would their life be different without those benefits?
Eligibility Criteria: All students enrolled or accepted to an accredited US law school are eligible to apply
Deadline: October 15, 2020The Good Works College Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Writing Prompt: Submit an essay (no more than 500 words) describing the applicant's leadership and dedication to giving back to the community through service projects, including projects involving criminal justice issues.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good academic standing. Applicants must have a dedicated interest in community service and projects about criminal justice.
Deadline: October 31, 2020Harry Klein and Shirley Klein Legal Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Writing Prompt: Submit an essay (no more than 500 words) indicating how your background and qualifications align with the history and philosophy of Harry Klein.
Eligibility Criteria: All students enrolled at a Law School in the State of Michigan are eligible to apply.
Deadline: TBDThe Johns Law Firm Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Writing Prompt: Submit an essay (300-400 words) about what influenced your legal career and why you are pursuing law school.
Eligibility Criteria: All individuals currently enrolled in law school are eligible to apply.
Deadline: December 31, 2020Justice Hero Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Topic: Please tell us why you are inspired to pursue a degree related to law, and how you plan on using your degree to fight for justice
Eligibility Criteria: Must be currently enrolled at a college or university studying law, criminal justice, or political science and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better.
Deadline: December 11, 2020Kimberly M. Cahill Memorial Scholarship
Award Amount: $3,000
Eligibility Criteria: must be enrolled as a second or third-year law student who is currently enrolled in law classes at any accredited Michigan law school. The recipient should demonstrate outstanding qualities of leadership and the ability to inspire and effectively lead others to a defined objective. The recipient must also demonstrate a need for financial assistance and academic standing (3.0 GPA or above).
Deadline: TBDLegal Leaders Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be: a legal US resident, and a current law student studying in the United States with a GPA of at least 3.0. Additionally, applicants must submit all law school transcripts and a short letter of introduction.
Deadline: December 31, 2020Melmed Law Group
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Essay Topic: Students must submit a 500-1,00 word essay on the topic of how they were impacted by an issue of workplace fairness; this can be a reaction to a news story, a personal anecdote, or anything else. What does workplace fairness mean to you in the context of a larger social and economic structure?
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in law school.
Deadline: July 1Morgan & Morgan "For The People" Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Essay Topic: What does “For The People” mean to you and how would you apply that in your legal career?
Eligibility Criteria: All students currently enrolled in a law degree program. The essay must be between 700 - 800 words.
Deadline: December 1Reiff Law Firm Legal Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: A 650-word essay on what goals you hope to accomplish through eventual employment in the legal field.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0
Deadline: July 1Scott Jay Senft Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Essay Topic: Submit an essay outlining your future goals and what you plan on doing with your law degree. The essay is limited to 850 - 1,150 words
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be US residents or citizens enrolled or admitted to a US Law school without a full academic scholarship.
Deadline: November 15, 2020Smith & Eulo Legal Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Essay Topic: In 400 - 600 words, explain what you plan to do with your law degree and how society will benefit.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be US residents or citizens enrolled or admitted to a US Law school with full-time enrollment.
Deadline: November 15, 2020Tobin Injury Law Scholarship Contest
Scholarship Amount: $1,188
Essay Topic: Write an essay between 600 to 1,000 words explaining what you are studying and what you are planning on doing with your education that will help others. As part of your essay, explain what the Hebrew word “CHAI” means to you.
Eligibility Criteria: Any student enrolled at an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional program in the United States.
Deadline: July 1The Warren E. Burger Prize
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Topic: The American Inns of Court invites judges, lawyers, professors, students, scholars, and other authors to participate in the competition. Please submit an original, unpublished, essay of 10,000 to 20,000 words on a topic of your choice addressing issues of professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence.
Deadline: July 1The 2020 Weiss & Paarz Annual National Law Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Eligibility Criteria: All students currently enrolled in a law degree program.
Deadline: September 30, 2020 -
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Diversity
Association on American Indian Affairs
Award Amount: $500 - $800
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be enrolled with their respective Tribe and be enrolled as a full-time student with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Deadline: May 31, 2021Buckfire Law School Diversity Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,000Essay Topic: A one-page typed essay describing how you have utilized your time promoting ethnic diversity within your community. Alternatively, you may write about how you will use your law degree to promote ethnic diversity in the future.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Recipient is a member of an ethnic or racial minority or any individual who demonstrates a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career.
- Recipient is a U.S. citizen currently attending an accredited law school within the United States.
- Academic achievement as reflected by a minimum 3.0 GPA and have completed at least one semester of classes at an accredited law school.
Deadline: October 1, 2020
Devereaux, Stokes, Fernandez, and Leonard (DSFL) Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must submit a 2-minute video answering the question, "What are the greatest barriers in our legal system to justice for all? How can you work to change this? Must be an immigrant or first-generation Hispanic Law student with at least a 2.75 GPA
Deadline: January 31Han C Choi Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000Eligibility Criteria: The National Asian Pacific Americans Bar Association (NAPABA) Law Foundation has partnered with the Choi Family to create the Han C. Choi Scholarship, to honor a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor, and leader, who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. The Scholarship Fund will benefit a 1L or 2L law student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship experience, and demonstrates an interest in AAPI civic issues. Special consideration will also be given to applicants who have been adversely affected by cancer (as a survivor, or family member of a victim or survivor).
Deadline: March 1, 2021Italian American Bar Association of Michigan Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must apply as student members of the organization and be a 2L or 3L student.
Deadline: November 2, 2020Islamic Scholarship Foundation
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be Muslim or active members of the Muslim community. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent legal residents who intend to be enrolled in Fall 2021 with the intent of practicing Public Interest Law or Human Rights Law.
Application Timeline: The application is open from November to MarchKorean American Scholarship Foundation
Award Amount: $5,000
Eligibility Criteria: Must be of Korean heritage (i.e., have a Korean parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent, or be adopted from Korea). Applicants must be enrolled in the 2021-22 academic year and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Deadline: June 30Lavent Law, P.A. Immigrant Scholarship
Award Amount: $3,500Eligibility Criteria: Enrolled as a full-time law student. Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident who is an immigrant to the United States.
Deadline: November 1MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Eligibility Criteria: Open to all law students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited US Law school. Must demonstrate a commitment to advancing Latino civil rights careers.
Deadline: January 31Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship
Award Amount: $5,000
Eligibility Criteria: This scholarship is awarded to law students of color currently residing in Michigan, with preference to those with West Michigan residence. Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Deadline: March 1Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Scholarship Amount: $25,000Eligibility Criteria: 1L or 2L first-generation American or immigrant under the age of 30.
- To be considered a first-generation American, both of your parents must have born outside of the US as non-US citizens, and both parents must not have been eligible for US citizenship at the time of their respective births*
Deadline: October 29, 2020
Sharon & Ivan Leadership (SAIL) Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000Application Evaluation: Applicants will be evaluated for (a) academic excellence in their undergraduate school years and first year of law school, (b) leadership experience, (c) volunteerism or service in the public interest, (d) knowledge of social and cultural issues of any one or more Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities or commitment to making a significant impact on issues affecting one or more AAPI communities, or both, and (e) commitment to “pay it forward.”
Eligibility Criteria: Must be a 2L student in Fall 2021
Deadline: June 30, 2021Steinger, Greene & Feiner Hispanic Heritage Law Student Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Topic: Please choose one of the questions below and write an essay of 500-1000 words.- How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your career goals?
- What are the most important issues the Hispanic community are facing today?
- Describe how your experiences have shaped your view on immigration.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be currently enrolled at an accredited law school or intend to be enrolled for Fall 2020 and have a cumulative 2.8 GPA or better.
Deadline: June 31, 2020Warner Norcross & Judd LLP Diversity Law Scholarship
Award Amount: $5,000
Eligibility Criteria: This scholarship is awarded to students of color pursuing a law degree at any accredited law school in the United States. Applicants must be a current or former resident of Michigan.
Deadline: March 1 -
International Students
AAUW Educational Foundation: International Fellowship
Award for first professional degree: $18,000
Eligibility Criteria: Women pursuing full-time graduate or professional study in the US who are not US citizens or permanent residents.
Deadline: November 15, 2020MPower Global Citizen Scholarship
Awards: Grand Prize: $3,000; Honorable Mentions (2): $1,000
Eligibility Criteria: Recipients must be enrolled in a full-time degree program in the US or Canada- For study in the US, the recipient must meet one of these criteria: Be an international student (US permanent resident, protected under DACA, have a valid visa to study in the US) enrolled as a full-time student.
- For study in Canada, the recipient must meet one of these criteria: Be a Canadian permanent resident, have a valid Canadian study permit
Deadline: December 31, 2020
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Location
John S. Beagle Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria: Residents of Genesee County (MI) who are either admitted to law school or who have successfully completed one year of law school are eligible to apply. Preference is to students studying at one of Michigan's law schools.
Deadline: May 1Judge Philip J. Glennie Law Scholarship
Award Amount: $1000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a graduate of a high school in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Presque Isle, or was a resident of Montmorency County when graduation from Johannesburg-Lewiston High School.
Deadline: March 1Macomb County Bar Foundation Trustees Law School Scholarship
Award Amount: $3000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a 2L or 3L student who demonstrates a commitment to serve or contribute to the Macomb County legal community.
Deadline: March 15Philip F. Greco Memorial Scholarship
Award Amount: $3,000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a 2L or 3L student enrolled in an accredited Michigan Law school with good academic standing, demonstrate financial need, and have a commitment to serve the Macomb County Legal community
Deadline: March 15Peggy (Kommer) Novosad Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria: Student is a resident of Kent County currently completing or possessing an undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University or Michigan State University and will be pursuing a full-time law or business degree at any accredited university in Michigan with a minimum GPA of 3.5
Deadline: May 1 -
Subject
Business Law
Brown, PC National Business Law Scholarship
Award: $500Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a 2L or 3L student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A demonstrated interest in Business Law is a requirement and must be summarized in the cover letter.
Deadline: August 10, 2020Curley Law Firm Law School Scholarship
Award: $1,000 ScholarshipWriting Topic: What is business law to you and why is it important in today's society? (500 words)
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled or accepted into an ABA-accredited law school in the US as of the Fall 2020 term.
Deadline: June 30, 2020Children's Law
The State Bar of Michigan Children's Law Section John H. McKaig II Scholarship Fund
Eligibility Criteria: Any 2L or 3L student who is enrolled in any Michigan accredited law school who has an interest in practicing in the area of child protective proceedings and/or juvenile justice. Must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.8.
Application Timeline: February 1, 2021 - March 30, 2021Steinger, Greene & Feiner Law Scholarship for Child Advocates
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Application: Please choose one of the questions provided for your essay. Essays must be between 500 and 1000 words.
- How has being a child advocate inspired you to pursue a career in law?
- How has your personal childhood experiences affected your outlook on the legal system?
- How did you become a child advocate?
Eligibility Criteria: Applicant must be either a current law student at an accredited law school or at an accredited undergraduate university planning to attend law school for the following academic year, with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants must submit an unofficial copy of their transcript.
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Consumer Financial Services Law
American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers 2020 Writing Competition
Award Amount: Cash payments of $1500, $3500, and $5000 and travel to the Spring 2021 meeting of the College.Eligibility Criteria: Eligible entries must discuss some aspect of U.S. consumer financial services law. Topics that relate principally to securities regulation, bankruptcy, insurance, or the safety and soundness aspects of banking regulation are not eligible, but works on subjects within these (or other) areas will be considered if they bear directly on U.S. consumer financial services. Entries must have been written or published between November 15, 2019, and December 1, 2020.
Deadline: December 1, 2020Criminal Law
Lankin Afolabi Law Future Criminal Lawyer Scholarship
Award: $1,000 (CDN)Writing Topic: To what degree, if any, should race in general and particularly the race of an accused person play a role in the criminal justice system? (minimum of 500 words)
Eligibility Criteria: All students accepted to a University pursuing any degree with an intention to pursue a legal education.
Deadline: July 31, 2020Marshall M. Schulman Competition for Student Papers
Award: Grand Prize - $1500, the paper will be published in the Criminal Law Journal, and one-year student membership in the Criminal Law section. Honorable Mention Prizes - $500, the paper will be published in the Criminal Law Journal, and one-year student membership in the Criminal Law section.Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, the paper must be written solely by the student enrolled in law school at the time of submission. The paper must pertain to criminal law and/or to criminal procedure, with a particular focus on contemporary issues of concern in the State of California. The paper should be original and scholarly. It should be appropriately and carefully annotated to reflect the authorities that support the author’s opinions and findings, and upon which the author otherwise relies. Papers should be between 1,500 and 4,500 words in length, including any citations.
Deadline: March 2, 2021Miller Leonard, PC Criminal Justice Reform Scholarship
Award: $1,000 ScholarshipWriting Topic: What is the single most important refund that out to be made to the United States criminal justice system?
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled or accepted into an ABA-accredited law school in the US as of the fall 2020 term.
Deadline: August 1, 2020Robert M. Helfend Criminal Defense Scholarship
Award: $500 ScholarshipWriting Topic: Please submit a 400-600 word essay on one of the following topics:
- Representing underserved communities in the criminal justice system
- Equal protection under the law in modern-day practice
- State vs Federal Law: Is marijuana illegal
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled full-time or accepted into an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Deadline: February 15, 2021Disability Advocacy
ABC Law Centers Disability Advocacy Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Application: Applicants must complete one of the following:
- Write an essay which does not exceed two typed, single-spaced pages describing your interest and/or personal experience in disability advocacy
- Submit a creative project focused on the same topic. Examples can include, but are not limited to:
- Photo projects
- Video or other multimedia presentations
- Creative writing
- Performance Pieces
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be planning to pursue a law or public policy career on disability advocacy. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Deadline: July 31, 2020Entertainment Law
Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Competition
Award: Grand Prize - $10,000, two tickets to and recognition at the Annual Law Entertainment Law Initiative event & Scholarship presentation on January 24, two tickets to the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, and round-trip airfare to Los Angeles and hotel accommodations for two to attend the events.Writing Topic: The writing contest challenges students to identify, research, and write an essay with a proposed solution on a compelling legal issue confronting the music industry.
Eligibility Criteria: Entrants must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. To be eligible, the paper must be written solely by the student enrolled in law school at the time of submission. Essays should be no longer than 3,000 words in length, not including endnotes/footnotes.
Deadline: January 2, 2020Family & Juvenile Law
Proff Law Juvenile & Restorative Justice
Award: $1500Writing Topic: Write an essay (500-1000 words) that addresses all/any of the following points:
- What made you want to work in the juvenile or restorative justice space?
- What experiences have you had related to juvenile or restorative justice?
- What kind of career do you hope to have after graduating law school?
Eligibility Criteria: The purpose of the scholarship is to support law students spending their summer working at a non-profit organization doing unpaid or low-paid juvenile justice or restorative justice work. Applicants must be enrolled at a U.S. ABA-approved law school.
Deadline: April 30, 2020Federal Law
Robert A. McNew Law Student Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship is awarded to a current law student who is a Federal Bar Association law student associate member in good standing. Applicants must exhibit professionalism and high character in their personal and professional lives as demonstrated in application materials. Applicants must submit an application, a personal essay, transcript, and two letters of recommendation (these may include a letter from a professor).
Deadline: November 30Food & Drug Law
Austern Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: 1st place - $750, 2nd place - $500, 3rd place - $250Application:
- Paper topics are limited to FDA and regulated agencies’ law and regulation.
- Papers should provide an in-depth analysis of a current legal issue concerning food, drugs, animal drugs, biologics, cosmetics, diagnostics, dietary supplements, medical devices, veterinary devices, cannabis, or tobacco. FDLI welcomes the submission of papers prepared for course work, but entrants must pay attention to competition details and edit such papers accordingly.
- Students will submit an abstract.
- Papers may not exceed 100 pages (double spaced, one-inch margins).
- Papers must be unpublished.
Eligibility Criteria: Students currently enrolled in a JD program at any of the nation’s ABA-accredited law schools and 2019-2020 academic year graduates are eligible to participate
Deadline: June 19, 2020Infrastructure & Regulated Industries
K. William Kolbe Law Student Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 and free membership in the Section for one year after admission to the bar, and coach-seat airfare and standard hotel accommodations to attend the Sections' Fall 2020 Council Group Meeting.Writing Topic: Papers should address a current topic of general interest in a legal area covered by the Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section (the “Section”). The Section covers specific industries that provide certain important, in some cases, essential, services to the general public.
Eligibility Criteria: all law students who are enrolled in ABA-approved law schools and are members of the ABA Law Student Division.
Deadline: June 30, 2020Insurance Law
State Bar Association of Michigan Insurance & Indemnity Law Section Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000Writing Topic: Identify the conflicts that exist between Michigan's medical and recreational marijuana laws and the federal law in regards to the use of medical marijuana by employees, and their workers' compensation claims.
Eligibility Criteria: All applicants must be enrolled in a Michigan Law law school.
Deadline: February 29, 2020International Law
New York State Bar Association International Law Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: $2,000 and publication of the article in the New York International Law ReviewWriting Topic: Submit an original article concerning any area of public or private international law or practice
Eligibility Criteria: All law students who are enrolled in ABA-approved law schools and are members of the ABA Law Student Division.
Deadline: November 6, 2020Labor Law
ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law and The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: 1st place - $3,000; 2nd place - $1,00; 3rd place - $500Writing Topic: The topic must be relevant, engaging, and useful to labor and employment lawyers. Submission must be between 20 and 30 pages.
Eligibility Criteria: This competition is open to articles written while the author is an active student at an accredited law school in the United States. The authors may not have graduated from law school prior to December 1, 2019.
Deadline: August 15, 2020Charles E. Joseph Employment Law Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Writing Topic: Applicants should submit a 750-word essay on the following topic: “What are the biggest challenges facing workers’ rights in the future?” The essay can consider current events, recent case law, social movements, historical developments, or any other aspect of workers’ rights. Working Now and Then will publish the winning essay and honorable mentions on its site.
Eligibility Criteria: All applicants must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
Deadline: May 1, 2020Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies
Scholarship Amount: $10,000Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for awards, individuals must be a Law Students enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States or Canada who will not graduate prior to December 2020. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in, and wish to make a career out of, working in the labor movement and on behalf of workers’ rights.
Deadline: December 15, 2020Legal Ethics
Notre Dame Law School Smith Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: $2,500Essay Topic: Entries should concern any issue within the general category of legal ethics.
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for awards, individuals must be a Law Students enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States or Canada. Entries must be original, unpublished work not exceeding 50 pages, including notes.
Deadline: All entries must be received before 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2020Medical Malpractice Law
Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C. Writing Competition
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Essay Topic: Each essay is at a maximum of 1000 words each. A) What does the future of medical malpractice law look like in the U.S? B) Why are you interested in pursuing a career in Medical Malpractice Law?
Eligibility Criteria: All applicants must be enrolled in a US graduate-level program. Applicants should only answer the questions provided and use online articles and case law to support your essay.
Deadline: July 15, 2020Public Service
Baumgartner Law Firm Law Student Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria: Applicant must be enrolled at an accredited law school in the US. This scholarship will be awarded based on need and commitment to helping others.
Deadline: August 31. 2020Carole Bailey Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria: Any student who is enrolled in an accredited law school who has an interest in pursuing a public service legal career and has an interest in the subject matter jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims is beneficial but not necessary for an applicant to be selected.
Deadline: August 15Tax Law
Brown, PC National Tax Law Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $500Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a 2L or 3L student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. An interest in Tax Law is a requirement and must be summarized in the cover letter.
Deadline: August 10, 2020Christopher E. Bergin Award for Excellence in Writing
Scholarship Amount: $1,000Essay Topic: Submissions should focus on an unsettled question in federal, state, or international tax law or policy. Entries should be a minimum of 2,500 words and a maximum of 12,000 words, including footnotes.
Eligibility Criteria: The competition is open to any student currently enrolled in a law, business, or public policy program. Each student may submit only one paper. Co-authored papers will be accepted.
Deadline: June 30, 2020Trademark Law
Gerben Law Firm, PLLC Assisting the Next Generation of Trademark Attorneys Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,500Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must demonstrate an interest in Trademark Law. Applicants must be currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school for at least one semester, with a GPA over 2.5 GPA of 3.0.
Deadline: July 31, 2020 -
Veterans or Active Military
Ankin Law Office 2020 Scholarship for Military Veterans
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: Please write an essay of 1,000 words or less on the following topic: List advantages and disadvantages, as well as the dangers of taking a bicycle to workEligibility Criteria: This scholarship is open to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces and immediate family members (parents, children) who will be enrolled full-time in fall 2020 in an accredited community college or university (undergraduate or graduate), earning credits toward a degree (associate, baccalaureate, or graduate).
Deadline: June 15, 2020Chisholm Chisolm & Kilpatrick LTD Law School School Scholarship for Veterans
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Essay Topic: Please answer one of these essay prompt (1000 word essay):- How did your experience in the military inspire you in your education and career aspirations?
- How did your military experience prepare you for law school and a career practicing law?
Eligibility Criteria: Veterans of all branches of the U.S. military are eligible to apply. Applicant must be enrolled for the Fall 2020 term; may be an incoming or current law student. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (incoming students - undergrad GPA and current students - law school GPA).
Deadline: June 15, 2020Education Connection Military Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: How has your military service prepared you to enhance your education. The essay must be limited to 250 words.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be active duty, honorably discharged, veteran, or a spouse from any branch of the military.
Deadline: September 30, 2020Keller Law Office Annual Scholarship for Military Veterans
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: Please write an essay of 500 words or less on the following topic:- Veteran: Describe the two most important things you learned about life during your military career and how these may have affected your civilian career choice.
- Family Member: Discuss what advice you would give to a younger person whose parent(s) is serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Eligibility Criteria: This scholarship is open to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces and immediate family members (parents, children) who will be enrolled full-time in fall 2020 in an accredited community college or university (undergraduate or graduate), earning credits toward a degree (associate, baccalaureate, or graduate).
Deadline: July 15, 2020Matthew L Sharp Annual Military Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: Please write an essay of 1500 words or less on the following topic: Driverless vehicles are becoming more of a reality. Who should bear the responsibility for damages caused by a crash involving driverless cars?Eligibility Criteria: This scholarship is open to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces and immediate family members (parents, children) who will be enrolled full-time in fall 2020 in an accredited community college or university (undergraduate or graduate), earning credits toward a degree (associate, baccalaureate, or graduate).
Deadline: July 15, 2020Strom & Associates Annual Military Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Essay Topic: Create a “Distracted Driving Family Plan” within which you address the safety of your family by proactively committing to a plan that avoids the occurrence(s) of distracted driving by you and the members of your family. (1000 word limit).Eligibility Criteria: This scholarship is open to military veterans of the United States Armed Forces and immediate family members (parents, children) who will be enrolled full-time in fall 2020 in an accredited community college or university (undergraduate or graduate), earning credits toward a degree (associate, baccalaureate, or graduate).
Deadline: July 15, 2020 -
Women
AAUW Educational Foundation: Selected Professions Fellowship
Award Amount: $5,000 - $18,000
Selected Professions Fellowships are awarded to women who intend to pursue a full-time course of study at accredited U.S. institutions during the fellowship year in one of the designated degree programs where women’s participation traditionally has been low. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be a 3L; Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Deadline: December 1, 2020Impact Scholarship: American Business Women's Association, Greater Oakland Charter Chapter
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a female, U.S. citizen with a primary residence in Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Livingston, Washtenaw, or Wayne counties. Applicants must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 and intend to be enrolled for the Fall 2020 term. As the scholarship can only cover tuition, fees, and books the applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: May 15, 2020Empowering Women in Law Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria: Female applicant who has successfully completed at least one semester of law school but will not have graduated by Fall 2020.
Deadline: May 31, 2020Mike Eidson Scholarship - an AAJ Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a rising 3L or 4L female student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a plaintiff lawyer or criminal defense lawyer. The recipient must be present at the Annual Convention for American Association of Justice July 11-14, 2020 in Washington DC; travel and accommodations will be paid for as a part of the award.
Deadline: May 1, 2020The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
Scholarship Amount: $3,500The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of the 2020 awards to outstanding women law students, funded by generous contributions from individuals, law firms, and corporations. This year, $42,000 will be awarded statewide to 12 outstanding women law students attending Michigan’s five accredited law schools (University of Michigan Law School, Western Michigan Cooley Law School, Michigan State University College of Law, Wayne State University Law School, and University of Detroit Mercy School of Law).
Deadline: TBD
Additional Scholarship Resources
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