FINANCIAL AID

Information and Advice Regarding Financial Aid

  1. There are different types of financial aid available to law students – generally loans but also grants, scholarships and fellowships.
  2. You must meet certain qualifications for federal student financial aid.
  3. Apply for financial aid early and fill out forms correctly and completely.
  4. Once accepted into law school and if you’ve filled out all of the proper forms, you will probably receive a financial aid package which will be loans, but may include some funding from scholarships or fellowships.
  5. Create a pre-law school admissions budget.
  6. Read up on and get fully informed about all of the possible financial aid options.
  7. Read practical guides to budgeting and financial management.
  8. Realistically assess your financial situation.
  9. Start thinking about budgeting now because while in law school you must budget carefully.
  10. Order a credit report to determine the status of your credit history, and if necessary, get your credit in order.
  11. If you have defaulted on a previous federal or private student loan, you may be unable to get further loan assistance.
  12. The federal government has no credit requirements for its educational loans but private lenders do.
  13. Seek out credit counseling services if you need them.
  14. Try to avoid using credit cards, minimize or get out of current debt, and try to have money saved up before starting law school..
  15. Contact the financial aid officers at law schools for more information
  16. Seriously consider what law school options would make the most sense for you financially.
  17. Seek out scholarships from private sources because every little bit helps.
  18. Consider participating in programs including AmeriCorps and Teach for America which offer education awards to participants if you want to into public interest work.
  19. Ask about and look into Loan Repayment Assistance Programs at the schools you are applying to or in the states where you are considering practicing law.
  20. You may be granted work study to help defray the high costs of receiving a legal education.
  21. Working more than a minimal number of hours (usually 20 hours a week) while a law student is not advisable.
  22. Consider the actual amount of money you will have to pay in repayments on a monthly basis.
  23. The big payback of your educational loans begins six months after you graduate from law school

Financial Aid Information Websites

Access America for Students

Access Group: Student Loans and Financial Aid Services
Access Group – Need Access Diskette

AFSA Data Corporation
A FleetBoston Financial Company

Collegeboard.com – Paying for College
College Scholarship Service (CSS)/ Financial Aid PROFILE

Phone: 1-800-778-6888

Student Financial Assistance: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education

Yahoo’s List of Financial Aid Resources
Website: http://dir.yahoo.com/business_and_economy/companies/education/financial_aid/

Minority Law Student Scholarships and Fellowships

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship – NAACP Education Department
Eligibility Requirements: Current regular members of the NAACP for at least one-year or fully paid life members, under the age of 25 before the deadline, must be a full-time student and have at least a 3.0 (B) GPA.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Application Deadline: April 30
Contact Information: 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215, call 410-358-8900, fax 410-358-1607

Allen E. Broussard Scholarship Foundation
Eligibility Requirements: Minority students. Selection based on academic achievement, dedication to public service and strong character.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Contact Information: Jill Dessalines c/o McKesson Corporation, One Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, (415) 983-7680, Web Site:

American Association of Law Libraries
AALL George Strait Minority Stipend
Eligibility Requirements: Minority college graduates with law library experience and financial need who are degree candidates at an accredited law or library school.
Scholarship Amount: $3,500
Application Deadline: April 1
Contact Information: American Association of Law Libraries, Attn: Rachel Shaevel, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 940, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 939-4764, E-Mail: membership@aall.org

American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education
American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Eligibility Requirements: Minority students applying to law school.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: March 1
Contact Information: Call (312) 988-5404 or e-mail Nancy Cowger Slonim at slonimn@staff.abanet.org

American Bar Association Business Law Section CLEO Fellows Business Law Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Must be first or second year law student who participated in CLEO, is member of the ABA Law Student Division and is pursuing a career in business law. Must write an essay.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 maximum
Contact Information: Zenaida Arroyo, ABA Business Law Section, CLEO Fellows Scholarship, 750 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611, E-Mail: arroyoz@staff.abanet.org

American Association of University Women
Selected Professional Fellowships
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a female, full-time student, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, member of ethnic minority group historically underrepresented in the (legal) profession. Entering first year of study in year fellowship was to be awarded. Must demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 to $10,000
Application Deadline: January 10
Contact Information: AAUW, Department 60, 2201 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4030

Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA)
Richard D. Hailey Law Student Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements: First-year and second-year minority ATLA law student members with interest and proficiency in trial advocacy, desire to represent victims, commitment to and involvement in ATLA, and demonstrated financial need. Selection based on essay and recommendations.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: May 1
Contact Information: Attn: Michelle Haynes, 1050 31st Street, NW, ATLA Minority Caucus, Washington, DC 20007, (800) 424-2725, extension 278 or (202) 944-2827

Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati
William A. McClain Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: African American law student, resident of Cincinnati. Selection based on demonstrated leadership skills, commitment to the Cincinnati community, and financial need.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: March 16
Contact Information: Attn: Michelle L. Jeffrey, Esq., BLAC Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 3181, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, (513) 629-2724

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Eligibility Requirements: Second-year and third-year day law students and fourth-year night law student. Selection based on financial need, community service, academic achievement, and legal writing.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: March 17
Contact Information: BWL, c/o Scholarship Selection Committee, P.O. Box 8179, Los Angeles, CA 90008

D. Augustus Straker Bar Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Minority enrolled in an accredited Michigan law school. Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Application Deadline: March 30
Contact Information: Attn: Foundation Board, D. Augustus Straker Bar Foundation Scholarship, P.O. Box 1898, Troy, MI 48099-1898

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Sadie T. M. Alexander Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Dues-paying members of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. with meritorious achievement. Non-members may also be considered.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 – $2,000 (varies)
Application Deadline: March 15
Contact Information: Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Sadie T. M. Alexander, 1707 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202) 986-2400

Earl Warren Legal Training Program, Inc. Civil Rights Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Entering full-time, first-year Black law students, U.S. citizens, who have displayed outstanding community service, exceptional academic records and strong recommendations. Preference given to applicants with well-defined interests in civil rights and community service
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 per year/3 years and $2,500 summer grant for internship with the Legal Defense Fund
Application Deadline: March 15
Contact Information: The Earl Warren Legal Training Program, 99 Hudson Street, Suite 1600, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10013 or call 212-219-1900.

Earl Warren Legal Training Program, Inc. Public Interest Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Entering full-time Black law students, U.S. citizens, who have a commitment to public interest law. Will pledge to work one year in public interest law for each year of scholarship assistance provided.
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 per year/3 years and $2,500 summer grant for internship with the Legal Defense Fund
Application Deadline: March 15
Contact Information: The Earl Warren Legal Training Program, 99 Hudson Street, Suite 1600, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10013 or call 212-219-1900.

East West Center
Contact Information: 1777 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848

Florida Minority Participation in Legal Education Program
Pre-Law Scholarships (Freshmen)
Eligibility Requirements: Member of historically disadvantaged minority group underrepresented in Florida bar membership. Must be a freshman at a public or private regionally accredited four-year college or university in the State of Florida. Must be U.S. citizen, Florida resident attending a public or private regionally-accredited, four-year institution in Florida. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA to continue in sophomore year. Scholarship Amount: Annual tuition, fees, room and board, up to the full cost at public schools, up to 40% of full cost at private schools, plus annual reimbursement for up to $700 for books and supplies
Application Deadline: May 31
Contact Information: Florida Education Fund, MPLE Office, 15485 Eagle Nest Lane, Suite 200, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014, (305) 364-3111

Florida Minority Participation in Legal Education Program
Pre-Law Scholarships (Sophomore, Junior and Senior)
Eligibility Requirements: Member of underrepresented, historically disadvantaged minority group, U.S. citizen, Florida resident attending a public or private regionally-accredited, four-year institution in Florida. Must intend to attend a Florida law school. Must maintain a 3.25 GPA.
Scholarship Amount: Annual tuition, fees, room and board, up to the full cost at public schools, up to 40% of full cost at private schools, plus annual reimbursement for up to $700 for books and supplies. Up to $7,000 annually
Application Deadline: May 31
Contact Information: Florida Education Fund, MPLE Office, 15485 Eagle Nest Lane, Suite 200, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014, (305) 364-3111
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Florida Minority Participation in Legal Education Program
Law Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements: Member of underrepresented, historically disadvantaged minority group, U.S. citizen, Florida resident. Must receive or hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, must take or have already taken the LSAT. Must have the intention to practice law in the state of Florida for equal period in which financial assistance was provided. Selection based on merit, potential for success, financial need and intention to sit for the Florida bar exam. Students must enroll at one of the following schools: Florida Coastal School of Law, Florida State University College of Law, Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law Center, St. Thomas University School of Law, Stetson University College of Law, University of Florida College of Law and University of Miami School of Law
Scholarship Amount: Up to $10,000/year for selected students at private Florida law schools and up to $4,500 /year for selected students at public Florida law schools, plus annual stipends of up to $11,000
Application Deadline: June 28
Contact Information: Contact any Florida law school or write to Florida Education Fund, MPLE Office, 18350 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, Miami, FL 33169, 305-654-7133

Foley & Lardner Minority Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: First-year minority law students attending the following law schools: Duke, University of Florida, Georgetown, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Stanford University, University of California at Los Angeles and University of Wisconsin.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: September 30
Contact Information: Foley & Lardner Minority Scholarship, Foley & Lardner Attorneys at Law, Firstar Center, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202-5367, (414) 297-4900?

Fredrickson & Byron Foundation Minority Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Minority first-year law students interested in entering private law practice.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: April 1
Contact Information: Attn: Greta Larson, Fredrickson & Byron, P.A., 1100 International Center, 900 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55402, (612) 347-7141

J.L. Turner Legal Association
Fred Finch, Jr. Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: African-American second-year or third-year law student in good academic standing with connections to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Application Deadline: September 29
Contact Information: Attn: Karen Whitaker, 9514 Millridge Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75243, (817) 978-6478

King County Bar Foundation
Minority Law Student Scholarship
Contact Information: Contact the University of Washington School of Law and/or Seattle University School of Law

LULAC National Educational Service Center Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements: Minority group member or from a low-income background. Selection based on academic merit, achievement, honors and financial need.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $1,000
Application Deadline: March 31 (varies)
Contact Information: LULAC National Educational Service Center, 400 First Street, NW, Suite 716, Washington, DC 20001

Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association
Eligibility Requirements: A full-time law student entering the second year, in good academic standing at an accredited law school that has exhibited a commitment to community service and dedicated to the ideals of the organization and has demonstrated financial need.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: October 1
Contact Information: Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association, Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 8147, St. Albans, New York 11412, (212) 668-5632

Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Scholarship Fund, Inc.
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a second or third-year minority student demonstrating merit, financial need and leadership abilities.
Scholarship Amount: Varies.
Application Deadline: June 30
Contact Information: 158 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, (718) 452-4045

National Bar Institute African-American Law Student Fellowship Program
Eligibility Requirements: Full-time African American law student who has completed at least two consecutive years of law school, has demonstrated a commitment to creating equality and justice for African-Americans through their work in his/her law school, neighborhood and community, and intends to return to a Black community to practice law after completing legal training.
Scholarship Amount: Range $1,000 to $10,000
Application Deadline: May 14
Contact Information: National Bar Institute, 1225 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001-4217, (202) 842-3900

National Black Law Students Association
Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Second or third-year law student and dues-paying member of the Black Law Students Association. Selection based on an essay written about NBLA’s theme.
Scholarship Amount: At least $500
Application Deadline: February 23
Contact Information: Contact the National Black Law Students Association National Office at 202-842-3900

National Black Law Students Association
Nelson Mandela Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Entering or enrolled law students. Selection based on financial need, community service, strong academic record. Recipient also chosen based on proposal geared towards on area of law as it reflects NBLSA’s theme.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: February 15
Contact Information: Contact the NBLSA National Office at 202-842-3900

New York State Bar Association
Minority Fellowship in Environmental Law
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a first, second or third year evening student, member of a minority group with a demonstrated interest in environmental law, and demonstrated academic achievement and leadership ability.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 stipend with participation in a 10-week summer internship with a government environmental agency or public interest environmental organization in New York State, expense-paid trips to annual spring and fall meetings of New York State Bar Association’s State Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section and participation in monthly dinner meeting of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York’s Committee on Environmental Law
Application Deadline: January 3
Contact Information: Fellowships in Environmental Law, New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, (518) 463-3200, E-Mail: kplog@nysba.org

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
New York State Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements: Must have been a legal resident of New York State for one year prior to the academic year of the award and if given award, must practice in chosen profession in New York. First priority given to candidates who are economically disadvantaged and minority group member historically underrepresented in the profession. Second priority given to any candidate who is a minority group member underrepresented in the profession. Third priority given to any candidate enrolled in or graduated from one of the state-sponsored opportunity programs.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 to $5,000 per year (up to four years)
Application Deadline: May 1
Contact Information: The State Education Department, New York State Scholarship Unit, Bureau of Professional Career Opportunity Programs, Cultural Education Center – Room 5C64, Albany, NY 12230, (518) 486-1319

Procter and Gamble Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Second-year or third-year minority law students interested in practicing patent law
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: April 30
Contact Information: Attn: Lory Attalla, Director of Admission, Franklin Pierce Law Center, The Procter & Gamble Scholarship, 2 White Street, Concord, NH 03301, (603) 228-9217, E-Mail: lattalla@fplc.edu

Sachs Foundation
Eligibility Requirements: African American residents of Colorado with GPA of at least 3.6. Selection based on area of study and life goals.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $3,000 a year
Application Deadline: February 15
Contact Information: Norwest Tower, 90 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 1410, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, (719) 633-2353

Sherman & Sterling and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: African American applying to law school. Renewable for second and third years of law school contingent upon acceptable academic record and progress. Selection based on demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, career achievement, as well as commitment to public service and the legal profession.
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Contact Information: The Earl Warren Legal Training Program, Inc., Attn: Sherman & Sterling Scholarship Program, 99 Hudson Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10013, (212) 965-2200

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Law School Award

Warner, Norcross & Judd, LLP Attorneys at Law
Minority Scholarships
Eligibility Requirements: Minority students interested in pursuing a career in law.
Scholarship Amounts: $5,000 (law student), $2,000 (legal assistant student), $1,000 (legal secretarial student)
Application Deadline: May 1
Contact Information: Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 209C Waters Building, 161 Ottawa Avenue, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, (616) 454-1751

Wiley Manuel Law Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Minority students entering law schools in the University of California system.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: April
Contact Information: Law Offices of George Holland, 1970 Broadway, Suite 900, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 465-4100

Wolverine Bar Association
Damon J. Keith Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Law students who have completed their first semester of their first year of law school. Selection based on commitment to social equality and combating racism.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 and up
Application Deadline: March 17
Contact Information: Wolverine Bar Association, The Scholarship Committee, 645 Griswold, Suite 1747, Detroit, MI 48226, (313) 962-0250, fax (313) 962-5906

Wolverine Bar Association
Wolverine Bar Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Minority law students in good academic standing enrolled in Michigan law schools or are Michigan residents enrolled in law schools outside of the state. Selection based on financial need and academic merit.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 and up
Application Deadline: March 17
Contact Information: Wolverine Bar Association, The Scholarship Committee, 645 Griswold, Suite 1747, Detroit, MI 48226, (313) 962-0250, fax (313) 962-5906

FastWeb’s Scholarship Search

Online Scholarship Search Engine

Private Student Loans

Access Group Law Access Loans (LAL)
Phone: 1-800-282-1550

Chase Bank
Chase Signature Loan
Phone: 1-800-242-7339

Citibank Corporation/studentloan.com
The Student Loan Corporation
CitiAssist
Phone: 1-800-745-5473

eStudentLoan.com Loan Finder

Household Bank
PAL
Private educational loan
Phone: 1-800-347-8209

Key Education Resources Program or Key Bank USA
Law Achiever Loans
Phone: Key Education Resource Line – 1-800-KEY-LEND

Nellie Mae, Inc.
GradEXCEL or Excell (Family Education Loans)
Phone: 1-800-634-9308

Nellie Mae LOAN LINK: Resource for Student Loan Information

Sallie Mae
LawLoans Program
Phone: 1-888-2-SALLIE/1-888-272-5543

The Educational Resources Institute (TERI)
Phone: 1-800-255-TERI

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