We all know how expensive law school can be, including textbooks.
Many students graduate with significant debt because of that.
For this reason, many students look for ways to reduce their expenses while in school. Getting a full scholarship to law school might probably be the best way out.
Some students are wondering how hard it is to get a scholarship for law school and that is what this article is about.
How Hard Is It To Get Scholarship For Law School- Types Of Scholarship
Scholarships are an important part of funding your law school education. But with so many people going to law school, competition for scholarships can be really scary.
Getting a scholarship requires time, research, dedication, and planning. Let’s look at various types of scholarships:
Need-Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded by law schools based on a student’s financial need.
And to get it, you will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). the financial aid assessment form of your chosen law school, if applicable.
Merit-Based Scholarships
As the name implies, merit-based scholarships are given based on merit.
Many law schools offer merit-based scholarships based on academic attainment, mainly your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA.
Merit-based scholarships can also be given to second and third-year law students upon achieving academic excellence in their first year as law students.
When it comes to this type of scholarship, you may need to spend more time writing papers and creating templates on topics important to law, such as domestic violence.
It also goes beyond law schools. It can come from law organizations, law firms, and other institutions.
Criteria-Based Scholarships
Criteria-based scholarships are awarded when a student meets specific guidelines.
For example, a university can offer a scholarship specifically to fund existing undergraduates that wish to attend law school there.
Criteria-based law scholarships can also come from external sources, such as a law firm that wants to recruit a student or a fund for people who want to study certain types of law, or a law firm looking to recruit students.
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships are for students who meet some criteria, but these criteria are set up by a specific donor who creates the qualifications.
These requirements may be for people who are pursuing a certain field of law.
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Where Can You Find A Law School Scholarship?
Law Schools
You first place to look for scholarships at the law school that you applied for.
Many schools prefer to give merit or need-based scholarships to their students.
If you are looking for a more specialized scholarship, you may need to make some additional applications.
Law Firms
Law firms offer scholarships. But some of them may require the students to work at that firm after graduation.
Those law firms’ scholarships include The Arent Fox Annual Diversity Scholarship Program, The Ward Greenberg Diversity Scholarship Program, and many others.
Law Organizations And Associations
Some legal organizations and associations offer scholarships to law students such as:
- The American Association for Justice- offers four different scholarships that vary from $3,000 to $5,000
- The American Bar Association Legal Opportunity — provides from 10 to 20 students with $15.000 in their first three years of law school.
- 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.
Some websites are also available for a scholarship search. Such as:
· Unigo
· UpCounsel
· Scholarships.com
· AdmissionsDean
· LSAT
8 Law School Scholarship Tips
There are many ways you can get your scholarship opportunities before and during your time as a law school student:
1. Have A Test Prep Plan
Ensure that you study and prepare for your LSAT exams because the score is a significant factor in deciding what merit-based scholarships you will be able to achieve.
Try to evaluate the median LSAT score of the law schools you’re applying to in order to see if your LSAT score will make you an above-average applicant.
2. Polish Your Application
Every part of your law school application counts. Be detailed in writing your application.
Make sure you proofread your application to avoid typos and grammatical errors.
Your application can often be the deciding factor between you and another student with similar academic credentials when it comes to scholarships.
3. Apply Early
Full scholarships are often given exclusively to early decision applicants.
Applying to law school early can help you optimize your scholarship chances, as scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis.
But wait! If you want to evaluate a variety of options rather than committing to one school, an early decision program isn’t for you.
4. Don’t Rule Yourself Out
Even if you think you won’t get a scholarship, there’s no harm in applying except for the time you’ll spend on the application.
Be positive and apply, don’t shy away from the fact that it’s competitive.
5. Read The Fine Print
Pay attention to scholarship requirements and conditions before applying.
This is very important because the scholarship may come with strings attached, such as working in the public sector.
You have to make sure you’re ready to make whatever commitment is required before applying.
6.Negotiate Your Scholarship
Just like job proposals, you can negotiate your law school scholarship.
If you get a high scholarship from other schools, save the offer letter (or get the information in writing if it was discussed verbally).
Attach a copy in a formal email to your desired law school and ask if they’re willing to match the scholarship offer.
Don’t cast your net too wide with this approach, save it for schools you really want to attend!
Conclusion
Finally, before you choose to apply for a Scholarship, you may want to take a moment and figure out which you should go for and how to go about it.
There are many law scholarships within everyone’s reach, and even in some cases, they can be negotiable. Good luck!