For many students, becoming a lawyer has been a lifelong dream and ambition. Unfortunately, in order to achieve that dream, students must make their way through law school which can be a large expense for most students to undertake, even with the prospect of a profitable job after graduation. Fortunately, there are some scholarships out there that can help cut the cost of a quality legal education.

When applying for law school scholarships, students should expect to have to fulfill several basic requirements when they apply. First, they will generally have to already be accepted to a law school program. Secondly, students will need to have done well in their previous academic studies and meet a minimum GPA. Finally, financial need is generally a large factor and students with the most need will receive preferential status.

Many scholarships are offered directly though the school the student plans to attend. Students who have been accepted to the school will be able to apply directly for scholarships that give full or partial tuition. Students should check with the school they are attending or plan to attend to see what is available to them. Keep in mind that most scholarships are offered to first years students.

Other scholarships are available to students who are of certain minority groups. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association offers scholarships to students of Asian Pacific heritage who meet the standards laid out by the association. There are a number of other minority scholarships offered to students from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds to encourage their participation in the legal profession.

Law School Scholarships

• NBLS Nelson Mandela Scholarship: $1,000 awarded each year to six black undergraduate and graduate students majoring in law.
• William S. Bullinger Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to five undergraduate or graduate students majoring in law.
• MALDEF Law School Scholarship: $7,000 to Hispanic law students who plan to or have made a difference in the Latino community.
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Trial Advocacy Scholarship: $2,500 to law students with an interest in trial law.
• Attorney-CPA Foundation Scholarship: $250-$1,000 to second year law students who hold a CPA certificate.
• Federal Circuit Bar Association Giles S. Rich Scholarship: $10,000 to one law student demonstrating financial need and academic promise.