Hispanic students residing in the US who intend to pursue a law degree or are already in an LLM program are eligible for a number of scholarships to assist with the cost of their education. In this blog post, I have curated a list of law school scholarships for Hispanic students and if you are one, then by all means, go ahead and apply for them.
Just as how there are law scholarships for first-generation students there are also law scholarships for Hispanic students and I think most of the information you need is already in the title. This is a specific kind of scholarship meaning that only Hispanics who intend to enter law school or are already in law school are eligible to apply for those scholarship awards.
Hispanic students are among the minorities in the US and a large number of their population cannot afford college and thus couldn’t pursue their dream careers. There are other scholarships in the US for Hispanic students not just for law but for other degree programs as well.
Law school in the US is expensive and since most Hispanic families live below the poverty line, they are unable to afford law school but this scholarship is here as a solution. Law school scholarships for Hispanic students are targeted only to Hispanic students who intend to enter law school and pursue an LLM.
The scholarships have varying requirements and value because they are provided by various donors which include but are not limited to colleges and universities, Hispanic law firms, and state and federal government.
As a Hispanic student, you are not limited to just the law scholarships listed here, you can also apply for other general law school scholarships but they will be much more competitive compared to the ones meant for Hispanics alone. However, you can stand above the competition by having a high LSAT score and GPA, gaining relevant work experience, writing impressive essays and statements of purpose, and applying early.
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How Much is Law School in the US?
The cost of law school in the US is between $88,830 to $159,102 per year.
How to get into Law School in the US
In six simple steps, you can get into any law school in the US.
1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
Before entering law school, you must have completed and earned a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university. You should also graduate with a high GPA or a GPA that matches the requirement of your school of choice because this is what law schools focus on the most.
2. Pass the LSAT
The LSAT is the Law School Admission Test and you will need to take the test and pass it as part of the application process into law school. The LSAT is a 4-section, multiple-choice test that includes reading, comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning questions.
Each law school set its own LSAT score so you would have to check in with your host institution to know what theirs is and prepare rigorously to ace the test.
3. Request for your Transcripts
Even when you were about to enter a bachelor’s degree program, your transcripts were required as part of the application process. Transcripts are usually required when enrolling into a new school to study for a new program and law schools are no different.
So, request your transcripts from previously attended institutions as they will be required as part of the admission application process into law school. It is also used to assess and qualify you for entrance scholarships.
4. Personal Statement
The personal statement is usually required for every graduate program and is also one of the requirements for admission into law school. A personal statement allows you to present yourself to the admissions committee through writing, it is more like a reflection of your true self but ensure that you keep to the maximum number of words required by your host institution.
Your statement should include your career goals, academic achievement, relevant experience, and any other information you feel is relevant.
5. Obtain Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are often required for graduate study and since law is a graduate program, it is required by law schools across the US. To obtain your letters of recommendation, you should ask your former professor and/or employer to write you one. Recommendation letters aim to help the school see how the people who used to work with you or taught you saw your character and if they can vouch for your abilities.
6. Start Applying to Law Schools
After you have gathered the necessary documents and satisfied other requirements then you can begin your application to law school. You should consider applying to more than two law schools to increase your chances of acceptance. If you do not know which law schools to apply to, the list below will guide you.
Best Law Schools in the US for Hispanic Students
If you are a Hispanic student looking to pursue a career in law, the following schools are the best ones for you.
- Stanford Law School
- Florida State University College of Law
- The University of Colorado Law School
- UCLA School of Law
- The University of San Francisco School of Law
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
- The University of Puerto Rico
- Inter-American University
- St. Thomas University
- Florida International University
- CUNY School of Law
- St. Mary’s University
- Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
- Barry University
- The University of North Texas Dallas
These law schools in the US accept Hispanic students more than other student races and will be your best option as there is a higher chance of you getting accepted into their law programs.
Law School Scholarships for Hispanic Students
The following are law school scholarships that Hispanic students can apply for:
- The HLS Latino Scholarship Fund
- Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Scholarship/Stipend Opportunities
- General VIA Law Student Scholarships
- Latinx Rights Scholarship
- Steinger, Greene & Feiner Hispanic Heritage Law Student Scholarship
- Underrepresented and Oppressed Law Students Scholarships
- Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
- Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program
1. The HLS Latino Scholarship Fund
The HLS Latino Scholarship Fund is provided by the Harvard Law School through the collective effort of numerous alumni to support Latino students seeking to study law at Harvard. It was established in 2017 and the opportunities have extended to so many Latino students who are also part of the Hispanic community.
This scholarship offers Hispanic students to study law at the world’s top institution and graduate with a reputable degree and experience that will open many doors of opportunities for them.
2. Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Scholarship/Stipend Opportunities
The Hispanic Bar Association (HNBA) in partnership with VIA Fund offers several scholarships annually to Hispanic law students in the US. The scholarships are aimed at giving Hispanic students unrestricted access to quality education and professional success. The fund will help settle the cost of law school, bar preparation courses, educational materials, and living expenses.
To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need, be in good academic standing, have an outstanding academic record, and be committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal community.
3. General VIA Law Student Scholarships
The General VIA Law Student Scholarships is for Hispanic law students in the US and its territories and all Hispanic law students are eligible regardless of immigration status. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an accredited law school in the US, a current year 1-3 or LLM student with good grades, involved in the Hispanic community, and an active member of the HNBA Law Student Division.
Application documents are a personal statement, resume, transcript, clear professional photograph, two letters of recommendation, and financial information.
4. Latinx Rights Scholarship
This is one of the law scholarships for Hispanic students and it is offered by NYU School of Law. The Latinx Rights Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship awarded each year to two incoming law students. Candidates are selected based on a commitment to social justice, leadership characteristics, academic excellence, and interest in pursuing a career in public interest law.
5. Steinger, Greene & Feiner Hispanic Heritage Law Student Scholarship
This scholarship offers $1,000 to one Hispanic law student living in Florida to support and contribute towards their law education as well as motivate and encourage them. To be eligible for the award, you must be enrolled in an accredited US law school or if you are still in an undergraduate program but intend to study law.
Additionally, you must have a minimum of 2.8 GPA and submit both an unofficial transcript and an essay. The application for the Steinger, Greene & Feiner Hispanic Heritage Law Student Scholarship is online.
6. Underrepresented and Oppressed Law Student’s Scholarships
This scholarship was established by the Colorado Lawyer Team and offered annually to underrepresented and oppressed law students which includes Hispanic law students. The scholarship aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal field by offering a scholarship award to the minority population.
If you identify as a minority and intend to pursue a law degree or are already enrolled in law school, you are eligible to apply and get $1,000. Additionally, you must be a legal resident of the US, be in good academic standing with a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and submit a professional resume displaying your professional and academic experience, a transcript from your current school, and a 1,000-word essay describing the adversities you have faced as a minority.
7. Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
The above-named scholarship was created by the American Bar Association (ABA) to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school and provide them with financial assistance to achieve their goals. Since Hispanics are among the minority group, this makes you eligible for this award.
The scholarship provides $15,000 each to 10-20 first-year law students over their three years of law school and it is offered every year so if you missed it this year, check in next year. Applicants are also required to have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 at their undergraduate institution. You will not be eligible if you have completed one or more semesters in law school.
8. Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program
The Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program is targeted to minority law students which makes Hispanics qualify as well since they are one of the underrepresented groups. The program awards $10,000 as well as other non-financial assistance to selected scholars during the law school admissions process and throughout law school, which makes it $30,000 in total.
In addition to the criteria, you must be a STEM-educated individual intending to apply or already applied to an ABA-accredited law school to explore a career in patent law in the US. You will further be required to provide a personal statement and a current FAFSA as evidence of financial need. Applicants are assessed based on financial need and merit.
While these are the law scholarships targeted specifically for Hispanic students, they are not the only scholarships that they can apply for. They can also qualify for entrance awards and other merit and need-based scholarships. If you are the first in your family to pursue a law degree, then you are eligible to apply for first-generation law scholarships.
Spread your wings and apply for as many law scholarships as you can find but ensure you fit into the criteria before putting in the effort to apply for them.
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