Everything you need to know about scholarships for first-generation law students is detailed in this blog post and you can begin applying for them directly from here if you fit into the criteria. Let’s get started.
Understanding scholarships and how they work is just as important as applying for one and I say this from a place of expertise as one who has been creating articles on scholarship guides for several years. Your chances of getting a scholarship increase when you get a better understanding of that particular scholarship you want to apply for or of any other one for that matter.
Also, with this understanding you stand above other competitors because you have better knowledge of what that scholarship really requires and you just go on ahead and add them to your application. So, before we get into the list of scholarships for first-generation law students, let’s briefly understand how scholarships work.
A scholarship is non-refundable money that is awarded to a deserving student to either cover the entire cost or some part of their college tuition. There are need-based and merit-based scholarships, the former is awarded based on financial need thus your financial statement may be required, while the latter is awarded based on academic achievement, athletic performance, or achievement in a particular field or interest.
Need-based awards are often referred to as bursaries and also note that scholarships and bursaries are not the only forms of financial aid that do not require the recipient to pay back. There are also grants and fellowships which you should also be on the lookout for as they can contribute tremendously towards reducing or covering the cost of your college education.
The sources of these financial aid packages are but not limited to state and federal government, universities and colleges, alumni, associations such as the NRA scholarships, companies, charity organizations, foundations like the Mastercard Foundation, and individuals.
Very importantly and to save you the stress, understand that there are different scholarships, funded by various sources, targeted for some specific people, and have varying requirements and eligibility criteria. To offer more clarity, if, for instance, you are not an athlete and have no record of ever being an athlete but you apply for an athletic scholarship then you have just wasted your time applying for that award because you are never going to get it.
You did not get it simply because the scholarships were targeted for athletes but you applied without being one yourself. The same logic equally applies to scholarships for first-generation law students thus if you applied without fitting into the description of a first-gen intending to enter a law program or already in one you will not be considered for the award.
So, ensure that for every scholarship you want to apply for that you really fit into the criteria and you are not just applying for the sake of it. Additionally, review scholarship requirements very carefully and if you are certain that you check all the boxes then click on that apply button, apply, and claim the award.
Armed with this knowledge, let’s go on with the list of scholarships for first-gen law students but before we get into that, you already know me, I like to give a bit of clarity.
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What are First-Generation Law School Students
First-gen students are students who are first in their family to attend college, that is, their parents either didn’t attend college at all or dropped out. So, first-gen law school students are students whose parents did not study law nor completed a law degree.
So, if you fit into the description above then you are a first-generation student and if you wish to pursue a degree in law or are already in a law program you are eligible to apply for any of the scholarships here and also for other law school scholarships.
Having said that, let’s dive into the main topic.
Scholarships for First-Generation Law Students
The high cost of law education is one of the major reasons why many are not able to pursue their dream and especially for first-generation students, it is easier for them to give up on this dream because there is no one in the family to look up to.
That, and many other reasons, are why scholarships for first-generation law students are set up to motivate, encourage, recognize their potential, and financially support their dream through scholarship provision.
Below is a compiled list of scholarships, grants, bursaries, and fellowships available to first-generation law students, carefully review each of their requirements before applying.
- The Law Offices of David A. Kadzai, LLC First Generation College Student Scholarship
- General Counsel, P.C. First Generation Law Student Scholarship
- Fowler School of Law First Generation Scholars Program
- The Gutierrez Law Firm First of US Scholarship
- InjuredICT First Generation Law Student Scholarship
- AEF First Generation Law Student Scholarship
- Suffolk University Law School First Generation College Student Scholarship
- AnBryce Scholarship Program
- First – Start Scholars Fund
- Loudermilk Family First – Start Scholars Fund
- Yancey Family Scholarship Fund in the School of Law
- Judge B. Avant Edenfield Scholarship
1. The Law Offices of David A. Kadzai, LLC First Generation College Student Scholarship
This is one of the first-gen law student scholarships awarded by the above-named law firm to help make higher education more attainable for those who are embarking on the journey. To be considered, you must, of course, be a first-generation college student, and be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited higher institution in the US.
Additionally, your minimum age must be 17 years old to apply and you must be a permanent resident or citizen of the US. There are other requirements you will find on the scholarships page by clicking on the link below. The value of the Law Offices of David A. Kadzai, LLC First Generation College Student Scholarship is $2,500.
2. General Counsel, P.C. First Generation Law Student Scholarship
During my research to write this article, I noticed that the above-named scholarship popped up everywhere and was talked about by a few law schools in the US, so I thought to myself that this could probably be the most popular and the best scholarship for law students who are first generation. Let’s find out.
The General Counsel, P.C. First Generation Law Student Scholarship was established in 2018 to support, recognize, and reward excellence to first-generation law students. The scholarship is offered every year, which is a good thing, and awarded to the first 50 students whose applications have been received. Once it gets to 50, no more applications would be accepted.
To be eligible, you must be the first in your family to attend a law school, you must be in your second year in an accredited law school in the US, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in your first-year of law, and be a permanent resident or citizen of the US that is 18 years or older. Essays, one letter of recommendation, a law school transcript, and a resume are among the documents you will send in with your application.
3. Fowler School of Law First Generation Scholars Program
Fowler School of Law is the law school of Chapman University offering scholarship programs to those who are the first in their family to earn a college degree. The scholarship is set up to enhance their academic success, professional development, and personal growth.
Although the value of the scholarship is not disclosed there are some events set up for such students to develop them professionally and also to connect them to opportunities as well as mentor programs that will help students connect with upper-division first-gen students.
4. The Gutierrez Law Firm First of US Scholarship
Here is another first-generation scholarship from a law firm set up to assist and encourage students who are first in their families to pursue a college degree. To qualify for the award, you must, of course, be a first-generation college student, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA or higher, and be a citizen or permanent resident of the US. Other documents for application include an essay and transcript from your current school.
The scholarship is open to current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, or graduate students. The scholarship award is $1,000.
5. InjuredICT First Generation Law Student Scholarship
InjuredICT First Generation Law Student Scholarship is another scholarship opportunity for every first-gen law student out there. InjuredICT is a division of Aeton Law Partners offering a scholarship award of $2,500 to support the student’s law education.
To be eligible, you must be in good standing with your school, be enrolled or already accepted into an accredited law school in the US, be at least 18 years old, and be a resident in the US. Other application materials include an essay about your first job and why you took it, an unofficial transcript, personal information, and proof of acceptance into an accredited law school.
6. AEF First Generation Law Student Scholarship
Okay so there were two scholarships I mostly saw during my research for this article, after the General Counsel, P.C. First Generation Law Student Scholarship another one that popped up a lot is the AEF First Generation Law Student Scholarship it is probably among one the best ones as regards to this topic. The AEF First Generation Law Student Scholarship is a $5,000 award awarded to students who are the first in their families to pursue a legal career.
Applicant must be in good academic standing, be in the second year of law school, demonstrate financial need, and submit a one-page 500-word essay, and transcript.
7. Suffolk University Law School First Generation College Student Scholarship
The award attached to this scholarship is the biggest so far but the requirements and eligibility criteria are quite tough. The scholarship value is $20,000 which will be renewed each year as long as you maintain good academic standing and are still a student at Suffolk Law. If your GPA and LSAT scores are at or above the aggregate required by Suffolk Law, you may receive more than $20,000.
To be eligible, you must be the first in your family to pursue a college degree, complete your undergraduate degree in one of 29 select colleges and universities you will find on the scholarships page, and that’s it. You don’t even need to apply for the scholarship as you will be automatically considered for the award upon your acceptance into Suffolk Law.
Okay, the requirement wasn’t as tough as I mentioned earlier. My bad.
8. AnBryce Scholarship Program
AnBryce Scholarship Program is another huge opportunity for first gen law students, maybe even bigger than the one above.
This program offers you full-tuition funding and support to study law at NYU Law, that is, the law school of New York University. Aside from being just the first in your family to pursue a degree, you must have demonstrated leadership qualities in the face of challenging social and economic circumstances to be eligible for the award.
Not only will you get full-tuition funding but you will also be offered mentoring, networking opportunities, and career support.
9. First – Start Scholars Fund
Students newly accepted into Georgia School of Law and are first-generation students are eligible for the First-Start Scholars Fund award. There is no separate application for the scholarship, rather applicants are assessed through the personal statement they submitted when applying for a place at the University of Georgia School of Law.
The personal statement will be screened to seek those who commit to service, community building, and problem-solving. The award is a partial tuition scholarship applied to the student’s tuition fee from the first year and will continue for 3 more years. There will also be a stipend for the 3 years of law school to support students’ career development, professional attire, travel, and bar preparation expenses.
10. Loudermilk Family First – Start Scholars Fund
If you are a first-gen law student residing in a rural county in the US state of Georgia here is an opportunity for you to study law at one of the best law schools in the world – Georgia School of Law – without paying so much.
If you fit into the criteria, you will receive this award that comes with half-tuition funding, support for summer work or travel during law school and covers every third-year expense.
11. Yancey Family Scholarship Fund in the School of Law
This is also another first-generation law school scholarship from the Georgia School of Law. It is awarded to a first-generation college graduate residing in Northwest Georgia. Consideration will be given to those who demonstrate a commitment to working in Northwest Georgia or legally underrepresented or rural portions of the state.
12. Judge B. Avant Edenfield Scholarship
Last but not least is the Judge B. Avant Edenfield Scholarship, also offered by the University of Georgia School of Law. First-generation students with good academic standing and from one of the rural counties of Georgia will be given preference for this scholarship that provides tuition assistance.
Aside from these scholarships here, you may also apply for another first-gen student as well as for other law scholarships. You should apply for as many as possible and apply before the deadline to increase your chances of receiving an award.
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