Closed
$5,000–$15,000
10 Award Winners
Application Open Date
2/1/2023
Application Deadline
4/15/2023
Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate

Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

Funded by
ABA Legal Opportunity Fund
Closed
$5,000–$15,000
10 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
2/1/2023
Scholarship Close Date
4/15/2023
Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate

Every year, the American Bar Association (ABA) offers the Legal Opportunity Scholarship to law students entering the first year of their studies. Specifically, the scholarship aims to support minority students who are underrepresented in the legal profession. Through this initiative, ABA encourages more students to pursue law at the university and offers financial aid so that they can complete three years of legal education with less financial burden.

To be eligible for this scholarship, one has to be a member of a minority racial and/or ethnic group such as Black, Hispanic, Alaska Tribe, Native North American, or Pacific Islander. In addition, applicants must demonstrate a passion for the law profession and financial needs. Every applicant should make sure to finish the entire application and submit it on time with all necessary documentation, including at least two letters of recommendation.

Winners of the scholarship are each awarded a sum of $5,000. If the winning scholar is a first-year student, the award may be renewed for a further two years. The renewal of the scholarship is an added advantage to the scholars who will not need to reapply for the scholarship in their second and third years.

Scholarship Summary

Every year, the American Bar Association (ABA) offers the Legal Opportunity Scholarship to law students entering the first year of their studies. Specifically, the scholarship aims to support minority students who are underrepresented in the legal profession. Through this initiative, ABA encourages more students to pursue law at the university and offers financial aid so that they can complete three years of legal education with less financial burden.

To be eligible for this scholarship, one has to be a member of a minority racial and/or ethnic group such as Black, Hispanic, Alaska Tribe, Native North American, or Pacific Islander. In addition, applicants must demonstrate a passion for the law profession and financial needs. Every applicant should make sure to finish the entire application and submit it on time with all necessary documentation, including at least two letters of recommendation.

Winners of the scholarship are each awarded a sum of $5,000. If the winning scholar is a first-year student, the award may be renewed for a further two years. The renewal of the scholarship is an added advantage to the scholars who will not need to reapply for the scholarship in their second and third years.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: Graduate – Postgraduate
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: 2.5
  • Geographic Eligibility: United States
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Alaskan Native, Asian American, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander

Key Information of Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

Study Details

Area of Study

Law

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

ABA Accredited Law Schools

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Grade transcript
  • Essay
  • Financial Information
  • Recommendation letters
  • Present Work Experiences

Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund Timeline

February 2023

Application Opening Date

Applications open on February 1.

April 2023

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline is on April 15.

How to ace the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

1

Highlight your positive traits

When writing your personal statement, make sure to emphasize your positive traits such as leadership, teamwork, motivation and commitment, and any relevant skill.

2

Proofread and edit

Spend some time editing and proofreading your personal statement after you've finished writing it. To improve your writing and hear how it sounds, read your personal statement out loud and correct notable phrasing, spelling, and grammar mistakes.

3

Choice of references and early notifications

Your references or recommenders must be those who know you well enough to be willing to speak to your abilities and demonstrate why you make the perfect candidate for this scholarship. So, choose them wisely. Also, contact them and send them the required forms very early on to allow them enough time to complete them.

4

Be an active member of the community

The level of civic engagement of applicants is taken into consideration. Therefore, your application should highlight any volunteer work or leadership roles you've held in the community.

How the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund is Judged

A committee of ABA members will select the recipients of the scholarship based on their financial need, personal, family, and educational backgrounds; personal statement, and involvement in community service activities.

Why We Love the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

1

Promotes inclusivity

The scholarship enables racial and ethnic minority students who are underrepresented in the legal profession to pursue law with reduced financial burdens.

2

The scholarship is renewable

A first-year Legal Opportunity Scholarship recipient can renew their $5,000- scholarship for up to three years as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

3

The scholarship is need-based

The scholarship’s main priority is students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

5 Facts About the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

01.

International students are not eligible

While the scholarship is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, international students studying in the United States are not eligible.

02.

Over 400 ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship

Since its inception, the American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship has sponsored more than 400 students from across the United States.

03.

ABA has different member groups

The American Bar Association has over 35 member groups that anyone in the legal field can join to boost their professional profile and network with others in the same field.

04.

Anyone can offer their contributions

You can donate to support the scholarship program through the ABA’s official website and, in doing so, help to reduce the financial obstacles faced by students while attending law school.

05.

ABA has leadership entities

ABA leadership comprises six core entities: ABA Officers, the Board of Governors, the Cybersecurity Legal Task Force, the House of Delegates, the Office of the President, and the Section Officers Conference.