Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
ABA Legal Opportunity Fund
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 2025
Application Opening Date
Applications open on February 1.
April 2025
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is on April 15.
How to ace the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
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.
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.
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.
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
Promotes inclusivity
The scholarship enables racial and ethnic minority students who are underrepresented in the legal profession to pursue law with reduced financial burdens.
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.
The scholarship is need-based
The scholarship’s main priority is students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
5 Facts About the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
