MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
MALDEF
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) focuses on supporting civil rights and bringing about the diversity of the Latino community in the United States. It created the MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program to financially support future young lawyers who carry on its mission of advancing the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.
In recent years MALDEF has awarded from five to 15 scholarships of $2,000 to $10,00 each to deserving law students from throughout the nation. In 2022, 12 law students won MALDEF scholarships. There are over 15 scholarships available throughout the year with different requirements and deadlines for students to choose from.
MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program is open to all law students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited United States law school. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic and extracurricular achievements, their background, financial need, and their demonstrated commitment to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.
Scholarship Summary
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) focuses on supporting civil rights and bringing about the diversity of the Latino community in the United States. It created the MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program to financially support future young lawyers who carry on its mission of advancing the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.
In recent years MALDEF has awarded from five to 15 scholarships of $2,000 to $10,00 each to deserving law students from throughout the nation. In 2022, 12 law students won MALDEF scholarships. There are over 15 scholarships available throughout the year with different requirements and deadlines for students to choose from.
MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program is open to all law students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited United States law school. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic and extracurricular achievements, their background, financial need, and their demonstrated commitment to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Graduate – Postgraduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: United States
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Study Details
Area of Study
Law
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Essay
- Financial Information
- Grade transcript
- Recommendation letters
MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program Timeline
October
Application Opening Date
Applications open on October 1.
February
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is on February 3.
How to ace the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Start the application process right away
You should start the application process as soon as possible. This will allow you enough time to acquire all necessary documents, contact your referees or recommenders, complete all forms and work on your personal statement. Have everything organized and planned to avoid any last-minute complications.
Engage in extracurricular activities
Applicants are evaluated based on extracurricular activities done in their institutions and outside of their institutions. Try as much as possible to engage in extracurricular activities outside of your institution as it increases your chances of being selected. Be sure to ask your supervisor to write a statement affirming your work hours.
Essay objective and review
Your essay is your voice and the complete picture of your character, ambitions, and abilities. Answer the required questions carefully and make your piece concise and interesting, capturing your pursuit of your degree of choice. Tell the judges your story and what you hope to achieve. Stay focused and get a second or third eye review from your mentor or instructor.
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.
How the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program is Judged
Applicants are judged based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and commitment to Latino civil rights in their careers. They are also judged based on their application form, financial needs, essay regarding their extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation from their supervisors indicating their work hours.
Why We Love the MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Applicants build meaningful networks
By reaching out to their volunteer coordinators and teachers for recommendation letters, students build a support network that can assist them in their careers and education.
Applicants challenged to contribute to their communities
Successful applicants are students who can describe how they can use their education and training in medicine or rehabilitation. This challenges applicants to think of areas in their community or in the profession where they can apply themselves to make a change.
Applicants gain work experience
While participating in extracurricular and volunteering activities, applicants gain insight and experience that will help them in their future careers.
5 Facts About MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
Over 15 scholarships available
MALDEF offers over 15 scholarships available all year round for students to choose from.
MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide
The MALDEF resource guide is an informative guide explaining and giving in full detail everything aspiring applicants need to know about the scholarship program. By the way, it's free!
Devotion to Latino rights is a must
Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.
MALDEF was founded in 1968
MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) was founded in 1968 and was formed due to the civil-rights legal war organized to prevent discrimination against Latinos.
MALDEF engages in volunteer work
MALDEF encourages applicants to always engage in extracurricular activities and volunteering work as this enables them to get an insight into the field they have chosen to work in.