Uncovering Outside Scholarships: Funding Your Law School Journey

By Alice Foley, Director of Pre-Law Programming

In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of outside scholarships, a valuable source of financial support for prospective law school applicants and current law students. Whether you're looking to reduce the financial burden of your legal education or exploring opportunities to make it more affordable, this catch-all term encompasses a wide range of scholarship options beyond what your law school might offer.

We'll guide you through the process of discovering these scholarships, understanding their significance, and leveraging your unique qualifications to secure the financial assistance you need. So, let's explore how outside scholarships can help you make your legal education more affordable.

Understanding Your Financial Aid Offers

As you embark on your journey to law school, you'll soon receive admissions decisions and, along with them, financial aid offers from various schools. These offers typically include merit-based aid, which is primarily tied to your GPA and LSAT scores. However, there's much more to consider. Some law schools also provide need-based aid, considering your financial circumstances and data from the FAFSA (which you should complete even if you don't plan on taking loans).

The Power of Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships open a world of possibilities because they consider a broader range of factors than just your academic performance. These scholarships are a lifeline for students seeking to reduce the overall cost of their legal education, which is often a top priority. So, if you've received an acceptance letter but didn't secure a merit scholarship, this is the perfect time to explore outside scholarship opportunities.

Taking Inventory of Your Qualifications

The first step is to take inventory of yourself. What makes you unique? Reflect on your background, heritage, ethnicity, the organizations you've been involved in, extracurricular activities, and any volunteering experiences. This list should also align with what you've included in your law school application. Think broadly and don't limit yourself. Many applicants overlook the potential sources of funding that lie beyond their GPA and LSAT scores.

Building a List of Scholarships

Once you've compiled your qualifications, it's time to build a list of potential scholarships. Look into every organization you've been involved with, any volunteer work you've undertaken, or any memberships you hold. These entities often have foundations or scholarship funds that go unnoticed. If you've been a passive member of an organization, you might miss scholarship opportunities, so stay engaged and informed.

Make use of pre-law organizations on your college campus if they exist. These offices can guide you to national and local scholarship opportunities. Even if you're not an active member, they might know where to direct you. Professional development offices at your workplace may also have resources to support your educational goals, from partial funding to job assistance after law school.

Targeting Your Career Goals

As you prepare for your legal career, consider your post-law school plans. Where do you want to work? What organizations do you aspire to be a part of? Many legal aid organizations and state bar associations offer scholarships or financial support to encourage graduates to join the public interest sector. Explore scholarship programs aimed at fields like environmental law or intellectual property if you're passionate about these areas.

Be open to demonstrating your commitment to your chosen field. Your involvement with relevant organizations or causes could lead to scholarship opportunities. Demonstrated interest can be as powerful as writing an essay about your future plans.

Resources to Help You Find Scholarships

Many organizations are dedicated to supporting the financial health and literacy of law students. These organizations offer resources, including scholarship databases, to help you reduce your debt load. Two valuable resources are S Montgomery Admissions Consulting (our organization) and AccessLex, which specializes in law school financial health and literacy.

Final Thoughts

Law school can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be financially burdensome. With the right approach, you can tap into the wealth of outside scholarships available to you. Take stock of your qualifications, explore opportunities from organizations you're connected with, and keep an eye on your future career goals. By investing time in your scholarship search, you can make your legal education more affordable and achieve your dreams without the burden of excessive debt.

If you have more questions about the scholarship search, don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@smontgomeryconsulting.com!