Guide to Law School Merit Aid & Outside Scholarships
Student loans are a great way to fund law school, or at least make up the difference from other types of aid. However, the ultimate goal is to graduate law school with the least amount of debt possible, which means scoring merit-based aid from the school you attend. Most merit-based financial aid comes from the school itself and is awarded based on LSAT scores and undergrad GPA.
In fact, law schools are motivated to use merit aid to attract competitive applicants who will accept an offer of admission. Schools worry about their reputation and rankings, so they want students who have high GPAs and LSAT scores. In turn, they push merit aid towards applicants who raise the bar for each entering class.
Where does that leave deserving students, especially those who come from poverty or challenging backgrounds? Maybe a brilliant undergrad was working full time to support their family, dealt with domestic violence or abuse, or attended an underperforming high school. There is a multitude of valid reasons why someone does poorly on their LSAT or doesn't make the Dean's list during their undergrad.
Those whose LSAT scores weren't as high as they would have liked or don't have a stellar undergrad academic record often think they have to rely on loans to fund graduate school. This is not completely true. There are other ways to fund law schools besides LSAT and GPA-based merit aid and student loans.
LRAPs
Law students who want to work in the public interest sector can take advantage of Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs). However, not everyone wants to commit to public interest work for five to ten years. Fortunately, some merit aid and many outside scholarships provide funding for law students without relying on grades and LSAT scores.
Some schools have scholarships or fellowship programs that you can apply for separately. Also, law students can take advantage of pipeline programs and private scholarships to help fund law school and minimize the debt they need to take on to graduate. Below, I provide more information about fellowships, pipeline programs, and outside private scholarships to give you some resources that could provide the funds you need for law school.
Fellowships for Law School Merit Aid
Law students who don't qualify for Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) or do not want to work in a public interest position for a decade might find that a post-graduate fellowship will be a good fit. Law students who receive fellowships typically have to accept a public interest job after graduation. However, they receive a stipend on top of their wages.
In other cases, post-graduate fellowships offer the chance for law students to do research as a fellow. Some schools offer to visit assistant professorships (VAPs) too. Visiting professors have some teaching commitments but typically spend the length of their VAP conducting research in a specific area of law. These are coveted positions that can help law students transition into other full-time positions.
Some schools also offer fellowships to students while they are in law school if they show interest in a particular field, often public interest. Although these scholarships require an interest in public service and some other requirements, they do not require the same commitment as LRAPs and loan forgiveness programs, making them a great opportunity for students who want to work at a big firm but don't mind spending a few years helping out in the public sector.
Pipeline Programs
Pipeline programs exist to support and coach prospective and current law students and recently graduated students at key stages in their professional and academic development. Most pipeline programs provide mentoring and coaching to students in addition to helping them explore different practice areas. Students develop skills that help them succeed and become leaders.
Pipeline programs are especially important for first-generation college students and law students, and those from diverse backgrounds. These students do not always have the resources to navigate the law school application process or funds. Pipeline programs provide tools, increase confidence, and send the signal to diverse students that they deserve to go to law school.
Some pipeline programs offer to fund, while others offer valuable support and resources. You can start your search with the American Bar Association (ABA). Law schools, law firms, bar associations, and other organizations offer a variety of programs to encourage diversity in the legal profession. The ABA maintains an online database, the National Pipeline Diversity Initiative Directory, that allows aspiring and current law students to search for the programs that fit them best and minimize student loan debt.
Outside Private Scholarships
Outside scholarships are another great way to fund law school without specific LSAT scores or GPAs. Instead, they are criteria-based scholarships. Your law school might offer outside scholarships. Some schools receive outside endowments to offer scholarships to students who meet specific criteria. However, law schools are only one of several organizations that offer outside scholarships for law students. Bar associations, law firms, businesses, and other organizations also offer private scholarships.
The criteria on which a scholarship is based varies greatly and is only limited by your imagination. Examples of specific demographics, situations, experiences, etc. that are sometimes the basis for awarding a scholarship to law students include:
Gender
Race or ethnicity
Single parenthood
Essay response
Socioeconomic background
Sexual orientation
Interest in a specific area of law
Excellence in legal writing
For more information about how to pay for law school with outside scholarships, watch this video and learn about the resources that could work for you.
Learn More About Law School Merit Aid & Outside Scholarships
Paying for law school creates more anxiety for those without money than whether getting into your first-choice school. There are ample resources to help you reach your goals, even with a low GPA and LSAT score. Visit my website to contact me and learn more about how I can help you find the resources you need to pay for law school.