External Scholarships
External foundations, nonprofits, law firms, and networking groups support scholarships for students to help finance their legal education. Our financial aid team regularly receives information about these law school scholarships and is ready to help you find the best opportunities.
Current External Scholarships
Organizations, groups, and nonprofits occasionally contact California Western with information about scholarships their agencies offer. While this is not an exhaustive list, the following are some of the scholarships currently being offered:
AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank
The AccessLex Institute® invites you to utilize their newest tool to find money that’s already available to help pay for law school and lower your student loan burdens. Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions, with filters to help you find the ones best suited for you.
SDLRLA Bar Stipend Program
The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) Scholarship Fund proudly announces its 2026 bar stipend scholarship program. Bar stipends are awarded to law students in their final year of study to assist with bar‑related expenses and typically range from $500 to $2,000. Selection considerations include the applicants academic achievement, financial need, community service, leadership, and any hardship experience in pursuing higher education. Completed applications and materials must received on or before Monday, April 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties
The Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties is open to first-year law students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer (in between their first and second year) in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties. Each fellowship comes with a $3,000 stipend. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship
The American Bar Association (ABA) annual Legal Opportunity Scholarship application period is now open for first-year law students entering law school in the fall of 2026. The program's mission is committed to enhancing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of the legal profession. The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship grants $15,000 of financial aid to 20 - 25 incoming law students over their three years in law school. The application portal will close at 11:59 P.M. Central Time on April 15, 2026.
CLA BLS Law Student Essay Contest
The California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) Business Law Section (BLS) is proud to announce its 2025 Law Student Essay Contest. Through this award, the Section seeks to recognize law student authors of exceptional scholarship on the subject of California’s corporate governance landscape. The first-place winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize for reimbursement of a bar review program. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST.
LDF Law School Scholarships
The mission of Legal Defense Fund’s (LDF) scholarship programs is to help transform the promise of racial equality into a social, economic, and political reality by supporting talented undergraduate students and law students. The law school scholarship awards are $15,000 per year, over three years, for a total of $45,000, provided funds remain available. Scholars must be in good academic standing and continue to meet scholarship criteria to maintain eligibility. The application deadline is May 1, 2026, 11:59 pm EDT.
- Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund is a competitive national scholarship for exceptional undergraduate and law students. Named after the former Governor and United States Senator from New York in recognition of his integrity, courage, and persistence on behalf of numerous civil rights causes. The fund offers a limited number of law school scholarships to students committed to pursuing careers in public interest law. - Earl Warren Scholarship
The Earl Warren Scholarship honors Earl Warren, the 14th Chief Justice of the United States and former California Governor, whose leadership on the Warren Court helped end school segregation and reshape civil rights law. The scholarship is awarded annually to law students who demonstrate a strong commitment to racial justice and show exceptional potential for careers in civil rights or public interest law.
Criminal Justice Scholarship
Murphy & McKinney Law Firm P.C. is proud to introduce this new scholarship program specifically designed for law students who are interested in helping individuals within the criminal justice system. This $1,000 scholarship is intended to help recipients cover tuition and educational expenses while pursuing their interest in criminal law and making a positive impact in the field. All materials must be submitted by May 18, 2026.
Law School Scholarship
The Barnes Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, recognizes that higher education plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals into leaders who can make a positive impact on society. Two scholarship winners will be selected based on academic achievements, community involvement and an essay. Each winner will receive $5,000 towards tuition for the Fall 2026 academic enrollment period. Applications must be submitted on or before May 29, 2026.
Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM) Scholarship
The California Lawyers Association Family Law Section is offering a scholarship to all law school students in California who are interested in the area of Family Law as their field of practice. The scholarship will help students who are passionate about Family Law to achieve their career goals and make a meaningful impact in this area of law. The scholarship is intended to help defray some of the costs associated with taking the Bar exam. A scholarship of $1,000.00 will be awarded to the first-place winner of an essay contest. The top three entrants will have their essays published in the Family Law News. Applicants must submit their applications and essays no later than June 16, 2025.
SAIL Scholarship
The SAIL Scholarship program provides financial assistance and an ongoing program of mentoring, networking, support and leadership development for rising second year law students. Each recipient is also eligible to receive a $7,500 grant, split equally over 2 years to help fund their educational expenses. Applicants will be evaluated for (a) academic excellence in their undergraduate school years and first year of law school, (b) leadership experience, (c) volunteerism or service in the public interest, (d) knowledge of social and cultural issues of any one or more AAPI communities or commitment to making a significant impact on issues affecting one or more AAPI communities, or both, and (e) commitment to “pay it forward.” Applicants must submit all application materials online via the NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) website by June 30, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET.
Law School Scholarship Contest
Andrew Flusche of Flusche & Fitzgerald wants to hear about why you want to become a lawyer. What inspired you to enter into such a challenging profession. More importantly, how you will make a difference in the community as you progress through your legal career. One winner will be selected and awarded $1,000 to put towards their law school tuition. The deadline for submission is July 30, 2026.
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office is here to help you navigate the financial aid process. If you require assistance or have questions about external scholarships, please contact our office.