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.
BWL Law Student Scholarship/Bar Grant
Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (BWL) awards its scholarship/bar grants
on the basis of financial need, community service, academic achievement and legal
writing ability. The awards are open to all eligible second and third year law students.
Depending upon the applicants eligibility, their application will be considered for
both a scholarship and/or a grant. Completed applications and all supporting documents
must be submitted to the Scholarship Selection Committee by no later than Monday,
March 15, 2026, 5:00 pm PST.
ChangeLawyers’ Next Gen Scholars Program
California ChangeLawyers is proud to launch the Next Gen Scholars Program. Beginning in 2026, ChangeLawyers will welcome a small cohort of Next Gen Scholars, 5 to 10 (Fall 2026) first-year law students across California, who demonstrate a deep commitment to serving California communities, have overcome significant barriers, and seek to harness their power for good. Each Scholar will receive direct funding of $50,000, as well as leadership development programming throughout their law school journey and beyond. Deadline to apply is March 26, 11:59 pm PST.
CAPAJA Law Student Scholarship
The California Asian-Pacific American Judges Association (CAPAJA) is proud to announce their annual scholarship opportunity for law students. CAPAJA is once again awarding multiple scholarships ($2,500 each) to law students who are serving or intend to serve as a judicial clerk/intern/extern in California and share CAPAJA’s mission to promote diversity in the legal profession, improve the administration of justice and ensure access and fairness for all who use the courts. All application materials must be completed and received on March 31, 2026.
Labor and Employment Law Scholarships
The Labor and Employment Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, and the California Lawyers Foundation are committed to fostering the career growth of persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups who are interested in practicing labor and employment law in areas that support and promote the goal of diversity in the labor and employment law field. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.
- Bar Studies Scholarship
Bar scholarships of $3,000 will be awarded to outstanding law students and recent graduates from California or ABA‑accredited law schools in California who have demonstrated a strong commitment to labor and employment law and are preparing for the July 2026 or February 2027 Bar Exam. - Summer Law Scholarship
Scholarships of up to $8,000 will be awarded to diverse law students for Summer 2026. These scholarships are intended to support students engaging in legal work within the labor or employment law field where the positions are unpaid or underpaid.
International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges Scholarships
These scholarships will each be awarded annually to a law student who has demonstrated a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and will be working (as a judicial intern, extern, clerk, etc.) with a judge, judicial officer, or court sponsored program at some time prior to admission as an attorney, a barrister, or equivalent. A fully completed scholarship application must be submitted by midnight Eastern Time on April 1, 2026.
- Judge Paul G. Feinman Scholarship
Judge Feinman exemplified what is best about our nation’s legal community and judiciary. This scholarship of $2,500 is to assist you as you create your own path of passion and commitment to justice, as Judge Feinman always did. - Judge Stephen M. Lachs and Michael Ruvo Scholarship
Over the years Judge Lachs and Mr. Ruvo have emphasized support for students who are the future of the LGBTQ+ community. This scholarship of $4,000 is to assist you as you begin your legal career and continue your community service.
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.
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.
Supporting Prisoners' Families Scholarship
The Pullan & Young Supporting Prisoners’ Families Scholarship was established to help students who have loved ones who have been convicted of criminal offenses. Pullan & Young believe that every student should have access to an education, regardless of their circumstances, and the goal is to help make college more accessible and affordable for those affected by incarceration in their family. This $1000 scholarship will be awarded to one student per semester. The deadline for the Spring 2026 scholarship is March 11, 2026.
USLAW NETWORK Foundation Law School Scholarship
The scholarship program supports eligible law students who have financial need and a demonstrated commitment to serving their communities as they pursue their academic and professional goals. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship toward law school tuition and an invitation to attend the 2026 USLAW NETWORK Annual Client Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in September. The program’s scholarship selection committee will select and recognize 12 recipients. Applicants must submit a completed application and all requested support materials on or before March 20, 2026.
Han C. Choi Scholarship
The NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) has partnered with the Choi Family to create the Han C. Choi Scholarship, to honor a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor and leader, who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. The Scholarship Fund will benefit a 1L or 2L law student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship experience, and demonstrates an interest in AAPI civic issues. In addition to a $5,000 award, the winner of the Han C. Choi Scholarship will be provided with mentorship assistance to support the student's career development. Apply by March 20, 2026, 5:00 pm ET.
Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship
In partnership with the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, NAPABA Law Foundation (NLF) will be accepting applications for the Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship Program. The program will provide $6,000 to a law student for a meaningful summer internship at a public interest organization. The Fellowship is open to all rising 2L and 3L law students. Candidates should have a history of civil rights activism, interest in pursuing a civil rights career, strong academics and, like Fred T. Korematsu, strength of character and moral commitment. Applications are due March 20, 2026, 5:00 pm ET.
James E. Beckley Law Student Scholarship
The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) is proud to sponsor the James E. Beckley Law Student Scholarship Contest. This focused law student scholarship provides essential backing for students dedicated to investor rights. The PIABA will pay over $3,000 in awards to law students with prizes at $1,500, $1,000, and $750 for the top three entrants. The PIABA Bar Journal will publish the first-place paper and, in the past years, has also made offers to publish other papers from the contest. Papers must be submitted by Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Barnes Firm 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.