External Scholarships
We are here to inform you about additional sources of funding available to help finance your legal education. Below is a list of external scholarships offered by nonprofit organizations, foundations, law firms, and networking groups.
External Scholarships
Organizations, groups, and nonprofits occasionally contact California Western with information about scholarships their agency's offer. While this is not an exhaustive list, the following are a few of the available outside scholarships.
Lawyers of Distinction Scholarship
The Lawyers of Distinction Scholarship was created to help college students pursue their dreams without worrying about the cost. The goal of the scholarship is to help support future generations and their educational pursuits. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one student every year.
Lawyers of Distinction Scholarship
MAX by AccessLex Hannah R. Arterian Memorial Scholarship
The inaugural MAX by AccessLex® Hannah R. Arterian Memorial Scholarship was named for Hannah R. Arterian who served as a distinguished member of the AccessLex Institute Board of Directors from 2011 to 2020, including two terms as Board Chair. Hannah was an unflinching advocate for the Company's nonprofit mission and its vision to empower the next generation of lawyers through research, policy advocacy, and student-focused initiatives. She was a champion for the creation of the MAX by AccessLex® program.
Annually, one 1L MAX participant who completes the eight-part Financial Foundations course and attends at least two MAX events will be automatically entered to win a $50,000 scholarship toward their remaining law school tuition. The first drawing of the Scholarship will take place on May 1, 2023 and will thereby stand apart from the annual MAX by AccessLex Grand Prize Scholarship Drawing on April 1.
MAX by AccessLex Hannah R. Arterian Memorial Scholarship
Online Divorcer Law School Scholarship
In 2021, OnlineDivorcer encouraged law students around the world to write a divorce-related article. The winner was awarded a $2,500 scholarship and their article was featured on the company’s blog. Whether you are in your first year or are about to graduate and become a lawyer, you are welcome to apply by submitting an article. For more information on the writing topic and scholarship click here.
Trial LawHER Scholarship
Milestone’s annual Trial LawHER Scholarship application window is now open. This is a $10,000 scholarship given to a female rising 3L who aspires to become a plaintiff trial lawyer. This scholarship intends to elevate a rising woman leader in the plaintiff trial lawyer space and educate future trial lawyers around the importance and impact of settlement planning. Applications for the Trial LawHER Scholarship will be accepted from January 5 through May 1. For assistance on how to begin the essay, click here.
2023 Diversity & Financial Need Scholarship
The ACC San Diego Chapter is excited to announce its 2023 Diversity & Financial Need Scholarship! The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support for historically marginalized students as defined by the ABA diversity criteria that have demonstrated academic achievement, financial need, and desire to be a part of the San Diego legal community, particularly the in-house community. ACC San Diego understands the economic burden many law school students face in pursuing a future in the legal profession. To help, ACC San Diego has put together a scholarship program to help address the financial gap many students face in paying for bar preparation expenses such as prep course or books, and the bar application fees. ACC San Diego will select a limited number of recipients (not to exceed three recipients) to receive a financial scholarship based on the selection and eligibility criteria. The total amount of scholarships to be distributed at the discretion of ACC San Diego shall not exceed $10,000. Applications are reviewed and recipients are selected by the Executive Committee. Scholarship(s) will be presented at the May Cinco de Mayo event on May 5, 2023. Deadline for applications is March 17, 2023.
2023 Diversity & Financial Need Scholarship
THLA Foundation Scholarship Program
The Foundation is accepting applications for its 2023 Scholarship Program. The Foundation determines the number of scholarships and the amount of each, which has ranged from $1,000 to $7,500 in recent years. LGBTQ+ law students and allies are welcome to apply. Law students must be THLA members at the time they submit their application. Students can become members on THLA’s website or can inquire about membership status by emailing THLA’s Co-Presidents. The Foundation must receive all application materials no later than 11:59 PM on March 17, 2023.
ChangeLawyers Bar Study Stipend
The Foundation is again jointly sponsoring a $5,000 bar study stipend with California ChangeLawyers (formerly the California Bar Foundation), which both organizations will award to a law student taking the California bar exam in 2023. The online application and full eligibility criteria for the Foundation’s bar study stipend—as well as for similar stipends from other sponsoring organizations in San Diego and throughout California—can be found on ChangeLawyer’s website. The deadline to apply is midnight on February 28, 2023.
ChangeLawyers Bar Study Stipend
ODBAR Scholarship
ODBAR is pleased to announce a new $7,500 scholarship for a deserving member of the
National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). The scholarship will be awarded to
a law student in good academic standing at an institution with a duly registered NBLSA
chapter or who has an
individual NBLSA membership. A $7,500 scholarship will be paid to the law school of
the recipient for education expenses, and the
recipient will also receive an invitation to the ODBAR BBQ in Philadelphia on July
15, 2023. Applications will be accepted March 1 – 17, 2023.