External Scholarships & Awards

These are private scholarships offered by law firms and community organizations. Scholarships are available to incoming and continuing students. Click on the links for more information and to see if you qualify. All scholarships are organized by their deadlines.

On this page:

Resources for additional information:

  • Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s Diversity Scholarships, Fellowships and Internships - This resource provides a listing organizations that offer law school scholarships and fellowships to diverse students.
  • AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank- The AccessLex Institute has launched the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank. 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions – totaling over $3 million in aid.

2026 DEFENSE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK: Dawn C. DeSimone Law Student Scholarship

Value: $1,500 (2 available)                                                                 Deadline: September 30, 2026

The Defense Association of New York is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second, third and fourth (evening) year (2L/3L/4L evening) law students who are enrolled in a New York State accredited law school. Students who are, in Civil Litigation context, looking to improve the legal profession services, to elevate the standard of trial practice, to support and work for the improvement of the adversarial system of jurisprudence in the courts, and to facilitate and expedite the trial of disputed claims are welcomed to apply.

More information on eligibility and application: https://cdn.wildapricot.com/35745/resources/Documents/2026%20DANY%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf?version=1783372388000&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOiBbeyJSZXNvdXJjZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLndpbGRhcHJpY290LmNvbS8zNTc0NS9yZXNvdXJjZXMvRG9jdW1lbnRzLzIwMjYlMjBEQU5ZJTIwU2Nob2xhcnNoaXAlMjBBcHBsaWNhdGlvbi5wZGY~dmVyc2lvbj0xNzgzMzcyMzg4MDAwIiwiQ29uZGl0aW9uIjp7IkRhdGVMZXNzVGhhbiI6eyJBV1M6RXBvY2hUaW1lIjoxNzg5NzQzMzIxfSwiSXBBZGRyZXNzIjp7IkFXUzpTb3VyY2VJcCI6IjAuMC4wLjAvMCJ9fX1dfQ__&Signature=aSp7~QqEZNTLLANaockcGPoWct9KEcTTTcUr5-vQBIeYLu7Ad9yN2aViaVESFLd0ofBU39HoGuKWHgyaQ5kS817El3ApoZfZKMYwEqmaKrOpvGhXXu450SV4wFtD5S27T9RIQ7ncpdqmiElujbKnxRt5VQw9ItAvVCsJE2EzK5sJHrQv3~-p7198kVhB3vSSUCSDQx9D7EaeYpcm5FDP4HXiMwRVyjxFXi3W1Yz6t02rabKEZ4Q2YXEpjlGxxrZJTOFck2OJqotgDbfoOck16S4Tk-pCu2TsAjQJFznXQoj3J7a5OE5B~29J8IQgBmqax-b8hwTmNGt-ugxPIk5CfA__&Key-Pair-Id=K27MGQSHTHAGGF

2026 DEFENSE ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK: Dawn C. DeSimone Law Student Scholarship

Value: $1,500 (2 available)                                                                 Deadline: September 30, 2026

The Defense Association of New York is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second, third and fourth (evening) year (2L/3L/4L evening) law students who are enrolled in a New York State accredited law school. Students who are, in Civil Litigation context, looking to improve the legal profession services, to elevate the standard of trial practice, to support and work for the improvement of the adversarial system of jurisprudence in the courts, and to facilitate and expedite the trial of disputed claims are welcomed to apply.

More information on eligibility and application: https://cdn.wildapricot.com/35745/resources/Documents/2026%20DANY%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf?version=1783372388000&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOiBbeyJSZXNvdXJjZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLndpbGRhcHJpY290LmNvbS8zNTc0NS9yZXNvdXJjZXMvRG9jdW1lbnRzLzIwMjYlMjBEQU5ZJTIwU2Nob2xhcnNoaXAlMjBBcHBsaWNhdGlvbi5wZGY~dmVyc2lvbj0xNzgzMzcyMzg4MDAwIiwiQ29uZGl0aW9uIjp7IkRhdGVMZXNzVGhhbiI6eyJBV1M6RXBvY2hUaW1lIjoxNzg5NzQzMzIxfSwiSXBBZGRyZXNzIjp7IkFXUzpTb3VyY2VJcCI6IjAuMC4wLjAvMCJ9fX1dfQ__&Signature=aSp7~QqEZNTLLANaockcGPoWct9KEcTTTcUr5-vQBIeYLu7Ad9yN2aViaVESFLd0ofBU39HoGuKWHgyaQ5kS817El3ApoZfZKMYwEqmaKrOpvGhXXu450SV4wFtD5S27T9RIQ7ncpdqmiElujbKnxRt5VQw9ItAvVCsJE2EzK5sJHrQv3~-p7198kVhB3vSSUCSDQx9D7EaeYpcm5FDP4HXiMwRVyjxFXi3W1Yz6t02rabKEZ4Q2YXEpjlGxxrZJTOFck2OJqotgDbfoOck16S4Tk-pCu2TsAjQJFznXQoj3J7a5OE5B~29J8IQgBmqax-b8hwTmNGt-ugxPIk5CfA__&Key-Pair-Id=K27MGQSHTHAGGF

2027 LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT LAW SECTION: Carol Van Scoyoc Municipal Law Scholarship

Value: $5,000                                                                                      Deadline: October 16, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second- and third-year law students enrolled full-time/part-time in a New York State law school.  Applicants should document their interest in public service and the pursuit of a career in the civil practice of municipal law. This Scholarship will be applied towards the recipient’s 2026-2027 academic year tuition.

More information and eligibility: https://www.tnybf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Local-State-Govt-CVS-Scholarship-Application.pdf

2027 THE HONORABLE JOEL K. ASARCH: Elder Law and Special Needs Section Scholarship

Value: $5,000                                                                                      Deadline: November 9, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second- and third-year law students enrolled full-time/part-time in a New York State law school during 2026-2027 academic year, who are actively participating in an Elder Law Clinic at the school  during the stated academic year, or perform other substantial efforts demonstrating interest in the legal rights of the elderly, or express an interest in helping the disabled.  Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates financial need.

 More information and eligibility at https://www.tnybf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Hon.-Asarch-Elder-Law-Scholarship-Application.pdf

2027 ELDER LAW AND SPECIAL NEEDS SECTION: T. David Stapleton Memorial Scholarship

Value: $5,000                                                                                        Deadline: November 9, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second- and third-year students who are enrolled in a law school in the New York State and have demonstrated interest in the Elder Law and Special Needs practice area, intending to practice in the field in Upstate New York following law school. Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates financial need.

 More information and eligibility: https://www.tnybf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Elder-Law-T.-David-Stapleton-Memorial-Scholarship-Application.pdf

2027 DIVERSITY SUMMER FELLOWSHIP IN HEALTH LAW: New York State Bar Association/Health Law Section

Value: $7,000 stipend                                                                           Deadline: December 4, 2026

This Summer 2027 Fellowship is open to all students as of Fall 2026 who are enrolled in the law school in the State of New York, who intend to practice law in New York State upon graduation, and who can fulfill the requested work hours and responsibilities. The selected Fellow will be placed with a healthcare attorney or facility across New York State, including but not limited to Albany, New York City, Long Island and Westchester.  The Fellowship will run for 8 weeks starting June 2027 at a minimum of 35 hours per week.

More information and eligibility: https://www.tnybf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Diversity-Summer-Fellowship-in-Health-Law-Application.pdf  

2027 REAL PROPERTY LAW SECTION MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Value: $7,500 (3 available)                                                                 Deadline: December 7, 2026

The New York Bar Foundation is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to all second- and third-year full or part-time students enrolled in New York State law schools who best exemplify the core values important to those whose memory we honor – academic excellence, a demonstrated interest in the public service, high integrity and, if possible, an interest in real property law.  Preference will be given to students demonstrating financial need.

More information on eligibility and application: https://www.tnybf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-RPLS-Memorial-Scholarship-Application.pdf

2027 JASON TENENBAUM ACCESS TO JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP

Value: $2,500                                                                                           Deadline: May 15, 2027

The Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship that is open to New York State residents who are enrolled in, or admitted to, and accredited college, university, graduate program of law school during 2027-2028 academic year. Applicants should submit one essay of 750-1,000 words out of the two prompts provided.

More information on eligibility and application: https://jtnylaw.com/scholarship/

2026 LEWIS M. ROSE SCHOLARSHIP:

One paid Summer Associate position with full-time Associate position offering

Review of Applications: Rolling basis

Kelly Drye & Warren LLP is currently accepting applications for this Scholarship which is open to all outstanding rising second year (2L) law students who are enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school scheduled to graduate in 2027. The Scholarship includes a paid summer associate position in their New York or New Jersey offices following the second year of law school.  The Scholarship recipient also receives a $25,000 award paid in two installments as a signing bonus—one upon completion of the summer program, and the second, upon starting as a full-time Associate at the firm.

More application information at https://www.kelleydrye.com/lewis-m-rose-scholarship