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:

The New York Bar Foundation:

The Honorable Joel K. Asarch Elder Law and Special Needs Section Scholarship

Value: $3,500                                                               Deadline: November 11, 2024

One scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student enrolled in a full-time or part-time basis in a New York State law school, who is actively participating in an Elder Law Clinic at the school during the 2024-2025 academic year or performs other substantial efforts demonstrating interest in the legal rights of the elderly or expresses an interest in helping the disabled.

More information on Scholarship eligibility and requirements

 

The New York Bar Foundation: 2025 Elder Law and Special Needs Section

T. David Stapleton Memorial Scholarship

Value: $ 3,500                                                                              Deadline: November 11, 2024

One scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student enrolled in a full-time or part-time basis in a New York State law school, who has demonstrated interest in the Elder Law and Special Needs practice areas and intends to practice in the field in Upstate New York upon finishing law school.

More information on Scholarship eligibility and requirements

 

The New York Bar Foundation: 2025 Real Property Law Section Melvyn Mitzner Scholarship

Value: $ 5,000                                                                              Deadline: November 15, 2024

One scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student enrolled in a New York State law school during the fall 2024 semester who best demonstrates Melvyn Mitzner’s commitment to professional achievement in real property law including legal writing, lecturing and scholarship, and diversity in the profession.  Preference is given to students demonstrating financial need.

More information on Scholarship eligibility and requirements

 

The New York Bar Foundation: 2025 Real Property Law Section

Lorraine Power Tharp Scholarship

Value: $ 5,000                                                                              Deadline: November 15, 2024

One scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student enrolled in a New York State law school who best exemplifies the core values important to Lorraine—academic excellence, demonstrated interest in public service, high integrity and, if possible, an interest in real property law.  Preference is given to students demonstrating financial need.

More information on Scholarship eligibility and requirements

 

Schenectady County Bar Association

2024-2025 John Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund

Value: Varies                                Deadline: December 1, 2024

This Scholarship Fund was established in 1980 by the Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth M. Alexander, widow of John Alexander to provide scholarships for Schenectady County residents who are full-time candidates of Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law Degree at an accredited New York Law School.  Awarded amount varies from year to year.  

Letter applications shall include proof of residency in Schenectady County (i.e. copy of driver’s license) and a law school letter verifying that the student is currently enrolled and in good standing.

Inquiries and/or letter applications may be emailed to AD3PO@nycourts.gov or mailed to Alexander Scholarship Fund, Supreme Court Chambers, 612 State Street, Schenectady NY 12305.  Submissions must be received by December 1, 2024, for scholarships awarded in the next calendar year.

More Scholarship information

 

The New York Bar Foundation: Health Law Section

2025 Diversity Summer Fellowship in Health Law

Value: $ 6,000 stipend                                                           Deadline: December 9, 2024

This 8-week summer placement fellowship is open to students with diverse background who are currently enrolled in a New York State law school, providing the selected Fellow an opportunity to experience health law practice and to work with a healthcare attorney or facility in the New York State during the summer.  Fellowship finalists may be interviewed in person or virtually.

More information on Fellowship eligibility and requirements

 

2025 Law Student Second Amendment Research and Writing Competition

First Place: $10,000
Second Place: $ 7,000
Third Place: $3,000                                                                     

Deadline: March 1, 2025

The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund welcomes any law student currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school to submit an original scholarly article suitable for publication addressing an assigned cutting edge Second Amendment issue.  The assigned question revolves around the United States Supreme Court opinion in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111 (2022)

Competition Flyer

Application Cover Page

Assigned Competition Question