As Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month begins this May, the importance of diversity and representation within the legal profession is increasingly apparent. For aspiring AAPI students with dreams of attending law school, access to financial resources can often be a determining factor in pursuing their educational and career goals. Fortunately, a range of scholarships tailored specifically for AAPI students seeking to embark on a legal career exists, offering invaluable support and opportunities to alleviate the financial burden associated with law school tuition.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the prominent scholarships available for AAPI students interested in pursuing a legal education. Whether you’re a prospective law student or a supporter of diversity and inclusion in the legal field, join us as we delve into the world of scholarships aimed at empowering AAPI students to pursue their passion for law.
- Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship: The Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship from Against The Grain offers financial support and recognition to college seniors and graduate students of Asian American descent who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication, setting a precedent for others to emulate and making a positive impact within the Asian American community. The recipient of this award will receive $1,500, which is applied towards school tuition and fees. To qualify, you must be at least 25% of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity. Candidates must submit a video presentation showcasing their work and qualifications. The deadline to submit is May 31st, 2024 and winners will be announced in September 2024.
- Korean American Scholarship Foundation: These scholarships are offered to qualified Korean American students. To apply for KASF scholarships, it is very important to follow the specific requirements and instructions of the region where the applicant’s school is/will be located during the scholarship application year as the type and amount of available scholarships may differ from region to region (which range from $500 to $5,000). Applicants are evaluated on recommendations, scholastic achievement, financial need, and a written essay. The deadline to submit in each region is June 30th, 2024.
- Salle Yoo and Jeff Gray Summer Grants: The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (“AABA”) Law Foundation is extending two grants aimed at supporting eligible summer law clerks. These grants are intended to fund individuals working on legal projects that offer free or low-cost legal services to the Asian American community or other marginalized groups. Applicants must secure a summer position with a non-profit or government legal organization, or with a judicial officer or organization that has committed to supervising them during the summer of 2024. All students are eligible, but preference is given to1L and 2L students in the San Fransisco Bay area. Summer legal employment is required as well as submission of a personal statement and essay. The due date for these grants is May 15th, 2024.
- Justice Harry W. Low Fellowship: The Law Foundation of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) has also made available the Justice Harry W. Low Fellowship. This esteemed fellowship provides a $10,000 award to support a graduating student in their endeavors to work for public/government agencies or non-profit organizations. Preference is given to candidates who will be contributing to agencies or organizations that offer representation and advocacy for Asian Pacific American communities or low-income Asian Pacific Americans. Applicants are required to have secured or accepted an offer to work in Public Service. Applicants must also be 3L students either graduating from a San Francisco Bay Area school or graduating from any law school who has or will have a full-time position in Public Service in the San Francisco Bay Area. The deadline to submit applications is May 15th, 2024.
- The SAIL Scholarship: The SAIL Scholarship is bestowed upon an individual who will commence their 2L year in the Fall Semester of 2024 and demonstrates exceptional professional promise and leadership potential. Applicants will undergo assessment based on several criteria, including academic excellence during their undergraduate studies and first year of law school, leadership experience, involvement in volunteerism or public service, understanding of social and cultural issues within one or more AAPI communities or a commitment to effecting substantial change in such communities, or both, and dedication to “paying it forward.” The NAPABA Law Foundation is responsible for awarding at least one $7,500 scholarship annually from the SAIL Scholarship Fund. Recipients will receive half of the scholarship amount during their second year of law school, with the remaining portion disbursed during their third year. The deadline to submit is June 1st, 2024.
- Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship: These scholarships offer financial support to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women aiming for higher education and residing from the California areas of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, or Tulare County. Applications will be assessed with priority given, but not restricted to, the following criteria: being a first-generation student, academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to the API community. Recipients will receive $2,000 and the application submission deadline is May 18th, 2024.
