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Paralegal Student Resources, Scholarships, and Support Services

Succeed in your online paralegal studies degree program by taking advantage of helpful student resources and support services from academic and career counseling to student organizations, legal communities, and more. Plus, lower your program costs with scholarships available specifically to paralegal students. In this STEPS guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best scholarships and offer valuable advice to increase your chances of winning an award.

Author: Michael Hoffman
Editor: Kimberly Zaski
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Completing a paralegal education program and obtaining paralegal certification is a big step toward a rewarding career. But whether you’ve chosen your program or still looking at options, one big question for most prospective paralegal students is: How will I pay for my paralegal education? Fortunately, there are lots of resources to help qualifying students fund their studies, including loans, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, VA benefits (for active and veteran military), and more. The best of the bunch, though, are scholarships and grants because they do not have to be paid back.

To get you started, here is a sample of current scholarships and grants available to paralegal students. We’ve also included some tips for winning scholarship awards and links to useful resources for paralegal students and professionals.

15 Scholarships and Grants for Paralegal Students

If you’ve found your ideal paralegal program but aren’t sure you can afford it, this list is for you. These scholarships and grants are available exclusively or inclusively to paralegal students. Apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning. In addition to those listed here, consider scholarships available to public service students and be sure to check local and state resources for scholarship opportunities in your area.

Buckfire Law Scholarship

  • U.S. students can apply for this scholarship after completing a minimum of one semester in a paralegal program. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a completed application form, and an essay explaining their career and education goals.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: October 1

Cathy Canny Paralegal Scholarship

  • Sponsored by the Indiana Paralegal Association, this award is open to students attending a paralegal program in Indiana. Selection criteria include GPA, education and/or employment history, community involvement, letter of recommendation, and the applicant’s essay question response.
  • Amount: $2,500
  • Deadline: April 30

Diversity in Law Scholarship

  • The Diversity in Law Scholarship is available to law school and paralegal program students who identify as African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native Alaskan, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. Applicants must submit an essay answering the question: How will your law degree help your community?
  • Amount: $1,500
  • Deadline: July 25

Elizabeth Root Memorial Scholarship

  • Available to paralegal students who are members of the Orange County Paralegal Association in California, this award can be used to help cover the costs of tuition, seminars, meetings, and paralegal certification fees, including those for the Certified Paralegal (CP) or Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) exams.
  • Amount: $500
  • Deadline: October 10

Eula Mae Jett Scholarship

  • This scholarship is available to California residents who are students enrolled in an approved online or on-campus paralegal or other law program (legal assistant, legal secretary, court reporter, court clerk, etc.). Separate awards are given in three categories: graduating high school seniors, college students (who’ve completed at least one year of college), and career changing students (including those reentering the workforce).
  • Amount: $2,000 and $1,000
  • Deadline: April 1
  • Available to junior and senior undergraduate and master’s students interested in pursuing a legal administration related career, including as a paralegal. Eligibility criteria include a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrated leadership ability, participation in extracurricular activities, and essay describing how winning the scholarship will impact the applicant’s future legal career.
  • Amount: Up to $10,000.
  • Deadline: January 31

Jean H. Proffitt and Susan Brewer, Esq. Scholarship Fund

  • Awarded through the Richmond Paralegal Association, this scholarship assists paralegal students with their tuition and textbook costs. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an approved paralegal program in the Richmond VA metro area and demonstrate strong academic ability through previous education accomplishments and grade point average.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: October 1

Justin Magnuson Justice Reform Foundation Scholarship

  • This award is open to all undergraduate and graduate students at US-based colleges and universities with an interest in working toward justice reform. Applicants must have an excellent academic record and a demonstrated ability to lead.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: September 10

Maricopa County Bar Association and Foundation Scholarships

  • Two scholarships are awarded annually (one from the MCBA Paralegal Division and one from the MCBA Foundation) to paralegal students. Eligibility requirements include Arizona residency, student membership in the MCBA Paralegal Division, current enrollment in a formal paralegal program, and minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Amount: $1,200
  • Deadline: October 7

Nancy McLaughlin Scholarship

  • Members of the Capital Area Paralegal Association (CAPA) in Texas can apply for this scholarship to help cover paralegal-related expenses, including paralegal certification course and exam fees, seminars, CAPA membership dues, tuition for paralegal programs at several Texas public colleges and universities, and more.
  • Amount: $250
  • Deadline: November

NePA Certified Paralegal Scholarship

  • Created by the Nebraska Paralegal Association to encourage and assist paralegals in pursuit of the Certified Paralegal designation, this scholarship is for Nebraska or Iowa residents who are NePA members and meet the NALA Certified Paralegal exam eligibility requirements. Selection criteria include recommendation, essay content, service to NePA and/or NALA, career plans, community activities, accomplishments, and honors.
  • Amount: $925
  • Deadline: August 1

Paralegal Association of Central Ohio (PACO) Scholarships

  • PACO annually awards one $500 paralegal student scholarship and one $250 paralegal certification scholarship. Applicants must show proof of payment to or transcript of a Columbus State Community College or affiliated paralegal program, or payment of a certification exam. Selections are made considering the applicant’s educational experience, work history, and financial need.
  • Amount: $500 and $250.
  • Deadline: April 15

Saginaw County Lawyers’ Auxiliary Scholarship

  • Available to Saginaw County, Michigan residents pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in any law-related field (including paralegal) at a Michigan college or university, this award requires applicants possess a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible.
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: February 7

San Diego Paralegal Association Student Scholarship

  • This one-time award is available to San Diego County students enrolled in a paralegal program currently or for the upcoming term. Selection considerations include academic and professional achievement, community/extracurricular activities, and leadership, work history, and family attributes. SDPA membership is not required.
  • Amount: $500
  • Deadline: May 15

Susan Haney Grant

  • The Susan Haney Grant is an essay-based award open to all voting, associate, student, and emeritus members of the Capital Area Paralegal Association. CAPA members can nominate themselves or another individual for this grant by submitting an essay highlighting the nominee’s dedication to community service. The winning essay is featured in the CAPA newsletter. Funds can be used at the recipient’s discretion.
  • Amount: $250
  • Deadline: November

College-Sponsored Scholarships for Paralegals

You may be eligible for school-sponsored scholarships and grants exclusively for students in your paralegal program. Opportunities may be merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both. Some schools offer scholarships and grant awards to all of their paralegal students. Below are examples of school-sponsored scholarships but contact your program directly to see what resources may be available to you.

David Goldstein Memorial Scholarship

  • Two scholarships of $3,000 each are awarded each fall and spring to students currently enrolled in the Paralegal Studies program San Francisco State and planning a career in criminal law. Applicants must have completed at least one semester in the program and have at least one semester to go and have completed or be enrolled in the program’s Criminal Law class or completed volunteer work or an internship in criminal law. Submittals include an essay detailing the applicant’s career plans.
  • Amount: $3,000
  • Deadline: October 31 (Fall Semester); March 31(Spring Semester)

Hamline University Paralegal Scholarships

  • Hamline University in Minnesota offers two scholarship opportunities for students pursuing paralegal certificate programs at the school. The 3M Scholarship is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student annually. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and contribute to the diversity of the paralegal profession. Department scholarships are one-time awards of up to $2,000 for paralegal/MSL students.
  • Amount: $1,000 (3M Scholarship) and up to $2,000 (department scholarships).
  • Deadline: Rolling

Road to Success Scholarship

  • Qualifying students enrolled in the paralegal program at the University of Texas Austin are eligible to apply. Applicants must live in Texas (US citizen or permanent resident) and meet household income limits. Selections are made considering the applicant’s submitted essay, evidence of prior achievements, and assessment of the applicant’s potential to succeed in the program.
  • Amount: Up to 80% of tuition
  • Deadline: April 8

Taft Scholars Program

  • Offered through the University of Cincinnati College of Law, the Taft Scholars Program provides several financial, academic, and career-oriented benefits to UC paralegal students. Taft Scholars receive full tuition coverage, a community mentor, research assistant placement, and invitations to legal events.
  • Amount: Full tuition.
  • Deadline: Rolling

Increase your Chances for Paralegal Scholarships

Paralegal scholarships are often quite competitive, so it’s important that every application you submit is the highest quality. There are lots of things you can do make your applications stand out and increase your chances of winning top awards. Here are six tips for success:

Start as soon as possible.

Once you’ve decided to pursue a paralegal education, start your scholarship search right away. It takes time to find all of the scholarships you’re eligible for and application deadlines vary throughout the year. Getting started early allows you to apply to those with deadlines quickly approaching. Finally, by starting early, you have more time to ensure each application you submit is well-written and complete.

Apply for as many scholarships as possible.

There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply for and win, so, apply for as many as you can as time allows. Remember to choose your scholarships carefully, making sure that you meet all eligibility requirements.

Don’t shy away from scholarships with more “challenging applications.”

If you’re like most people, you’re probably turned off by scholarship applications that are lengthier and require greater detail than others. Don’t let that stop you from applying, though. The reasoning here is that most people will feel the same and pass on these scholarships in favor of easier, shorter applications. That means less competition and, in turn, an increased chance for you to win the award if you apply.

Highlight your achievements.

An effective way to make sure your application is memorable is by highlighting your achievements. Whether personal, academic, or professional, it’s your past achievements that scholarship selection committees what to know about. They’re what make you stand out from your competition, and standing out in a positive way is what wins scholarships.

Follow instructions carefully.

All scholarships have their own specific application requirements and instructions. It’s critical that you understand and meet all of them in full. The reason is simple: Any deviation from the requirements and instructions almost always results in automatic disqualification of your application. So, read through the instructions thoroughly before beginning to fill the application out. And go over them again several times throughout the application process to confirm all are met before submittal.

Don’t be late!

With few exceptions (most notably those through paralegal programs themselves that often accept applications on a rolling basis), all scholarship opportunities come with their own hard application deadlines. It is critical that you are fully aware of any and all deadlines at the very beginning and throughout all stages of the application process. Mark your calendars, add lots of teasers, and do whatever you can to ensure you do not miss a deadline. A missed application deadline negates your chances for winning a scholarship award.

Online Resources & Support for Paralegal Students

The path to a paralegal career isn’t always straightforward. There are many options to consider, beginning with your education program. There are many paths you can take once you’ve completed your education program and begun your working career. The good news is that there are great resources to help throughout your paralegal studies and into your career. Below are links to several of those resources.

Paralegal News, Articles, and Podcasts

  • Above The Law: Clearinghouse website with tons of great frequently updated articles, podcasts, opinion pieces, and more on legal news, trends, and issues of all kinds.
  • Lawyer 2 Lawyer: This podcast looks at some of the most popular news stories and analyzes them from a legal perspective. Listeners hear from legal experts discussing current cases and recent rulings.
  • Let’s Talk Paralegal Hosted by Eda Rosa: Podcast featuring candid discussions with a wide range of distinguished law personnel (lawyers, paralegals, law professors, court reporters, etc.) about paralegal news, research, trends, and legal business practices.
  • The Paralegal Voice: The Paralegal Voice is an award-winning podcast that describes itself as a “comprehensive educational resource for paralegals and all legal professionals at any level of experience.”
  • 10 Tips for Better Legal Writing: Article from the American Bar Association offering valuable tips for the improvement of all forms of legal writing. Included are recommendations and links to several additional resources with advice on legal writing.

Paralegal Professional Associations and Student Organizations

  • American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE): The AAfPE is a member-based association that provides an educational resource library, peer-reviewed journal, and other educational resources for paralegal students and professionals.
  • American Bar Association (ABA): The preeminent professional association of lawyers in the United States. Visitors to the ABA’s website can access an abundance of quality law-related resources including news and information specifically for paralegals.
  • National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA): The NALA is a professional association dedicated to the advancement of the careers of paralegals and other legal professionals. Student memberships are available with benefits that include networking opportunities, access to NALA’s online career center, affinity discounts, and more.
  • National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc (NFPA): Network of nearly 40 paralegal professional associations representing over 4,000 professionals and students throughout the nation. Visitors to the site can access a variety of NFPA resources including its robust online library of news updates and discussions on top issues and trends in the paralegal community.
  • Paralegal Student Organization: North Hennepin Community College has a student organization for paralegal students to attend legal panels and events and participate in networking opportunities.

Paralegal Social Media and Online Communities

  • ABA Journal: Stay informed on current news updates in the legal field on the ABA Journal’s X account. Paralegals benefit from reading the research and insights from the nation’s top legal voices.
  • The American Lawyer: For paralegals looking to stay up to date on news stories and legal analysis, The American Lawyer keeps readers informed via X on top issues at the national and global level.
  • Bloomberg Law: A highly trusted news source for legal professionals, Bloomberg Law posts frequent updates on X regarding current events from a legal perspective.
  • Paralegal Network: This LinkedIn group is for paralegal students and professionals looking to expand their connections in the paralegal community, discuss ideas, and share insights.
  • Perfectly Paralegal: This private Facebook group is designed to connect paralegal professionals with mentorship opportunities, educational resources, event opportunities, and career advice.

Support Resources for Students in Online Paralegal Programs

  • CourtListener: Sponsored by the nonprofit Free Law Project, CourtListener is a database search engine that allows users to search millions of legal decisions from over 450 jurisdictions.
  • FindLaw: Excellent resource for information on dozens of legal topics. Visitors to the site can also search for U.S. codes, case law, laws by state, and more.
  • Legal Information Institute: This Cornell Law School website acts as a comprehensive repository of information on all aspects of U.S. law, the legal process, and the legal profession that can be accessed by anyone, including paralegal students and professionals.
  • LexisNexis: Paralegal students can use LexisNexis to conduct legal research and organize materials applicable to course projects.
  • NCAPA Mentorship Program: Paralegal students in the Washington, DC area can be mentored through their academic and career advancement by an experienced legal professional through the National Capital Area Paralegal Association (NCAPA) Mentorship Program. Participation requires NCAPA membership and a six-month commitment to the program.
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Michael Hoffman AUTHOR

Michael Hoffman is a skilled freelance journalist with nearly 15 years of experience specializing in the research and writing of online content. He has authored nearly 300 articles for higher education-focused websites (including over 35 for Steps) covering a wide range of academic fields, such as business, healthcare, education, public service, computer science and information technology, and many others. Michael is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael practiced for several years as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked in Santa Monica, California as a development executive for a major film producer.

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Kimberly Zaski EDITOR

Kimberly Zaski is an award-winning writer, editor, and higher education marketing professional, with more than 30 years promoting lifelong learning, degree programs and educational opportunities for nontraditional students. As a marketing director for the University of Nevada, Reno, she and her team won national awards for writing, advertising, and publication design. Following her 25-year career at UNR, Kimberly spent 8 years as chief membership officer and VP of corporate partnerships for UPCEA, the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, in Washington, DC. Kimberly is a graduate of the University of Nevada’s Reynolds School of Journalism, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees with an emphasis in print, public relations and marketing. She has written and edited hundreds of articles and features, working as a news reporter based in North Lake Tahoe for five years.

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