Understanding Funded Legal Education Programs
Apart from the state supported institutions whose tuition is collected through direct taxation, there are four types of funded legal education program. First is a grant-in-aid where, as here, the applicant receives an award that must be used towards the cost of attendance at the school for which the awarded is made. Second, are scholarships in the form of tuition stabilizing programs. Upon being accepted to law school, students receive substantial subsidies covering a portion of their tuition costs – sometimes all . The third form is a loan or other obligation to pay back funds received. Here, a student is, in order to receive funds, made to enter into an obligation to pay back funds received which obligates her/him to some form of service to the donor program post-graduation. Finally, are scholarly-researcher grants to cover law school tuition awarded in exchange for some form of research, material, or data required by the granting institution.
Sources of Funds
Within LCAP there are several categories of funding programs. These include scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loan repayment programs that operate through an application process. Scholarships most often are reserved for those who are still in law school and are about to graduate or perhaps have recently graduated. Fellowships are a post-graduate educational adventure that will include an employment component. Grants are unusual but may offer the chance for the team approach to legal education, awarding funding to law schools and other educational institutions. Loan repayment assistance programs are designed to provide financial help to repay student loans for graduates who are employed in legal positions and plans to continue in that employment for the foreseeable future.
A scholarship fund, such as those offered through the Cook County Bar Association, is designed to cover a variety of costs for those students who do not have the financial means to fully pay for such expenses. Scholarships typically are presented from a pool of funds via a competitive process. This pool can be comprised of money raised through the fund-raising efforts of the sponsoring bar association or through grants or awards that have been donated to the bar association for this purpose.
Gaining a fellowship is often considered a prestigious achievement. A fellowship ordinarily requires an applicant hired by an employer, often through an application process through which the qualified applicants are awarded funds to offset an otherwise unpaid law school or bar study program. Fellowships may be tied to a specific program. For example, the Latino Justice/PRLDEF fellowship is available for law graduates studying for the New York Bar exam from May to July. There also are governmental agencies and non-profit organizations that offer fellowships. A fellowship may provide other networking or professional growth opportunities to supplement the financial assistance.
A grant, as distinguished from a fellowship, is awarded through an application or proposal process to state, local or external based educational institutions so that the program can fulfill its function, i.e. fund the legal education endeavors of the applicant. Grants are administered through an agreement and may include the terms of the funding or the duties of the parties. Grants, like fellowships, are usually awarded on a non-competitive basis where applicants who are most suited to the program will be approved. Governmental agencies and non-profit organizations are examples of institutions that may offer grants.
Last, there are loan assistance programs, which can be made available on a competitive basis and may include both grants of money and the promise to grant further financial assistance after graduation. State and local bar associations and legal education programs are among those offering loan repayment programs.
Highly Regarded Legal Education Funding Programs
Numerous institutions across the globe offer these fully sponsored legal education opportunities, collaborating with governments, NGOs, NGOs, foundations, and even industry groups to identify and nurture the next generation of legal trailblazers, all expenses covered.
Universities and civil society organizations are at the forefront of this movement, with programs such as the Chevening Long-Term Fellowship by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Young Peace and Security Fellowship Program by the United Nations Population Fund, and Justice Initiative Fellowships by the Open Society Justice Initiative. The range is vast and each opportunity comes with unique eligibility criteria, but the underlying mission is the same: to provide a transformative education without the burden of financial constraints.
One of the most coveted of these programs is the LLM/PGDip in International Conflict Law offered by the University of Dundee, Scotland. Aimed at mid-career professionals, this program focuses on conflict resolution and management, and accepts only a handful of students each year. The scholarship covers tuition and living expenses, providing exceptional training to a select group who often return to their countries as integral agents of change.
The Dutch UAF scheme (Universitair Fonds voor de Ontwikkelingssamenwerking) has been running since the 1970s and now encompasses more than fifty training programs. It aims to promote self-sufficiency through capacity building. Each year, the scheme supports around 100 high-quality education programs across Africa and Asia in various fields of study. This support is always provided with a key development objective in mind. Applicants must apply to a university of their choice themselves, and then contact UAF for funding. UAF does not support full undergraduate or graduate degrees.
The University of Melbourne’s Sydney Talent Network runs the Global Mobility Fund, offering scholarships for international experiences related to traditional study in law or alternative pathways of interest with impact. These scholarships are extremely competitive, but hundreds receive them yearly.
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Human Security funds PhD students in law who have a focus on human rights. The CIHRN Graduate Fellowships fund doctoral students in health-related law. The World Justice Project’s Global Anticorruption and Integrity Academy is an online community that develops and shares anticorruption educational programs with a focus on training the next generation of leaders. For example, it sponsors training for law students from over 100 law schools.
While we’ve only mentioned a few, there are many similar programs where funding is available, provided you know where to look.
Program Requirements and Process
The eligibility criteria for funded legal education programs can vary from one opportunity to another; however, several common factors transcend most options. First and foremost, applicants should generally have a strong academic or professional background related to their field of interest in legal studies, and such work should ideally be from within the last two to three years. Dedication to academic achievement and the pursuit of knowledge are key qualities that funders look for in candidates as well. This does not mean that those with prior experience are not well considered; some programs actively encourage mature applicants with significant prior experience in the field. When it comes to documentation, it is essential for applicants to provide all required materials and to do so by or before the noted deadline. This could include the completion of an application form, submission of a resume or CV, and the provision of supporting letters or documents. Some programs may even require an interview as part of their selection process. It is also important to pay careful attention to the submission timeline. For some funds and all grants and scholarships, there will be a single deadline for submission of all paperwork. Meanwhile, sponsorships and other programs that include funding for internships or short-term study tours may follow a rolling submission schedule.
The Advantages of Funded Legal Education
Enrolling in a funded legal education program has a multitude of benefits that can significantly ease the burden of the law school journey. Chief among these advantages is financial relief, which can drastically reduce the financial barrier to entry in a profession that is known for its substantial tuition costs and student debt. Government-funded programs in particular are an excellent way to achieve this, as they help to defray tuition costs for the duration of the legal education, as well as provide financial support through stipends and other fiscal assistance.
A less tangible yet equally compelling benefit of funded programs is the higher career prospects they confer. Traditional law students must often compete on their own for internship and job offerings, making it sometimes challenging to get an interview at all. Funded legal education programs, on the other hand , have whole networks and alumni associations of law firms, private corporations, and more plugging for their graduates. Those law schools that have specially-affiliated funded programs – such as Howard University, which houses the U.S. Army JAGC Funded Legal Education Program – undeniably have the edge in hiring practices.
Along with access to better job offers and prospects, enrollment in a funded program or scholarship prompts a significant improvement in networking capability. A law student may know people who work in the industry, but a student in a funded program essentially has a foot in the door of multiple firms, corporations, organizations, and more. The extensive involvement of mandated workers in the Judicial Debarment process further bolsters networking and professional growth by providing the opportunity to build key relationships and skills that can carry over into other endeavors.
Common Challenges
Entering into a funded legal education program is not without its challenges and considerations. Students should review the specific terms of their program to determine if they are willing to fulfill those requirements. One common component of a funded legal education program is a commitment to practice in a specific area of law after graduation. Students should be aware that while some state and federal programs will allow graduates to work for any public (government-funded) organization, others will require that they work in a particular area of the law, even for an organization that is not government-funded. Lower-paying legal jobs in more competitive fields are also another career consideration that may dissuade graduates from accepting such a position. Students should not shy away from these type of programs based on these restrictions; however, it is important for students to remain aware of the obligations that accompany a funded legal education.
Alumni Testimonials
Success stories abound from funded legal education programs. One alumnus, Ramiro Aldana, after receiving a scholarship as an undergraduate, returned to the United States and attended law school where he earned a J.D. He is now a successful attorney with the Department of the Air Force. Another case, Ezequiel Sanchez is a graduate of a public interest law school in Peru and recipient of the Meridian-100 FPL Scholarship. He was able to study at Golden Gate University School of Law where he also earned a J.D. Not only does he work as a staff attorney under California State Senator Kamala Harris, but as a community activist he has helped thousands of immigrants who successfully reside in the state.
The Future of Funding Legal Education
Looking ahead, several trends and innovations are shaping the future of how legal education is funded. One of the most significant factors will be the rise of technology, with more schools and programs expected to provide online education options in the coming years. This could make legal education significantly more accessible to those who cannot afford, or do not want, to leave their home states to attend prestigious schools. Online programs can also be offered at a lower price than brick-and-mortar schools, which still tend to carry six-figure tuition prices. Policy changes at the federal level are also likely to permanently transform some legal education markets. For example, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs recently proposed to expand access to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to veterans who enroll part-time in accredited online law school classes, meaning that they can use their tuition benefits to cover some or all of their expenses while earning a J . D. or LL.M degree online. Another new trend in legal education funding is employer-based financial assistance. Hannon Cortz recently highlighted some of the many law firms that offer their associates financial help to pay off their student loans. Furthermore, certain firms have been known to retain attorneys for positions at the firm after graduation, temporarily paying off their law school tuition upfront, and then serving as participating lenders to them post-graduation. All of this shows that law firms have a vested interest in players in their field who have top education in the field. As expenses for legal education structures become more efficient, this trend may become heralded by other industries that seek similar benefits.