Scholarships
All US citizens and permanent residents of the US who are admitted to the College of Law, as first-year students in the three-year JD program, are automatically considered for Merit Tuition Scholarships and Law Opportunity Tuition Fellowships. Scholarship recipients are notified by email and letter. Any additional information required for these awards will also be listed.
There are additional scholarship opportunities through the Iowa Law Scholarship Application and outside the college that students may apply to once they are enrolled, but they are limited. Awards given after matriculation are awarded for the current academic year only and no guarantee of renewability. In order to maintain any scholarships awarded through Iowa Law, students must maintain good academic and professional standing.
Iowa Law does not offer conditional scholarships. All scholarships are renewable based solely on maintaining good academic and professional standing. For more information on good academic standing, view the College of Law Student handbook. Good professional standing requires ethical and responsible conduct as a member of the law school community in accordance with University and law school policies, including compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. For complete details, see the University of Iowa Code of Student Life and the College of Law Student Handbook.
Scholarships for First-Year Students
Merit Tuition Scholarships and Law Opportunity Fellowships
Students are automatically considered for these at the time of admission and are awarded for the six semesters of the student's legal education at Iowa Law:
Merit Tuition Scholarship
These awards are based on a holistic review of the admissions application, based heavily on academic merit.
Law Opportunity Fellowship
The Law Opportunity Fellowship (LOF) program was established to provide access for students who have overcome extraordinary challenges to enter law school and exhibit demonstrated potential to succeed.
These scholarships and fellowships require that the recipient remain in good academic and professional standing at the College of Law. For more information on good academic standing, view the College of Law Student Handbook. Good professional standing requires ethical and responsible conduct as a member of the law school community in accordance with University and law school policies, including compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. For complete details, see the University of Iowa Code of Student Life and the College of Law Student Handbook. Transfer students are not eligible for these awards.
Iowa Law School Foundation
Iowa Law enjoys a robust scholarship program, thanks in part to the generosity of our alumni and friends through the Iowa Law School Foundation. During the academic year, we will provide you with more details about the people and funds behind your scholarship. You will be asked to write a letter of thanks to the donors responsible for your scholarship. We will work with you to coordinate that effort during your time at Iowa Law.
AccessLex
Scholarship Databank
The AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students find their path. They provide a variety of programs for law students like bar prep and financial education among other topics. AccessLex has a scholarship database, called the Scholarship Databank, that has over 800 vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions for law students.
The College of Law does not control these funds. Be aware of requirements and deadlines as they may vary. For more information about the database, visit the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.
External Scholarships
LSAC
A scholarship list maintained by the Law School Admission Council
ABA Legal Opportunity Fund
The scholarship fund will award $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. 20-25 awards will be made to first-year students and may be renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000 during each student's time in law school. For more information and to apply, visit ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship Search Online
Students can do independent searches online for scholarships. We recommend students contact our office if they have concerns about the validity of a scholarship.
Scholarships for Returning Students
Iowa Law Scholarship Application
This is the main scholarship application through Iowa Law. This application is used to match students to donor accounts through the Iowa Law School Foundation as well provide a small amount of scholarships for students that are returning to Iowa Law. The Main and Supplemental applications are available in October. Check our website below and Iowa Law Announcements for more information.
Amounts will vary. Scholarships are awarded for the current academic year only and no guarantee of renewability for future years.
Iowa Law School Foundation
Iowa Law enjoys a robust scholarship program, thanks in part to the generosity of our alumni and friends through the Iowa Law School Foundation. During the academic year, we will provide you with more details about the people and funds behind your scholarship. You will be asked to write a letter of thanks to the donors responsible for your scholarship. We will work with you to coordinate that effort during your time at Iowa Law.
AccessLex
AccessLex Scholarship Databank
The AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping students find their path. They provide a variety of programs for law students like bar prep and financial education among other topics. AccessLex has a scholarship database, called the Scholarship Databank that has over 800 vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions for law students.
The College of Law does not control these funds. Be aware of requirements and deadlines as they may vary. For more information about the database, visit the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.
MAX Scholarship Drawings
MAX provides short and easy to understand lessons, in-person presentations, online webinars, one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors, and nearly $400,000 in scholarships given out each year.
MAX has built-in incentives to help you maintain motivation and momentum as you progress through the personal finance curriculum developed just for law students.
MAX automatically enters you into scholarship drawings for:
Completing online courses
Attending MAX events online or in-person
Six (6) $5,000 scholarship drawings (2 for 1Ls, 2 for 2Ls and 2 for 3Ls) will take place in both November and February. Each eligible MAX activity completed on an individual level earns an entry into the scholarship drawing pool. The twelve randomly selected students will each have a $5,000 scholarship check sent directly to their institution for application to their student account.
Six (6) $25,000 scholarship drawings (2 for 1Ls, 2 for 2Ls and 2 for 3Ls) will occur in April. Entries earned by completing MAX activities during the academic year will be cumulative and will be included in the April drawings. Up to $25,000 will be paid to each 1L, 2L and 3L winner's institution toward the following year's tuition.
Three (3) $40,000 scholarship drawings (1 for 1Ls, 1 for 2Ls and 1 for 3Ls) will also occur in April. Entries earned by completing MAX activities during the academic year will be cumulative and will be included in the April drawings. Up to $40,000 will be paid to each 1L, 2L and 3L winner's institution toward the following year's tuition.
MAX by AccessLex® Scholarship Drawing Official Rules.
External Scholarships
Throughout the year we receive requests from outside organizations to help promote scholarship opportunities for legal studies. Contact our office for more information about these scholarships. Current opportunities can be found below.
LSAC
A scholarship list maintained by the Law School Admission Council. Mostly for first-year students, but some are available to returning students.
Scholarship Search Online
Students can do independent searches online for scholarships. We recommend students contact our office if they have concerns about the validity of a scholarship.
Have you received a scholarship or fellowship offer? For additional information:
Scholarship (Resident) Scholarship (Non-Resident) Fellowship (Resident) Fellowship (non-Resident)
Current Opportunities
Iowa Law
The Iowa Law Scholarship Application for 2025-2026 closed on Monday, October 20th. The application will be available for 2026-2027 in October 2026.
AccessLex
AccessLex Scholarship Databank
The AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping talented, purpose-driven students find their path from aspiring lawyer to fulfilled professional. They provide a variety of programs for law students like bar prep and financial education among other topics. AccessLex has a scholarship database, called the Scholarship Databank that has over 800 vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions for law students.
The College of Law does not control these funds. Be aware of requirements and deadlines as they may vary. For more information about the database, visit the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.
AccessLex Scholarship Drawings
MAX provides short and easy to understand lessons, in-person presentations and online webinars, one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors, and nearly $400,000 in scholarships given out each year.
MAX has built-in incentives to help you maintain motivation and momentum as you progress through the personal finance curriculum developed just for law students.
- MAX automatically enters you into scholarship drawings for:
- Completing online courses
- Attending MAX events online or in-person
- Six (6) $5,000 scholarship drawings (2 for 1Ls, 2 for 2Ls and 2 for 3Ls) will take place in both November and February. Each eligible MAX activity completed on an individual level earns an entry into the scholarship drawing pool. The twelve randomly selected students will each have a $5,000 scholarship check sent directly to their institution for application to their student account.
- Six (6) $25,000 scholarship drawings (2 for 1Ls, 2 for 2Ls and 2 for 3Ls) will occur in April. Entries earned by completing MAX activities during the academic year will be cumulative and will be included in the April drawings. Up to $25,000 will be paid to each 1L, 2L and 3L winner's institution toward the following year's tuition.
- Three (3) $40,000 scholarship drawings (1 for 1Ls, 1 for 2Ls and 1 for 3Ls) will also occur in April. Entries earned by completing MAX activities during the academic year will be cumulative and will be included in the April drawings. Up to $40,000 will be paid to each 1L, 2L and 3L winner's institution toward the following year's tuition.
MAX by AccessLex® Scholarship Drawing Official Rules.
External Scholarships - New Opportunity 3/12/2026
Josephine Gittler Honorable Scholarship
$1,000 for a student with Autism attending the University of Iowa College of Law or an Advocate in Training.
You will be required to upload:
- Acceptance letter into the University of Iowa Law School
- Two letters of reference
- Personal Statement, no more than 1,000 words, including the following:
If you are applying as a law student with Autism:
- How has your diagnosis impacted your education?
- How do you believe your Autism provides unique perspective in the classroom and in the community?
- How do you plan to leverage your unique talents, qualities, and inherent gifts to help progress the legal profession forward (perhaps by being at the boardroom table or by actively providing counsel to those with disabilities)?
If you are applying as a law student who does advocacy work for those with Autism:
- Describe how interacting with autistic individuals has shaped your life up to this point.
- Describe how you have advocated for or otherwise assisted those with Autism in the past.
- Describe what you plan to do in the future vis-a-vis more advocacy. How will these funds get you closer to that goal?
- Describe why you are the best fit for this scholarship.
All applications must be received by March 15, 2026 for consideration.
Han C. Choi Scholarship
The NAPABA Law Foundation has partnered with the Choi Family to create the Han C. Choi Scholarship, to honor a NAPABA Trailblazer, mentor and leader, who embodies grit and courage in the face of great adversity. The Scholarship Fund will benefit a 1L or 2L law student who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, mentorship experience, and demonstrates an interest in AAPI civic issues. Special consideration will also be given to applicants who have been adversely affected by cancer (as a survivor, or family member of a victim or survivor). The scholarship amount is $5,000.
Deadline: March 20, 2026, 5 pm ET
Please review the online application instructions prior to submitting an application. The Han C. Choi Scholarship recipient must be able to accept the award in person at the GAPABA Gala, May 21, 2026 in Atlanta, GA.
Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship
In partnership with the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, NLF will be accepting applications for the Fred T. Korematsu Summer Fellowship Program. The program will provide $6,000 to a law student for a meaningful summer internship at a public interest organization. The fellow will work to further Fred T. Korematsu's legacy as a civil rights pioneer. Initial funding was provided by Parkin Lee. You must be a rising 2L or 3L during Summer 2026.
Deadline: March 20, 2026, 5 pm ET
The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation 33rd Annual Brown Award
The Annual Brown Award honors excellence in legal writing in American law schools. Any currently enrolled law student in an accredited law school in the US seeking a JD is eligible to submit a paper for the Award. Award amounts vary between $2,500 and $15,000.
Two current copies of legal writing must be submitted along with a letter of recommendation from a law school faculty member or legal professional other than the author of the paper. Submissions must be postmarked no later than May 29th, 2026. See the website for more details on requirements.
SAIL Scholarship
The SAIL Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to an individual who will be a 2L student starting in the 2026 Fall Semester (current 1L students should apply) who has outstanding professional promise and leadership potential. Applicants will be evaluated for (a) academic excellence in their undergraduate school years and first year of law school, (b) leadership experience, (c) volunteerism or service in the public interest, (d) knowledge of social and cultural issues of any one or more AAPI communities or commitment to making a significant impact on issues affecting one or more AAPI communities, or both, and (e) commitment to “pay it forward.”
Award Amount: $7,500 split equally over 2 years. First disbursement will be in August of the second year of law school. Subject to the Scholar’s continued (i) strong academic performance and good character; and (ii) dedication to the concepts set forth in scholarship, the second disbursement will be in August of the third year of law school.
Deadline: June 30, 2026 - 5:00 pm ET
Questions? Contact Us.
Please include your name, phone number, and student ID number with any financial aid correspondence.
Office of Financial Aid
University of Iowa College of Law
280 Boyd Law Building
Iowa City, IA 52242-1113
319-335-9142
law-financialaid@uiowa.edu
Office of Student Financial Aid
University of Iowa
2400 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242-1315
319-335-1450 / 800-553-IOWA
http://financialaid.uiowa.edu
financial-aid@uiowa.edu