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 12/1/2025
Mark T. Banner Scholarship
This scholarship is part of The Richard Linn American Inn of Court's commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers of high ethics, civility and professionalism.
This scholarship is available to law students who have entered into a JD program at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States and who will continue in that program through at least the Fall 2026 semester. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Mark T. Banner Scholarship review board based on select criteria. A demonstrated commitment to a career in Intellectual Property Law, academic achievement, exceptional communication skills, and resilience and overcoming adversity are a few of criteria.
The application is available on the Linn Inn of Court’s website at: https://www.linninn.org/Pages/scholarship.shtml
Application deadline is December 6, 2025.
Phyllis Hughes Memorial Scholarship
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is a diverse and supportive network of women in all 50 states and in more than a dozen other countries. There are over 60,000 members across the globe. GFWC is dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteering.
The GFWC Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs is the proud sponsor of the Phyllis Hughes Memorial Scholarship. $1,000 is awarded to a woman studying Law in her first, second or third year of the program. The scholarship is nonrenewable.
The applicant must be a woman from Iowa and enrolled at Iowa Law. Scholarship awards are based on volunteerism, leadership, achievement and financial need, in that order.
Applications can be sent to:
GFWC/Iowa Headquarters
3839 Merle Hay Rd, Ste. 201
Des Moines, IA 50310
Include the registration form (please email us at law-financialaid@uiowa.edu for this form), your letter showing your connections to Iowa, volunteerism, leadership, achievements, and a recommendation letter from a college professor.
All items must be postmarked by February 1, 2026. Questions can be sent to gfwciowa@qwestoffice.net.
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