The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Earl Warren Scholarship Program awards are $15,000 per year, over three years, for a total of $45,000 - - provided funds remain available. Scholars must be in good academic standing and continue to meet the scholarship criteria to maintain eligibility. 

 In addition to financial assistance, Earl Warren scholars are given special consideration for an LDF internship, externship, or guided research project. This opportunity is advertised on LDF’s website. Please note, fellowships and internships are not guaranteed.  

 Final decisions are made mid-August/September, at which time all applicants will be notified of their status.

Eligibility

•         U. S. Citizen

•         College graduate; enrolled in the final year of college/university; or first-year law student

•         Record of strong academic performance

•         Demonstrated an ongoing commitment to racial justice and civil rights

•         Demonstrated financial need

Scholarship Application Checklist - Your application must include all items listed below:

•         Completed scholarship application form

•         Copy of acceptance letter to law school

•         Two letters of recommendation 

•         Resume

•         Copy of transcript from current college/university (finalists will be required to submit an official transcript)

•         Essay

•        Personal statement

•         Copy of LSAT score or GRE Score

•        Copy of Student Aid Report [FAFSA]. The adjusted gross family income line of your FAFSA form must be completed with a dollar amount or applicants must include a tax return. (Your parents’ income tax return or your own if you filed as an independent student.)

•        Finalists will be required to submit a recent professional photo.  (As a guideline, your face should take up approximately 60% of the frame.)   

Frequently Asked Questions

 •         When is the application deadline for the Earl Warren Scholarship?

Applications must be completed by May 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (est.)

•        Is there a minimum LSAT or GPA requirement to receive an Earl Warren Scholarship? 

 There is no minimum test score or GPA requirement. Candidates are judged holistically and by the sum of their achievements and contributions. Any application review will consider a candidate's GPA, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, volunteer activities, personal essay, and financial need. No single component of an application will determine a scholarship award.

•        Am I eligible for a scholarship if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No. You must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for the scholarship.

•         How/ when are awardees notified? Will I be notified if I don’t receive an award?

 All applicants of the Earl Warren Scholarship will be notified in Mid-August/September, via email.

•         May I apply for an Earl Warren Scholarship if I am not attending a law school located in the United States?

 No. Earl Warren scholarships are only available to students who will be attending accredited law schools in the United States.

•         I will be attending an unaccredited law school next year. May I apply for an Earl Warren Scholarship?

 No. Earl Warren Scholarships are only available to students who will be attending accredited three-year law schools.

•        Am I eligible if I attend law school part-time? 

 No. Applicants must be full-time students.

Note: We recommend that you only create one application to avoid problems with your submission. 

Also, reach out to your recommenders early so that your recommendations will be submitted on time.

For questions or comments contact Eve Anderson at eanderson@naacpldf.org or scholarships@naacpldf.org.