Deadline: May 01, 2023

The application deadline for the Earl Warren scholarship has now passed. Applications will open on November 30, 2023.

The Earl Warren Scholarship is named for the Honorable Earl Warren, the 14th Chief Justice of the United States and former Governor of California whose stewardship of the Warren Court helped end school segregation and transform America’s legal landscape.

In honor of his memory, the Earl Warren Scholarship is awarded annually to rising law students whose commitment to racial justice reveals outstanding potential for training as civil rights and public interest attorneys. Eligible law students include those entering their first or second year of full-time legal study at an accredited law school.

Earl Warren Scholars are Given a Unique Opportunity

LDF’s Earl Warren Scholarship awards are $15,000 per year for three years (as long as scholars remain in good academic standing and continue to meet the scholarship criteria) for a total of $45,000. In addition to financial assistance, Earl Warren scholars are given the unique opportunity of an LDF internship, externship, or guided research project—competitive positions that are sought out by dozens of students every year. For more information, visit our fellowship and internship pagePlease note there is no guarantee that you will be selected. You must apply.  Final decisions are made in August. All applicants will be notified of their status.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline for the Earl Warren Scholarship?

Applications must be completed by May 1, 2023.  Visit our application portal to apply.

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 full sum of their achievements and contributions. Any application review will take into account a candidate’s GPA, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, volunteer activities and personal essays; however, no single component of an application will determine a scholarship award.

May I apply online?

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

Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications from non-U.S. citizens at this time.

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 by the middle of August/September whether they do or do not receive a scholarship.

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

No. 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 a Warren Scholarship?

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

Are fellowships and internships guaranteed with the scholarship?

No, you must apply separately. See LDF Fellowships and Internships.

Can I apply if I am a part-time law student?

No. You must be a full-time student at an accredited law school.

How many recommendation letters do I need?

Two letters of recommendation are needed. We advise applicants to contact their recommenders early to ensure materials are submitted on time.

Can I use my GRE Score if I did not take the LSAT?

Yes, GRE scores are accepted.

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