The application period for the Herbert Lehman Education Fund scholarship program will open on November 30, 2023. The deadline to apply is April 1. 2024 for undergraduate scholarships and May 1, 2024 for law school scholarships.
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund is a national, highly competitive scholarship that makes annual awards to qualified, outstanding undergraduate and law school students. The scholarship, established in 1964, is named after the former Governor and United States Senator from New York in recognition of his integrity, courage, and persistence on behalf of numerous civil rights causes.
Herbert Lehman Scholarships were initially awarded to help Black students attend formerly segregated four-year colleges and universities in the South and to increase the number of Black Americans in the legal profession.
Today, the mission of the Herbert Lehman Education Fund is to help transform the promise of racial equality into a social, economic, and political reality by supporting talented undergraduate students with financial need to stay in school and successfully complete their bachelor’s degree.
Herbert Lehman Scholarships are open to undergraduate students who meet the eligibility and award criteria. Awards generally do not exceed four years. See FAQs below and access the application here.
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund also offers a limited number of law school scholarships to students committed to pursuing careers in public interest law. Awards generally do not exceed three years. See FAQs below and access the application here.
Students who are interested in applying for scholarships from the Herbert Lehman Education Fund are strongly encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and program description before applying.
Applications for undergraduate scholarships must be completed by April 1, 2024. Visit our undergraduate application portal to apply.
There is no minimum test score or GPA requirement. The scholarship committee will consider each candidate’s GPA, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, financial needs, volunteer activities, and essays. No single component of an application will determine a scholarship award.
Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications from non-U.S. citizens at this time.
No. Lehman Scholarships are only available to students who will be attending universities and colleges in the United States.
Generally, undergraduate scholarship awards are $3,000 per year for four years provided that the student continues full-time study, remains in good academic standing with their college or university, and fulfills all other program requirements.
All applicants will be notified by mid-August/early September whether they do or do not receive a scholarship.
Scholarships are only available to undergraduate students who will be attending four-year colleges or universities full-time. If you start as a junior, you are not eligible.
Applicants must provide a copy of their FAFSA Form and have a family/independent adjusted gross income of $70,000 or less (this line must be completed on the FAFSA form).
Family/Independent income must not exceed $70,000.
Two letters of recommendation are needed. We advise applicants to contact their recommenders early to ensure materials are submitted on time.
Applications for law school scholarships must be completed by May 1, 2024. Visit our law school application portal to apply.
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 consider 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.
Yes, GRE scores are accepted.
Unfortunately, we are not accepting applications from non-U.S. citizens at this time.
Generally, law school scholarship awards are $15,000 per year for three years provided that the student continues full-time study, remains in good academic standing with their college or university, and fulfills all other program requirements.
Applicants must provide a copy of their FAFSA Form with the family/independent adjust gross income line completed (the form must list a dollar amount).
All applicants will be notified by mid-August/early September whether they do or do not receive a scholarship.
No. Law school scholarships are only available to students who will be attending accredited law schools in the United States.
No. Law school scholarships are only available to students who will be attending accredited three-year law schools.
No, you must apply separately. See LDF Fellowships and Internships.
No. You must be a full-time student at an accredited law school.
Two letters of recommendation are needed. We advise applicants to contact their recommenders early to ensure materials are submitted on time.
Eligibility criteria, application process and review, and scholarship amounts/benefits are the same for all law school scholarships via the Herbert Lehman Education Fund and Earl Warren Legal Training Program. All students who apply for a law school scholarship will be considered for both programs. There is one application form for both the Herbert Lehman and Earl Warren law school scholarships. Please complete the application, found here, to be considered for both scholarship opportunities.
