University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law

More in Grants & Scholarships:

External Scholarships

Both prospective and current students may explore links to external scholarships below. Eligibility for these scholarships may be based on financial need, academic achievement, and extracurricular activities.

Attention Financial Aid Recipients:

Scholarships, tuition waivers, and stipends are considered part of your financial aid package. Federal regulations require that Financial Aid Services take these resources into account when determining your eligibility for financial aid awards.  Your financial aid (grants, work-study, loans) and resources may not exceed the cost of attendance (tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, etc.).

Find out more information on how scholarships may affect your financial aid [hawaii.edu]. If you receive a scholarship, tuition waiver, or stipend, you must complete the Financial Aid Change Request Form [hawaii.edu]. If Financial Aid determines that they must revise your financial aid award, they will email you and the revision will be reflected on the MyUH portal.

Eligibility for external scholarships may be based on financial need, academic achievement, and extracurricular activities. These external sites are provided for your information and are not endorsed by the UH Law School.

ONLINE SEARCH ENGINES

The list of search engines listed below are a great place to start looking for external scholarships:

AccessLex Scholarship Databank
Admissions Dean Law School Scholarship Finder
Career InfoNet
FastWeb
OEDb Graduate Scholarships
Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
Scholar’s App

MISCELLANEOUS SCHOLARSHIPS

General Scholarships

For a list of legal writing competitions, please visit the Legal Essay Contest Catalog, maintained by the individuals and members of the University of Richmond School of Law community. See other general scholarships links below:

  • LSAC Scholarships – LSAC has compiled a list of scholarship for in-coming and current Law Students.
  • Phillip Robinson Memorial Scholarship – Any low-income undergraduate or graduate student who is currently enrolled in law school or is actively applying to law school may apply for this scholarship. One $7,000 scholarship. Deadline: March 1, 2025
  • Minority Women in LAS Scholarship – Any African American female undergraduate, trade school or graduate student who is an immigrant or the child of immigrants may apply for this scholarship. One $2,000 scholarship. Deadline: TBA
  • Margot Pickering Aspiring Attorney Scholarship – Any students are eligible to apply if they have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. One $2,500 scholarship. Deadline: Jun 15, 2024
  • Natalie Joy Poremski Scholarship – Any Christian, pro-life undergraduate or graduate student who is pursuing higher education in law, medicine, or political science. One $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: Jun 15, 2025
  • Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship – Any student who is fighting through their own loss of a close family member, legal guardian or loved one, and is in need of financial support for their education as they move forward. One $10,000. Deadline: Jul 20, 2024
  • Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund – The 2024 Trans/Nonbinary Law Graduates of Color Grant Fund will award three unrestricted $1,000 grants, to help offset the costs associated with the period of time between graduation and taking the Bar Exam/employment.  Accepted grantees will also receive a 1-year free membership with the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. See website for criteria and application. Deadline: April 1
  • LGBT Public Interest Scholarship Program for recent law students and/or law school graduate studying for the Bar, and either identify as LGBTQ, or plan to work in the LGBTQ space doing public interest work. One or more scholarships of up to $5,000 each will be awarded annually. Deadline: TBA
  • Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship – The Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship was established to demonstrate support for, as well as to commemorate the historic achievements of, the ILWU and encourage greater awareness and understanding among young people about the ILWU’s economic, social, and political contributions to Hawaii. This $2000 scholarship provides college opportunities for children of ILWULocal142 members whose struggles made Hawaii the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community it is today. The Scholarship is open to the family members of existing, retired and deceased ILWULocal142 members.
    Deadline: TBA
  • BARBRI Law Preview’s Course Scholarship for entering students – Full-tuition scholarships funded by BigLaw firms and Fortune 500 companies that enable entering 1Ls to attend Law Preview’s Law school prep course. To be eligible for a Law Preview Course Scholarship, the applicant must be enrolled to begin law school in the fall and complete the online application before TBA
    Deadline: June 1
  • Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation: Brown Award for Excellence in Legal Writing – $2,500-15,000. 2 copies of current legal writing and a letter of recommendation from a law school faculty member who is not an author of the paper. Submissions must be postmarked no later than TBD.
  • Fitch Law Partners LLP 2023-2024 Scholarships for Students – $1,500-$2,000. Entering law students are eligible for the $1,500 prize and current law students are eligible for the $2,000 prize. Students must have a 3.5+ GPA and be enrolled or accepted to a law school for the following school year. Deadline: TBA
  • The Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Excellence in Ethics Scholarship – $1,000 (first place) or $500 (second place).  Open to current and prospective law students.  In order to qualify, submit completed application with essay regarding the importance of providing pro bono legal services, and be currently accepted or enrolled in a US law school, and be a U.S. permanent resident or citizen. 
    Deadline: July 1, 2025
Scholarships for Entering Students

A scholarship for entering students:

Diversity

Listed below are diversity scholarship sources for students:

  • APIASF AANAPISI (Asian American Native Hawaiian &Pacific Islanders) Scholarship Program – $2,500- $10,000. For students who are of Asian and/ or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-seeking program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Students must also be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible. Strong applicants would also have an emphasis on community service, leadership, and academic achievement. transcript.
    Deadline: TBA
  • APIA (Asian & Pacific Islander American) Scholarship Program – The APIA Scholarship is open to AANHPI undergraduate students, who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), or equivalent, or have earned a GED, attending any U.S. accredited university or college. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards.
    Deadline: December
  • ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship – Grants 10-20 incoming diverse law students with $15,000 of financial assistance over the course of their three years in law school. If you have any questions, please email legalosf@americanbar.org. transcript. The application cycle typically opens in February and closes in April.
    Deadline: April
  • Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Law School Diversity Scholarship – $2,000. Must have completed one semester in law school with a 3.0+ GPA. (1) A completed application form. (2) One page typed essay describing how you have utilized your time promoting ethnic diversity within your community. Alternatively, you may write about how you will use your law degree to promote ethnic diversity in the future. (3) A certified, official copy of your law school transcript.
    Deadline: Postmarked by October 1, 2024
  • George Corey Memorial Scholarship – Total up to $15,000. For 2L a student who (a) demonstrate excellence in their backgrounds; (b) bring to Vorys unique life experiences and perspectives; and (c) exhibit commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion generally, relative to Vorys, and the broader legal profession, and who must accept a summer employment position at Vorys’ in Ohio. Application, transcripts, resume, cover letter, and personal statement required. Deadline: TBA
  • The George H. Nofer Scholarship – The George H. Nofer Scholarship is available each year to provide three $5,000 awards to students who are pursuing a full-time graduate, masters, or doctoral program in law or public policy or administration. Applications open in January. Deadline: TBA
  • George V. Powell Diversity Scholarship -$7,500. For a rising 2L, an opportunity to be a summer associate for Lane Powell. Personal statement, cover letter, resume, transcripts, legal writing sample, 2-3 professional or academic references required. Application to open in Summer 2025. Deadline: TBA
  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund College Scholarship Program – $500 – $5,000. Must be of Hispanic heritage. Deadline: TBA
  • Latham & Watkins, LLP, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Programs – Several opportunities are available, including: 1L Diversity Scholars Program, and 2L Diversity Scholars Program. See links to each opportunity to learn more about upcoming deadlines and benefits. Diversity Scholars Program Deadline: TBA
  • Matsuro and Tsuruko Nakasone Endowment Fund– $1000. Recipients must be full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in any area of study at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, who have an academic focus or interest in Okinawan studies and have demonstrated a commitment to learning about or acquiring a deeper understanding of Okinawa, its people, culture, and history.  Preference shall be given to graduate students. Financial need shall be a criterion in making this award, although not necessarily as defined by federal guidelines. The application is due by March 1.
  • MCCA’s LMJ Scholarship Program – The LMJ Scholarship is a diversity pipeline program that seeks to nurture the academic and professional careers of outstanding diverse law students. The LMJ Scholarship program grants scholarships of $10,000 to students for their first year of law school. See the website to learn more about eligibility and to apply. Deadline: May 1
  • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) – The MALDEF scholarship resource guide includes a list of numerous scholarships with varying deadlines throughout the year. Please check their website for updates on the scholarship list or other scholarship opportunities.
  • Michigan Auto Law Diversity Scholarship – $1,000. For entering, 1L and 2L students with an ethnic or racial minority background and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Application, letter of acceptance (undergraduate only), copy of transcript, and essay due June 1.
  • Milestone Trial LawHer Scholarship – Milestone has established the Trial LawHER Scholarship to help a female law school student achieve her goal of becoming a plaintiff trial lawyer. Eligible applicants must be a female U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled in a 3L law school program for the fall 2025 semester, in good academic standing, and planning to become a plaintiff trial lawyer. Deadline: TBA
  • Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship – $5,000 (five available). For low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training. Future deadline to be determined. Information on 2025-26 education support awards will be available in May 2025.
  • Pipeline to Practice Foundation – The Pipeline to Practice Foundation seeks to support members of groups that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession. The Foundation believes that diversity can be defined along several dimensions, including: race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, first-generation graduate, physical abilities and military service. Deadline: TBA
Home State/County Scholarships

Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys Scholarship  – $2,000 – $5,000. For entering students who received at least 3.0 undergraduate GPA and received their degree in Oregon. Application, essay, undergraduate transcript, letter of acceptance, and proof of residency due on June 30 of year immediately prior to matriculation.

Local

Listed below are scholarship sources for State of Hawai‘i residents:

  • Harriet Bouslog Labor Scholarship Fund – Up to $2,000 per semester. This scholarship aims to provide college opportunities for children of existing and retired ILWU Local 142 members. See the website to learn more about eligibility, FAQ, and to apply. Full-time students who will be enrolled at any University of Hawaiʻi system campus may apply. Application form, oral history (video interview) & essay, a list of extracurricular activities, and letter of reference must be submitted by April 1 each year to qualify for a scholarship in the Fall semester.
  • Hawaiʻi Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS) Tony Lenzer Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships in Aging – $2,000 (four available). For students who have a serious interest in professional work related to aging, long-term care, and/or death and dying.  Enrollment in degree program at any UH campus, HPU, BYU-Hawaii, or Chaminade, two or more semesters to complete before graduation, and GPA 3.0 or higher required.  Future deadline to be announced.
  • The Associated Chinese University Women (ACUW) College Scholarships – ACUW will be a awarding college scholarships of $2,500 open to currently enrolled full-time graduate students in any field of study in an accredited American university including a professional degree administered by the Shidler School of Business, William S. Richardson School of Law, or John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Scholarship award shall be made on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, good character, extra-curricular activities, and involvement in school and/or community service. In addition the applicant must: be Chinese or interested in Chinese culture, be a U.S. Citizens or permanent resident and resident of the State of Hawaii, have a minimum GPA 3.6, be a first-time award recipient. Future deadline to be announced.
Pacific Islands

Listed below are scholarship sources for Pacific Island based residents:

  • Federated States of Micronesia National Government Financial Assistance – For citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia who have been accepted into an accredited institute of higher education and have a 2.0 GPA (certificate and undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduates and postgraduates). Must submit school certified application, acceptance letter or proof of attendance, an original copy of transcripts, copy of passport, and three letters of reference sent directly to the Postsecondary Administrator. Recipients will be expected to return to the Federated States of Micronesia to provide services in his/her respective field for each year he/she receives a scholarship award, or if opting to work abroad, will pay back 50% of the scholarship money received. Apply on or before June 30 of every year for fall and spring awards, December 31st for spring awards, and May 31st for summer awards.
  • Fulbright in South Pacific Asian Nations The Fulbright Program offers grants to qualified graduate students of Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu to study at the graduate level in the United States.
  • Kosrae State Scholarship – For legal citizens of Kosrae State planning to enroll full time in an accredited post-secondary institution. Deadline: June 30 for Fall Semester, and November 30 for Spring Semester.
  • Marshall Islands Scholarship, Grant & Loan Board (MISGLB)  – For Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) legal citizens. MISGLB is offered to students attending the College of the Marshall Islands, and it is offered to all grade levels. This is offered three times a year, depending on which semester the student is applying for. Apply by June 30 for Fall awards, November 1 for Spring awards, and April 1 for summer awards.
  • Palau National Scholarship Board – Palau National Scholarship Board manages and administers government scholarships and seeks additional sources of scholarship opportunities for Palauan citizens pursuing post-secondary education so that they may complete their education and return to Palau to become contributing members of our society. Please check their website for updates on the scholarship list or other scholarship opportunities.
  • Pohnpei State Scholarship – Administered and awarded by the Board of Education, Pohnpei State Scholarship is offered to legal residents and citizens of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Application due on June 30 for Fall awards and December 30 for Spring awards.
  • Chuuk State Sch😊olarship – Administered and awarded by the Chuuk State Scholarship Board, Chuuk State Scholarship is offered to legal residents and citizens of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). For more information on eligibility, please visit this site. Submit your application by June 30th for Fall and Spring semesters.
  • UH Manoa Pacific Islander Scholarship – Up to $4,000. Undergraduate students from eligible Pacific Island districts, commonwealths, territories, jurisdictions, states or nations which do not provide public institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees and pay the 150% resident tuition rate at UH Manoa.
Native Hawaiian

Listed below are scholarship sources for Native Hawaiians:

  • Hawaiʻi Community Foundation – Search for scholarships for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian.
  • Office of Hawaiian Affairs Scholarships – Includes further links to other Hawaiian Civic Clubs and lists some scholarships administered by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
  • Kua’ana Native Hawaiian Student Development Services Tuition Waiver – Need-based tuition waivers for students of Hawaiian ancestry. Must be enrolled full-time at UH Manoa with a 2.5+ GPA (undergraduates) or 3.0+ GPA (graduate). Deadline: TBA
  • Kamehameha Schools Pauahi Foundation – The foundation has over 150 scholarship opportunities available to students.  The Pauahi Foundation scholarship application window for the 2024-2025 Academic Year is now closed. Future deadline to be announced.
  • The National Native American Bar Association – Must be Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian; an active member of NNABA, a regional American Indian Bar Association, or NNALSA; be a graduate or a current third-year law student attending an ABA accredited law school in the US; and be registered to take a State Bar Examination. Deadline: TBA
  • **For 3Ls Only** Parents & Children Together (PACT) – You must be Native Hawaiian and be within 300% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines (E.g. For a household of 1 in Hawaiʻi, to receive this scholarship they cannot exceed $51,930=($17,310*3)). If you are unemployed, you must show proof of any form of benefit or food stamps you are receiving. If you are employed, you must provide tax forms and pay stubs.  You must sign a contract with the organization stating that they will be employed by the time you graduate (and within the year) to be eligible for the funding.  You may call (808)-594-1888 to learn more about this scholarship:  Scholarship information does not appear on the PACT website. The best time to seek this scholarship would be toward the end of June or beginning of July.  The amount of grants they distribute per year is based on the amount of funding they receive from OHA.
Filipino

Listed below are scholarship sources for students of Filipino descent:

  • Available via UH STAR system (Preference given to students of Filipino ancestry)
    • Susannah & Fortunato Teho Scholarship Fund
    • The Francisco D. Gueco Scholarship
  • Available via Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
    • Ambassador Minerva Jean Falcon Hawaii Scholarship
    • Cora Aguda Manayan Fund
    • O’ahu Filipino Community Council Golf Scholarship Fund
  • Center for Philippine Studies Research Grants – These research grants are available specifically for students dealing with work regarding the Philippines to further their research. Funds are not meant for covering any tuition costs related to the students graduate program. All grant recipients will be required to submit a final report and share their research findings as a lecture/talk for the Center for Philippine Studies Colloquium Series.
    • Ligaya Fruto Endowment Fund – Up to $1,000. Filipino UH full time graduate students with a 3.0 or better GPA in Arts and Humanities with a focus on Philippine Studies and preferably of Philippine ancestry. In addition to Arts and Humanities, major field of applicant may be in Journalism, Education, Political Science, Asian Studies, Ethnic Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Women Studies, Public Policy, Social Work, Community Development, and Public Policy. Deadline: First Monday of April after Spring break
    • Belinda A. Aquino International Studies Endowment – Up to $2,000. Filipino UH Full time students with good standing are eligible to apply. Please consult with the Center for Philippine Studies Director before submitting an application. Deadline: First Monday of April
    • Alfonso Yuchengco Endowment Fund – Up to $1,000. Filipino UH full time undergraduate or graduate student in good standing in a social sciences and professional schools with an academic focus on the Philippines/Filipinos Overseas. Deadline: First Monday of April after Spring break
    • Corky Trinidad Endowment Scholarship – Up to $1,000. Filipino UH full time undergraduate or graduate student in good standing (G.P.A. 3.5 and higher) in fields such as journalism, mass communications, fine arts, performing arts, international studies, media studies and human rights who has demonstrated a strong commitment to acquiring a deeper understanding of or learning about the Philippines and the diaspora, its people, traditions and values and institutions over time. Deadline: First Monday of April after Spring break
Pacific Asian Legal Studies

Listed below are Pacific Asian scholarship sources for students:

  • East-West Center Scholarship/Fellowship
    • East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship for students from Asia, the Pacific and the United States with a focus on community building and leading positive change in the Asia Pacific region. It covers tuition, fees, housing at EWC, insurance, book allowance and a modest stipend toward Master’s or PhD study in any field. Deadline to apply: December 1
    • Student Affiliate Program – Open to ALL graduate students at UHM from ALL geographic regions with an interest in the Asia Pacific region. Benefits include: reduced rate housing in EWC dormitories adjacent to campus (currently $19/night), a diverse supportive community, and access to all of the programs and resources of the EWC Education Program, including travel and conference grants.
  • UHM Center for Japanese Studies Scholarship to participate in the 77th Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) for undergraduate or graduate students at UHM. Deadline to apply: December 11
  • UHM Center for Japanese Studies Fellowships/Scholarships – U.S. citizen or permanent resident; UHM graduate and undergraduate students who combine modern foreign language training with area/international studies in full-time degree programs and who demonstrate financial need (submission of FAFSA required).
  • Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship $15,000 stipend and tuition for up to 9 credits per semester. The FLAS application for East Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) can be accessed at the UH scholarship website. Both continuing and incoming students can log on and search for “FLAS.” The site accepts applications from mid-November. There is also a FLAS application for Southeast Asian languages (Cambodian, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese). Deadline to apply: January
  • Star Foundation Graduate Fellowship in Asian Studies – This fellowship is available to full-time Asian Studies M.A. students only[1] .  It is available to U.S. and international students.  Recipients of FLAS fellowships and other major awards are not eligible. Deadline to apply: February 15th
  • The Moscotti Fellowship for Graduate Studies of Southeast Asia – $750 to $1,500. For full-time, classified graduate students in a degree program at UHM in any department or program in the arts, humanities or social sciences whose area of focus is Southeast Asia. Applications are due by February 1st of each year using the UH STAR system.
  • The Association for Asian Studies – Grant Programs Please check their website for updates and deadlines.
Environmental

Listed below are environmental scholarship sources for students:

  • Environmental Protection Agency Fellowships & Scholarships Please check their website for updates and deadlines.
  • Extreme Terrain Scholarship – $2,500 (2 awards- Fall and Spring). For students pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Research, Land Use, Earth and Atmosphere Studies, Sustainable Land Management , Parks and Recreation, and Sustainable Agriculture. Submit a 700-1500 word essay that describes who you are, why you feel it is important to maintain access to public lands for recreational use, and how you plan to use your degree to advocate for the recreational use of public lands.
    Submit by 12:00PM EST on October 15th for the spring semester scholarship and by June 15th for the fall semester scholarship.

See also internal Environmental Law Program Awards and Fellowships.

Public Interest

Listed below are two scholarship sources for students with a public interest:

Undocumented Students/DACA Recipients

Jorge García, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Diversity Initiatives & Financial Aid at the University of San Diego School of Law created this list of Financial Resources for DACA Students [PDF, 51KB]. This document was updated in December 2018 and is posted here with his permission. Listed below are three DACA based scholarships:

University of Hawaiʻi

Listed below are UH scholarship sources for students:

Veterans/Military

United States military personnel and their authorized dependents (as defined by the Armed Services) during the period such personnel are stationed in Hawai‘i on active duty and members of the Hawai‘i National Guard and Hawai‘i-based Reserves may be allowed to pay resident tuition. Please see Residency Requirements.

Listed below are scholarship sources for military personnel and veterans: