External Scholarships
External foundations, nonprofits, law firms, and networking groups support scholarships for students to help finance their legal education. Our financial aid team regularly receives information about these law school scholarships and is ready to help you find the best opportunities.
Current External Scholarships
Organizations, groups, and nonprofits occasionally contact California Western with information about scholarships their agencies offer. While this is not an exhaustive list, the following are some of the scholarships currently being offered:
AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank
The AccessLex Institute® invites you to utilize their newest tool to find money that’s already available to help pay for law school and lower your student loan burdens. Search over 800 carefully curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions, with filters to help you find the ones best suited for you.
VABANC Scholarship
The annual Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern CA (VABANC) scholarship seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Vietnamese-American community. For 2026, VABANC will award at least two scholarships each valued at $2,500, with possibly larger allocations contingent on fundraising capacity by our organization. Open to all law students, the scholarship is intended to assist recipients who are pursuing public interest or social justice goals. Application materials must be submitted by Friday, August 28, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Disability Rights Now Scholarship
The mission of Disability Rights Now (DRN) is to address the lack of opportunities for people with disabilities in the legal profession. Notably, 20% of California’s population have a disability but less than 1% of employees in law firms report being disabled according to the ABA Profile of the Legal Profession 2021. This $5,000 scholarship is open to current California law school students (1L through 3L) who have demonstrated a commitment or interest in disability rights and inclusion in the legal industry. The application deadline is September 1, 2026.
CASD Foundation Law School Scholarship
The Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Foundation (CASD Foundation) was established to make a positive difference in the quality of life for people in San Diego County, focusing on issues related to education, children, survivors of abuse, persons with disabilities, homelessness, victims of wrongful acts, and food insecurity by providing financial assistance and volunteer service to groups in need. The CASD Foundation provides up to $10,000 in annual scholarships to law students committed to consumers' access to justice. Applications are due September 15, 2026.
SDLRLA Scholarship Program
San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) Scholarship Fund proudly announces the 2026 Scholarship Program. Scholarships are awarded to 2L and 3L law school students who meet the criteria of community service, financial need, and academic achievement. Recipients are not limited to persons of a Latino/a background. Instead, the bar stipends are awarded to law students from a variety of backgrounds who have contributed to advancing the Latino/a or Spanish-speaking community and demonstrated potential to succeed. Completed applications and materials must be submitted on or before September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Nancy E. O'Malley Scholarship
The Nancy E. O'Malley Scholarship was founded in 2016 to honor California Women Lawyers (CWL) Past President Nancy E. O'Malley for her dedication and commitment to promoting CWL and protecting all women and children in our society. One scholarship is awarded annually to a law student whose prior and current activities, and future plans, demonstrate a commitment to issues affecting women and/or children in the community. Everyone who meets the requirements may apply. One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded. The application deadline is September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. PST.
OC ABOTA Scholarship
The Orange County Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (OC ABOTA) announces their fall 2026 scholarship. Applicants must be a second- or third-year law student, reside in Orange County or be enrolled in an Orange County law school, and be in good standing at a California State Bar-accredited law school. Applicants must demonstrate legal aptitude, have a minimum 3.0 GPA from the past academic year, and submit a current transcript. The application deadline is October 6, 2026.
California Western is pleased to share information about scholarship opportunities offered by external organizations and/or individuals. These scholarships are administered independently by their respective sponsors and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or administered by the school. Accordingly, California Western does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, availability, eligibility requirements, application processes, deadlines, award amounts, or payment of any outside scholarship. Students are solely responsible for researching scholarship opportunities, verifying information with the sponsoring organization, and determining the legitimacy of any program before applying.
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office is here to help you navigate the financial aid process. If you require assistance or have questions about external scholarships, please contact our office.