Key Takeaways:
- Getting a scholarship for a paralegal studies degree offers many benefits. It can make your educational journey more manageable and enhance your overall academic and professional experience.
- Look into the different types of scholarships to see what would work for you. They include scholarships from specific schools, professional associations, local bar associations, and online scholarship databases.
- Prepare your application materials. These include a personal statement, recommendation letters, transcripts, and a resume.
- It is important to apply for multiple scholarships and be persistent in following up on your applications.
Scholarships for paralegal studies are available to help individuals reach their goals of becoming paralegals. Paralegal studies is a growing field, with paralegals and legal secretaries very much in demand. Even a paralegal certificate can pay well. A paralegal certificate is one of the top certificates that pay well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these professionals could see a job growth of 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. Paralegal programs, which may be either certificate or associate degree programs, typically take around two years to complete. The good news is that available scholarships make this goal easier to fulfill. Here are five scholarships for paralegal students.
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1. Margaret H. Lewis Scholarship
This paralegal scholarship is in honor or Margaret H. Lewis, a founding member of the Henrico County Attorney’s Office for more than 20 years. Administered through the Local Government Paralegal Association of Virginia, this $1,000 scholarship is available to Virginia residents and students enrolled in ABA-approved paralegal studies or legal assistant programs with an overall GPA of at least 3.0. They must also be ineligible for employer reimbursement. The applicant must submit one letter of recommendation and a current transcript.
2. Cornelia A. Bregman Memorial Scholarship
Aimed at helping older female students, the Cornelia A. Bregman Memorial Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship for women at least 25 years old who are returning to school to earn a degree in nursing, education, administrative services or paralegal studies. Candidates are selected based on their financial situations, future career goals, the likelihood of reaching those goals and their need for professional training. Applicants must be permanent residents of one of the following New York counties: Saratoga, Albany, Columbia, Schenectady, Schoharie, Greene, Washington or Rensselaer.
3. Camille Stell Annual Scholarship
The Camille Stell scholarship is in honor of a dedicated paralegal and teacher who was committed to this field for more than ten years. This $500 scholarship is awarded annually by the Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association in North Carolina. Qualified applicants must demonstrate financial need, have good academic records and show a great chance for success in a paralegal program. Applicants must also submit an essay stating how they feel the legal system in America has changed since starting their paralegal training.
4. Console & Hollawell Legal Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship comes from Console & Hollawell, a personal injury law firm that has been providing services in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1994. This scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who have been accepted into legal assistants, pre-law or paralegal studies degree programs. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens and high school graduates with at least a GPA of 3.0. Candidates must also provide proof of enrollment, an unofficial transcript and a 600-word essay stating what kind of impact they feel they can have on the future law society.
5. Dallas Area Paralegal Association Scholarship
Offered through the Community Foundation of Texas, this paralegal scholarship is available to students who are enrolled in an educational program that results in an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. The scholarship offers from $500 to $1,000 annually. Qualified candidates must be students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, prove financial need, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and have no felony convictions. Applicants must also provide a current transcript, two letters of recommendation verifying work ethic and a 750-word essay describing the relevance of the U.S. Constitution.
Individuals who are interested in pursuing this field join a group of professionals that can make their mark in the legal profession. Some use their training and experience to advance their education and pursue law degrees. While all the available scholarships for paralegal studies may not take away all the financial burden from the student, it lightens the load somewhat.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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