11 Great Scholarships for Paralegal Degrees

Great Scholarships for Paralegal Degrees

A paralegal plays an important role in a law office. In this career field, a person helps an attorney prepare for trials, various hearings, and client meetings. This person collects, analyzes, and organizes information as well. This profession requires training and education in legal matters. To eliminate some of the burdens associated with college expenses, there are a number of scholarships available to people interested in this job.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Paralegal Scholarship Program 

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. 

$1,000

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. sponsors its annual Paralegal Scholarship Program. Established to help aspiring paralegals in need of financial assistance, this $1,000 scholarship can be used for tuition and/or supplies. The application process consists of:

  • a scholarship application form
  • an official copy of a paralegal school transcript
  • a 500-750-word essay describing the applicant’s educational and career goals. 

Camille S. Stell Scholarship

Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association 

$500

The Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association sponsors the Camille S. Stell Scholarship. Established to recognize Ms. Stell’s “devotion to teach paralegal students and to the paralegal profession,” the $500 scholarship is open to any paralegal studies or legal studies student studying in Wake County, North Carolina. The application process includes a short essay response to a provided question. 

Elizabeth Root Memorial Scholarship

Orange County Paralegal Association (OCPA)

$500

The Orange County Paralegal Association (OCPA) sponsors the Elizabeth Root Memorial Scholarship. Two $500 awards are awarded to paralegal students in need of financial support for pursuing paralegal-related education, seminars, memberships, or certification fees. The application process includes submission of the scholarship application and an essay on an assigned topic. 

Jean H. Proffitt and Susan Brewer, Esq. Scholarship Fund 

Richmond Paralegal Association 

Varies

The Richmond Paralegal Association sponsors the Jean H. Proffitt and Susan Brewer, Esp. Scholarship Fund. Established to help paralegal students in the Richmond metro area, this scholarship can be used for tuition and textbooks. Applicants are awarded based on merit and a displayed dedication to a career as a paralegal.  

Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship

Tennessee Paralegal Association 

$500

The Tennessee Paralegal Association (TPA) sponsors the Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship. It is named for a TPA founding member who lost a battle with cancer in 1993. This $500 award can be used for tuition, books, or other school-related expenses. The application process consists of a questionnaire and a short essay on an assigned topic.  

LEX Scholarship

American Association for Paralegal Education Scholarships

$1,500 (1st place), $500 (2nd place)

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE) sponsors the annual LEX Scholarship competition. The generous $1,500 award for first place can be used to pursue an education in paralegal or legal studies. The application process includes an  essay of 500-750 words and a letter indicating the applicant is in good standing at their current school. 

Meredith R. Pollette, CLAS Scholarship 

North Carolina Paralegal Association 

Varies

The North Carolina Paralegal Association sponsors the Meredith R. Pollette, CLAS Scholarship. Held annually in June through August, the scholarship provides CLA/CP examination fees to two winners. The application process consists of a questionnaire and a short essay. 

Nancy McLaughlin Scholarship

Capital Area Paralegal Association 

$250

The Capital Area Paralegal Association (CAPA) sponsors the Nancy McLaughlin Scholarship. Established in memory of the former CAPA member, this $250 award can be used for a variety of education- or professional-related purposes. The application process consists of an essay on an assigned topic.

PCCE Scholarship 

Paralegal Education Group

Varies 

The Paralegal Education Group sponsors the PCCE Scholarship. It’s meant to assist those preparing to take the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE). This scholarship can be used to purchase a review manual, an online review course, and the exam free for the exam. The application process includes an application and an essay on an assigned topic.  

Robert and Frances Fullerton Scholarship 

California State University, San Bernardino 

$1,900

CSU San Bernardino (CSUSB) sponsors the Robert and Frances Fullerton Scholarship. The approximately $1,900 award is given to a student attending CSUSB and pursuing a paralegal degree. The scholarship is merit-based.  

Thompson/Reuters Scholarship

National Federation of Paralegal Associations

$3,000 (1st place), $2,000 (2nd place)
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) sponsors a number of awards and scholarships for current and future paralegals, including the Thompson/Reuters Scholarship. Two scholarships of $3,000 and $2,000 are available, and each winner also receives complimentary registration and a travel stipend to the NFPA Annual Convention. 

Related:

50 Most Affordable Online Paralegal Degree Programs