YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR IMPACT. YOUR POTENTIAL.
The California Legal Scholar Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the drive, experience, and potential to make a meaningful impact through their legal education.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on a holistic review that considers:
YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR IMPACT. YOUR POTENTIAL.
The California Legal Scholar Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the drive, experience, and potential to make a meaningful impact through their legal education.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on a holistic review that considers:
YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOUR IMPACT. YOUR POTENTIAL.
The California Legal Scholar Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the drive, experience, and potential to make a meaningful impact through their legal education.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on a holistic review that considers:
- Leadership Experience
Ways you have demonstrated leadership professionally, personally, or within your community.
- Personal Essay
Your goals, experiences, and what earning a law degree would mean for your future.
- Community Impact
Your involvement in service, volunteer work, or other efforts that have positively impacted others.
-
Military Service
Military experience and service, when applicable.
-
Professional Achievements
Career achievements, experiences, and milestones that demonstrate your growth and potential.
-
Potential for Success
Your background, motivation, and demonstrated potential to succeed in the JD program.
- Leadership Experience
Ways you have demonstrated leadership professionally, personally, or within your community.
- Personal Essay
Your goals, experiences, and what earning a law degree would mean for your future.
- Community Impact
Your involvement in service, volunteer work, or other efforts that have positively impacted others.
-
Military Service
Military experience and service, when applicable.
-
Professional Achievements
Career achievements, experiences, and milestones that demonstrate your growth and potential.
-
Potential for Success
Your background, motivation, and demonstrated potential to succeed in the JD program.
- Leadership Experience
Ways you have demonstrated leadership professionally, personally, or within your community.
- Personal Essay
Your goals, experiences, and what earning a law degree would mean for your future.
- Community Impact
Your involvement in service, volunteer work, or other efforts that have positively impacted others.
-
Military Service
Military experience and service, when applicable.
-
Professional Achievements
Career achievements, experiences, and milestones that demonstrate your growth and potential.
-
Potential for Success
Your background, motivation, and demonstrated potential to succeed in the JD program.
Please note that you don’t need experience in every category to be considered.
Please note that you don’t need experience in every category to be considered.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Apply to Taft Law School
Complete your application for admission to the September 7 start term.
2. Receive Your Scholarship Application
After your Taft Law School application is submitted, you will automatically receive an email with a link to the California Legal Scholar Award application
3. Complete Your Scholarship Application and Materials by August 31, 2026
Submit the required:
- Scholarship application
- Personal essay
- Proof of California residency
- Any other required supporting documentation
4. Scholarship Selection Announced on September 2, 2026
Completed applications will be reviewed based on the scholarship selection criteria.
Three recipients will be selected.
WHAT COUNTS AS PROOF OF CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY?
Applicants will be required to submit documentation verifying California residency as part of the scholarship application process.
Examples of acceptable documentation may include:
Valid California driver’s license or identification card
Current California vehicle registration
Recent utility bill showing a California residential address
Current lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement
Other documentation approved by Taft Law School
Taft Law School may request additional documentation when necessary to verify scholarship eligibility.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Apply to Taft Law School
Complete your application for admission to the September 7 start term.
2. Receive Your Scholarship Application
After your Taft Law School application is submitted, you will automatically receive an email with a link to the California Legal Scholar Award application
3. Complete Your Scholarship Application and Materials by August 31, 2026
Submit the required:
- Scholarship application
- Personal essay
- Proof of California residency
- Any other required supporting documentation
4. Scholarship Selection Announced on September 2, 2026
Completed applications will be reviewed based on the scholarship selection criteria.
Three recipients will be selected.
WHAT COUNTS AS PROOF OF CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY?
Applicants will be required to submit documentation verifying California residency as part of the scholarship application process.
Examples of acceptable documentation may include:
Valid California driver’s license or identification card
Current California vehicle registration
Recent utility bill showing a California residential address
Current lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement
Other documentation approved by Taft Law School
Taft Law School may request additional documentation when necessary to verify scholarship eligibility.
NOT SELECTED? YOU CAN STILL BENEFIT.
Only three applicants will be selected to receive the California Legal Scholar Award, but there’s still an added benefit to participating.
Eligible scholarship applicants who complete the scholarship process, are not selected as a scholarship recipient, and enroll in the September 7 start term will receive:
$50 APPLICATION FEE REFUND
PLUS
$500 FIRST-TERM TUITION CREDIT
That’s $550 in enrollment benefits for eligible scholarship participants who enroll for the September 7 term.
The $500 participation tuition credit is separate from the California Legal Scholar Award and will be applied directly toward eligible first-term tuition charges. The $50 application fee will be refunded after enrollment requirements are met.
Your scholarship application link will be emailed to you automatically after your admissions application is submitted.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Your journey begins with your
Taft Law School application.
Your scholarship application link will be emailed to you automatically after your admissions application is submitted
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
*Scholarship Terms: California Legal Scholar Award availability is limited to three recipients. Scholarship awards are applied as tuition credits and are not paid directly to students. Recipients may receive up to $1,500 per academic year for up to four academic years, for a maximum potential award of $6,000, subject to continued eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, and all applicable scholarship terms. Applicants must provide acceptable proof of California residency. The $50 application fee refund and $500 First-Term Tuition Credit are separate participation benefits for eligible applicants who complete the scholarship application, are not selected as California Legal Scholar Award recipients, and enroll in the September 7 start term. The $500 credit is applied directly toward eligible first-term tuition charges. Additional terms and restrictions may apply.
Learn More About Our Juris Doctor Program
Learn More About Our
Juris Doctor Program
