Top 5 Law School Scholarships For Disabled Students 2026/2027

Law school scholarships for disabled students can be an essential resource for individuals with disabilities who aspire to pursue a legal education. These scholarships are typically designed to help ease the financial burden of law school tuition and related expenses.

• The scholarships below that clearly cover law school are the Lighthouse Guild Graduate Scholarship (legally blind students), the Buckfire & Buckfire Law School Disability Scholarship and the California Law School Students with Disabilities Scholarship.
• Several well-known disability scholarships are not for law students (Anne Ford, Melanie Foundation, Klausman). They are marked clearly below.
• Next deadline to watch: the Lighthouse Guild graduate scholarship, which closes on 28 February 2027.
• Most of these are for U.S. citizens or students enrolled in the U.S. Check the “Who can apply” note for each one.

Law School Scholarships for Disabled Students at a Glance

Lighthouse Guild Scholarship Program

Lighthouse Guild offers scholarships to legally blind students, and the graduate scholarship covers law degrees (JD) as well as master’s, PhD and medical degrees. The program supports students in their educational pursuits and helps them achieve their academic and career goals. Vsit the official page

• Amount: up to $10,000 for graduate students.
• Who can apply: legally blind, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, college senior or graduate student seeking a graduate, law, medical or PhD degree, with proven academic achievement.
• Application window: the 2026 window ran from 1 January to 28 February, and the 2027 deadline is listed as 28 February 2027.

Buckfire & Buckfire Law School Disability Scholarship

The Buckfire & Buckfire law firm offers a scholarship to students with disabilities or injuries who are in need of financial assistance for education, including aspiring, incoming and returning law students. Visit the official page here

• Amount: $1,000.
• Requirements: diagnosed disability, U.S. citizen, attending college or graduate school, and at least one semester completed. Financial need applies.
• Essay: under 500 words.
• Deadline: September 30 (annual).

California Law School Students with Disabilities Scholarship

This scholarship supports California law students interested in disability rights and inclusion.

• Amount: $5,000, one award each year.
• Who can apply: current first-, second- or third-year law students at a California law school who show a commitment to disability rights and inclusion in the legal profession.
• Deadline: listed as 1 September 2027.

The Coelho Center Law Fellowship Program

The Coelho Center Law Fellowship Program is designed to serve students with disabilities interested in pursuing law school. It is a pre-law fellowship, not a law school scholarship.

In particular, we believe in creating a strong pipeline of law students with disabilities who will go on to serve as attorneys, judges, public policy professionals, and public servants. As such, students who identify as a person with a disability/disabled are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligibility to Apply for Coelho Center Law Fellowship Program:

• Students must be currently enrolled in a community college, college, or university, or be a recent graduate.
• Applicants do not need to be certain that they would like to attend law school. Only an interest in the law is required.
• The program does not require “proof” of disability.

What it offers: a summer disability rights law course, mentoring and support through the law school application process, and a $1,000 stipend on completion. The 2026 cohort ran from June 1 to August 1, 2026, and applications closed on March 8, 2026. The 2027 application has not been posted yet, so watch the Coelho Center website in early 2027.

(AAPD) Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award recognizes emerging leaders with disabilities who have demonstrated leadership and advocacy within the disability community. It is an award, not a scholarship, and it is not limited to law students.

• Amount: two recipients each receive $10,000 in recognition and $15,000 to further a new or existing project that increases opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Deadline: the 2027 award closed on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:00pm ET. Applicants are notified by December 2026.
• Next step: watch the AAPD website for the next call, usually in the autumn.

The Karman Healthcare Mobility Disability Scholarship

This scholarship is open to students with a mobility disability. It provides financial support to help cover educational expenses. You can check the Karman Healthcare website for details on how to apply. It is not specific to law students. Requirements For Karman Healthcare Mobility Disability Scholarship

• Must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
• Aged sixteen (16) years or older.
• Open to all college and university students with a mobility disability who use a wheelchair or other mobility devices on a regular basis.
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 (or equivalent).

Amount and deadline: two $500 awards. The deadline is September 1 each year, so the 2026 cycle has passed.

1800wheelchair.com Scholarship

This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance for educational expenses to students with a mobility disability. It is not specific to law students, and some listings describe it as an undergraduate award, so confirm your level on the official site. Requirements For 1800wheelchair.com Scholarship

• Enrolled at an accredited college or university in the U.S. (international students are eligible if they hold a valid student visa or are legal residents).
• Aged sixteen (16) years or older.
• Carry a status of “good standing” (i.e. currently enrolled).
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or equivalent).

Amount: one or two $500 awards each year. Preference is given to students with a mobility disability. Deadlines are listed differently on different websites, so check the official website for the current date.

The Anne Ford Scholarship (Not for Law School)

Administered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, this scholarship is for students with documented learning disabilities, including dyslexia. It is for students starting a bachelor’s degree, not for law school, but it is included here because many readers ask about it.

Requirements For Anne Ford Scholarship This program is open to graduating high school seniors who have a documented learning disability and plan to work full-time on a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year college or university.

• Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be able to demonstrate financial need.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Applicants must:

1. articulate their challenges and recognize the importance of self advocacy;
2. be committed to completing a 4-year college degree and have begun to set realistic career goals;
3. participate in school and community activities;
4. have demonstrated academic achievements consistent with college and career goals;
5. plan to contribute to society in ways that increase opportunities for other individuals with learning disabilities, and
6. excel as a role model and spokesperson for others who struggle with learning disabilities.

Amount: $10,000 ($2,500 a year for four years). Recent application windows have closed in spring (April), so check the National Center for Learning Disabilities website for the next dates.

The Melanie Foundation Scholarship (Not for Law School)

The Melanie Foundation offers a $2,500 scholarship to graduate students in the mental health field. It is not open to law students, because programmes must be in mental health and accredited by bodies such as the APA, CSWE and CACREP. It is included here for readers who study the intersection of law and mental health in a mental health programme. Requirements For Melanie Foundation Scholarship Participants must meet the following criteria:

• Curriculum vitae. Please include e-mail address. (PDF)
• Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and/or graduate). Official transcripts may be requested at a later date. (PDF)
• Two letters of reference supporting the candidate’s application from adults who have known the candidate for more than 1 year (at least one from a professional in the mental health field, another from an individual who has known the candidate for 5 years or more). Letters of reference should be emailed directly to the foundation’s email address (melaniescholarship@live.com) with the applicant’s name as the subject. (PDF)
• A typed (double-spaced) essay of no more than two pages on how your experiences in the mental health profession have shaped your life and how you will use your college and graduate education to assist communities in a manner consistent with Melanie Merola O’Donnell’s values of compassion, generosity, respect, and honesty. (PDF)

Deadline: usually early March each year (listed as March 5, 2027).

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships (Zonta International) (Not for Law School)

This scholarship supports women pursuing business-related degrees. Law is not among the eligible fields, so most law students will not qualify. Eligibility For Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships

• Women of any age pursuing a business program with a major field of specialization in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible.
• Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute.
• Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through the final year of a master’s program at the time the application is submitted to the local Zonta club. Applicants must still be in school at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed.
• Previous district and international Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship recipients may not apply to renew the scholarship for a second year.
• Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members, are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.
• Golden Z club members are eligible to apply.

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation (ELA) Scholarship (Status Unconfirmed)

ELA has offered scholarships to women with physical disabilities who are pursuing postgraduate degrees, including law degrees. We could not confirm that the scholarship is currently active, so check the foundation’s website or contact it before you spend time on an application. Requirements for Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation (ELA) Scholarship (from earlier cycles)

• Applicant must be a woman with a physical disability, currently accepted to a graduate program working towards a master’s degree or above in an accredited college or university in the U.S.
• Applicants must first submit a completed online application, then submit the completed ELA Scholarship Application form with signed affidavit along with the completed ELA Verification of Disability form filled out and signed by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or physician.
• An essay of 1,000 words or less (typewritten in 16-point font, double spaced); two typed letters of recommendation from current teachers, faculty members or employers on their letterhead regarding your scholastic aptitude, leadership abilities and personal qualifications.

Other Disability Scholarships Law Students Can Consider

The Johnson & Johnson Access-Ability Lime Connect Scholarship offers 10 awards of $10,000 to college and graduate students with disabilities. It is not law-specific, and the next call is expected to open around August 2027.

Can International and Nigerian Students Apply For law school scholarships for disabled students?

Most of the scholarships above are for U.S. citizens, permanent residents or students enrolled in the U.S. Lighthouse Guild requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, Buckfire & Buckfire requires U.S. citizenship, and Anne Ford requires U.S. citizenship.

The Karman Healthcare and 1800wheelchair.com scholarships require enrolment at a U.S. college, and 1800wheelchair.com is open to international students with a valid student visa. If you are a Nigerian student studying in Nigeria, most of these will not be available to you. See our other scholarship guides for opportunities open to Nigerians.

Conclusion

In conclusion, scholarships for disabled students play a vital role in promoting inclusivity and accessibility within higher education, including law schools.

These scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of pursuing a legal education for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to achieve their academic and career goals. While specific scholarship opportunities may vary, disabled students can find support from various sources, including law schools, external organizations, and advocacy groups.

It’s essential for aspiring law students with disabilities to proactively seek out these opportunities, carefully review eligibility criteria, and prepare strong applications to secure the financial assistance they need to succeed in their legal education journey. Also ask the financial aid office of your law school about its own scholarships for students with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions about law school scholarships for disabled students

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