Gifts from generous Mizzou alumni and friends of the School of Law enable us to provide a significant number of these scholarships to law students each year.

All first-year applicants to the School of Law are automatically considered for scholarships — no other applications are required. LSAT/GPA scholarships are awarded based on undergraduate grade point average, performance on the LSAT, and other relevant application documents such as the personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Qualified students are notified of their scholarship award at the time of admission.

The priority deadline to apply for admission and first-round scholarships is January 15.

All students admitted to Mizzou Law who are not awarded a merit scholarship upon admissions are eligible to apply for the School of Law’s Need Based / Adversity Scholarship. Students not awarded a merit scholarship will be given application instructions when they are admitted. All applications for the Need Based / Adversity Scholarship program will be reviewed using a holistic consideration of an applicant’s law school application and a financial need assessment using information reported on the FAFSA. This scholarship program requires students to complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 15. Students awarded a merit scholarship are not eligible for a Need Based / Adversity Scholarship.

NOTE:  For the 2024-2025 academic year, the FAFSA will be available in December. It is recommended that students complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible in December 2023.          

The priority deadline to apply for admission and first-round scholarships is January 15.

Mizzou Law employs students through part-time jobs funded through the Federal Work-Study Program. All work-study positions are located in the law school library and student employees receive biweekly pay checks.

Federal Direct Loans are issued directly from the government and offer flexible repayment terms, fixed interest rates, and vast deferment options.

With the Federal Direct Loan Program, you

• Borrow directly from the federal government and have a single contact — your loan servicer — for everything related to repayment
• Have online access to your Direct Loan account information via your servicer website
• Can choose from several repayment plans that are designed to meet the needs of almost any borrower, and you can switch repayment plans if your needs change

For law students there are two types of federal loans available:

1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program — Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans that can help you pay for law school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. The annual loan maximum for law students is $20,500 per academic year and the interest rate for 2024-2025 is fixed at 8.08%. This loan has an origination fee of 1.057% and repayment begins six months after graduation.
2. Direct PLUS Loans for Professional Students — Law students can borrow a Direct PLUS Loan to help cover education expenses. To qualify for the PLUS loan you must pass a credit check. You can’t have adverse credit so get your finances in order and make sure your credit file is accurate. For a free copy of your credit report visit www.annualcreditreport.com. Applicants who do not qualify for the Graduate Plus Loan may appeal the credit decision or obtain a credit worthy co-signer. The interest rate for 2024-2025 is fixed at 9.08%. The Graduate Plus loan has an origination fee of 4.228% and repayment begins six months after graduation.  Go here for the Grad PLUS online application

The Shortridge Loan Program is designed to help law students gain practical experience in the public sector. Mizzou Law provides loans each summer in the amount of $4,000 to selected students who work in the area of public interest during the summer. The Shortridge loan has a 0% interest rate, a 12-month grace period beginning after graduation before entering repayment, and a seven-year repayment term.

For more information about the Mizzou Law Shortridge Loan Program, contact the Mizzou Law Financial Aid Office.

Private student loans are alternatives to federal loans. They are credit-based, may have lower fees than federal loans and may even offer the borrower a choice between fixed or variable interest rates.  Please note, private student loans are not eligible for the various repayment benefits associated with federal student loans. Students may apply for assistance through one or more commercial loan provider. The amount borrowed from any of these programs when combined with other forms of approved financial aid cannot exceed the student expense budget.

Mizzou Law requires students seeking a private loan complete a loan counseling session with the Mizzou Law Financial Aid Office.

• Please be aware that private loans do not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• For a list of Mizzou approved private lenders visit the Mizzou Law Private Lender Page.

Sallie Mae Graduate School Scholarship Search

Sponsored by Sallie Mae, this site provides access to one of the most comprehensive scholarship searches on the web.

Fastweb Financial Aid Search

Providing scholarship search services since 1995, Fastweb has a database containing more than 1.5 million scholarships offered by thousands of colleges and universities.

College Board Scholarship Search

Run by the same organization that administers the SAT, this site matches your educational level, talents, and background to a database of scholarships, loans, internships, and other financial aid.

SuperCollege.com: Scholarship Search

Offering a free database of more than 2.2 million scholarships, grants, fellowships, and contests worth more than $15 billion, SuperCollege enables you to sort and save your searches.

AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank

Over 800 curated and vetted scholarship opportunities and writing competitions.

The Michael A. Middleton Center for Race, Citizenship, and Justice exists to promote excellence in the multi-disciplinary study of race, citizenship, and justice, and to foster dialogue and engagement across various internal and external stakeholders. The Center supports scholars who engage in research and advocacy that makes a meaningful impact on communities.

Applicants are required to have a demonstrated interest in and a commitment to interdisciplinary research related to the three pillars: race, citizenship and justice.

Eligibility:  Entering first year law student

Application Deadline:  March 1, 2025

Fellowship Details: The Michael A. Middleton Center for Race, Citizenship and Justice Law Fellowship awards up to $7,000 to selected Fellows to promote student engagement in the law school community and interdisciplinary student research that benefits the delivery of legal services and the legal profession.

For more details and to apply, click here.