Are you a law student committed to becoming a legal changemaker? Are you a recent law school graduate or soon to be law grad who will be taking the California Bar Exam for the first time in 2025? Do you envision working as an attorney in California with the goal of giving back?

If so, then we want to support you, the brightest changemakers of tomorrow, by eliminating the roadblocks that exist between you and success, including the costs related to the California Bar Exam.

If selected for the ChangeLawyers Next Gen Scholarship, you will receive a $5,000 cash award.

In addition to this scholarship, Next Gen scholars will receive access to exclusive programming from ChangeLawyers including but not limited to: Bar exam coaching, mentorship access, exclusive bar exam prep discounts, and support from/access to, our over 1,300 ChangeLawyers alumni.

Each $5,000 scholarship is made possible through the partnership of California ChangeLawyers and a co-sponsor (affinity bar association, memorial fund, etc.)

Applications must be submitted by February 24, 2025 at 5 PM. 

Applications require a letter of recommendation. Do not wait until the last day to apply; those applications without a letter of recommendation will be considered incomplete.

Applicants will be informed of whether they have been selected by mid-March. Celebrations are to take place on April 10th in Berkeley, CA at ChangeLawyers' 35th anniversary event "Raise the Bar."
 

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Candidate must be:

a. Recent law school graduate (JD only; LLM not eligible) (Winter 2024) or soon to graduate (Summer 2025);

b. FIRST-TIME test taker sitting for the July 2025 California Bar Exam; and

c. Committed to practicing law in California upon passing the bar

2. Demonstrate a clear commitment to building a better justice system

3. Demonstrate financial need

4. Maintain at least a 2.2 GPA or equivalent on a 4.0 scale (or provide an explanation of extenuating circumstances if GPA is lower than 2.2)

5. Provide documentation of:

a. Candidate’s actual or anticipated graduation date

b. Good ethical standing of Candidate while attending law school

c. Candidate’s financial need

6. Submit one signed letter of recommendation supporting Candidate’s commitment to building a better justice system, or related area of interest.

[Please note that ChangeLawyer alums (1L scholars or fellows) are eligible and encouraged to apply for the 3L Next Gen Scholarship.]

Important: California ChangeLawyers reserves the right to use information from winner's applications as part of its publicity of the 3L Next Gen Scholarship and for general marketing efforts. Please keep this in mind as you write your essay and provide other information.