Open International Scholarships

The NAPABA Law Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization established by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
The NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarships are awarded each fall to law students who demonstrate a commitment to serve or contribute to the Asian Pacific American community as future leaders. Since 1995, the first year in which Foundation Scholarships were granted, 53 students have received scholarships totalling over $90,000.

Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships
Each year, two Anheuser-Busch NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships of $7,500 are awarded to the law students who demonstrate particularly outstanding leadership potential to serve the Asian Pacific American community, as selected from all of the scholarship applicants by the Foundation in consultation with the President of NAPABA. These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of Anheuser-Busch.

NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarships
In addition, the Foundation will award additional $2,500 with the number of scholarships determined each year with reference to the quality of the applicant pool. In recent years, eight to ten such additional scholarhsips have been awarded each year. In 2003, the Foundation named one of these scholarships in memory of Chris Nakamura, a leader of the Asian Pacific American legal community of Arizona.

NAPABA Law Partners Community Law Fellowship
We are especially enthused about the creation of the NAPABA Law Partners Community Law Fellowship, funded in 2004 by a generous two-year gift from former NAPABA President Paul Lee, a partner at Goodwin Procter in Boston. This grant is being used to fund a full fellowship at the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium for the next two years and the Foundation is challenging others to follow Paul’s lead to expand and continue the funding for this program.

Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship Created
In 2004, the Foundation established its Lim, Ruger & Kim Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 through the generosity of the law firm of Lim, Ruger & Kim in Los Angeles.

Diane Yu Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Diane Yu is a long-time supporter of NAPABA and the NAPABA Law Foundation and generously funded a program in 2004 to assist recent law graduates who are working in Asian Pacific American legal service organizations to repay a portion of their student loans. The recipient of this award receives $5,000 for each of two years to be applied to their educational debt.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

1. Only a student enrolled as a law degree candidate in an accredited law school in the U.S. at least half time as determined by the school is eligible for a NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarship. The law school must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

2. Each applicant must submit a completed and signed NAPABA Law Foundation Scholarship Application form.

3. Each applicant must submit with the application form (a) an official copy of the applicant’s most recent law school transcript (or for first-year law students, a statement from their law school certifying that they are law degree candidates enrolled at least half-time); (b) a resume; and (c) two letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant. Applicants who wish to demonstrate financial need may also submit a copy of their law school application for financial assistance.

4. One or more members of the Scholarship selection committee may interview finalists.

When do I apply?
The application and all required attachments must be postmarked by September 7, 2007.

When will the Scholarship awards be announced?
The 2007 Scholarship awards will be announced at the annual NAPABA Convention, held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada November 15-18, 2007. Scholarship recipients will be notified in advance and invited to attend; however, attendance is not required.

What criteria are used by the Foundation in awarding the Scholarships?
The Foundation considers all of the materials submitted by the applicant, with particular weight given to the applicant’s essay. Letters of recommendation should be furnished by individuals who can provide relevant information and who can be contacted by the Foundation. The applicant must be in good standing at his or her law school. The Foundation considers factors including, but not limited to, the applicant’s:

* demonstrated commitment to and interest in pro bono, public interest and/or public service legal work

* financial need

* leadership potential

* maturity and responsibility

* commitment to serving the needs of the Asian Pacific American community

It is the policy of The NAPABA Law Foundation not to discriminate on the basis of age, gender, disability, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Officers and directors of NAPABA, The NAPABA Law Foundation, members of the Scholarship selection committee, and their immediate families are ineligible for the Scholarships. All application materials submitted will become property of the Foundation.

For more information, please contact foundation@napaba.org.

Category: Postgraduate-PhD