Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program

Our scholarship program was established in 1998 in response to the passage of SP-1, the University of California Regents’ resolution to end affirmative action and race-based admissions at UC schools. In twenty one years, we have awarded over 2 million dollars in scholarships to 110 students with scholarships that are generally $10,000 per year.

We have had many great success stories of past recipients who became associates with many top law firms, public interest offices, corporations and government entities including: Keker Van Nest & Peters; Morrison & Foerster; LuxBus America, San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., Square, Worksafe Inc., and the U.S. Department of Justice.

One recipient clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, another clerked for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California and a recent recipient is a Fulbright Scholar. In 2018, we celebrated our first scholarship recipient to be named a California Superior Court judge.

To learn more, email diversity@sfbar.org.

Judge Amarra Lee is the first African American woman judge to serve on the San Mateo County Superior Court. She is a 2003 recipient of our Minority Law Student Scholarship Program. Learn more about her story in this video.

The 2023 Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

Apply Now

Which schools are participating in the scholarship program?

University of California – Berkeley School of Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
Stanford Law School
University of California – Hastings College of the Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
University of San Francisco School of Law

Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Application

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please note: All information provided will be kept confidential and may be subject to verification. Please provide information in all designated areas, unless otherwise noted, to facilitate review by the selection committee and to ensure your application is complete. If answer is “none” or “not applicable,” please indicate as such.
Name*
First Last
Date of Birth*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Email*
Phone*
College*
Ethnicity*

be specific
I have been admitted to (check all that apply):*
- UC Berkeley
- Golden Gate
- UC College of the Law, San Francisco
- University of San Francisco
- Santa Clara
- Stanford
I have accepted admission to a San Francisco Bay Area Law School.*
Name of school I notified the school on:
LSAT score*
Final LSAT score Date exam taken
Schools Attended*
From To Name, City and State of School Attended Major Degree awarded GPA
Work Experience*
From To Name, City and State of Employer Position Held

List your work experience, including part-time and/or summer positions, present employer first. (In addition, you may attach a current copy of your résumé, but this section below must also be completed).
College Organization Activities*
Organization Years Involved/amount of time each year Roles and Responsibilities (one sentence max.)

Attach an additional sheet using same format, if necessary.
Non-College Community Service Activities*
Organization Years Involved/amount of time each year Offices Held and Duration of Tenure

During the last five years. Attach an additional sheet using same format, if necessary.
Honors or Awards received*
Honor/Award Name Year Received Description of Honor/Award (one sentence max.)

Attach an additional sheet using same format, if necessary.
Are you the first person in your immediate family to have attended college?*
- yes
- no
Are you the first person in your immediate family to have graduated from college?*
- yes
- no
Are you the first person in your immediate family to attend graduate school?*
- yes
- no
Have you participated in any of JDC’s Destination Law School events/programs?*
- yes
- no
Professional References*
Name Relationship Email Phone

Please list three personal references. (Please do not list relatives)
2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION & FINANCIAL EDUCATION HISTORY
Please list the following information:*
Upcoming loans in repayment amount Current student loan debt amount Other financial aid or assistance received/anticipated
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (Undergraduate and/or graduate school other than law school)
Grant/Scholarship Name Total Amount Awarded Yearly Amount Academic Year Received

Please list current and all undergraduate/graduate grants/scholarships here
LOANS (Undergraduate and/or graduate school other than law school)*
Name of Loan Total Amount Yearly Amount Academic Year Received

Please list current and all undergraduate/graduate loans here
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (Law School)*
Grant/Scholarship Name Total Amount Awarded Yearly Amount Duration of Award: Ex. Yearly

Please list grants and scholarships promised and applied for, for the next academic law school year. Please add attachments as needed.
LOANS (Law School)*
Loan Total Amount Yearly Amount Duration of Loan

Please list grants and scholarships promised and applied for, for the next academic law school year. Please add attachments as needed.
APPLICANT FINANCIAL STATUS
A) Do you receive veteran benefits or income?*
- yes
- no
B) Are you married?*
- yes
- no
C) Are you separated?*
- yes
- no
D) Do you have any legal dependents?*
- yes
- no
E) Did you file a 2022 1040/1040A/1040EZ IRS tax form?*
- yes
- no
Please include your 2022 tax form(s) with this application and complete all the sections below that are applicable to you. If you did not and will not file a 2022 1040/1040A/1040EZ IRS tax form, please complete all the sections below that are applicable to you.
F) Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) file a 2022 1040/1040A/1040EZ IRS tax form?*
- yes
- no
If you answered “No” to questions A, B and C above, please include your parent(s)/guardian(s) 2022 tax forms with this application and complete all the sections below that are applicable to you and your parent(s)/guardian(s). If your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not, and will not file a 2022 1040/1040A/1040EZ IRS tax form, please complete all sections below that are applicable to you and your parent(s)/guardian(s).
APPLICANT’S 2021 FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Add spouse, if applicable)
Current hourly wage and/or salary amount*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Total expected income for 2022*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Months expected to work*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Checking account balances*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Money market balances, stocks, bonds, CDs or other investments*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Savings account balances*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Monthly rent payment*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Do you own a home, or other real estate?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, current value?
Current mortgage balance*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Monthly mortgage payment*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Do you own a business (either in part or in full)?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, please describe:
Trust funds received or to be received*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
Retirement account balances*
Applicant Spouse (if applicable)
INCOME
[REFER TO YOUR 2020 IRS TAX FORM(S) WHERE APPLICABLE]
2021 IRS Tax Form Filed
1040, total income, line 22*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
1040EZ, adjusted gross income, line 4*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
1040A, total income, line 15*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
If you did not and will not file a 2021 IRS tax form(s), please fill out the following:
2022 earned income
Applicant Spouse
2022 untaxed income
Applicant Spouse
2022 interest/dividend income
Applicant Spouse
2021 UNTAXED INCOME AND BENEFITS
Social Security benefits*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
Aid to Families with Dependent Children*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
Child support received*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
Other public assistance*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
Other income**
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse
*Please explain other income:
DEPENDENTS/DEPENDENT CARE
Refer to your 2021 IRS tax form(s) where applicable
2021 IRS Tax Form Filed
1040 or 1040A, line 6d*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
1040 or 1040A, form 2441, part II, line 3*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
The number of dependents you and your spouse (if applicable) have?*
INCOME FROM ASSETS
2021 IRS Tax Form Filed
1040 or 1040A:
Taxable interest income, line 8a*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
Tax exempt interest, line 8b*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
Dividends, line 9*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
1040 EZ:
Taxable interest income, line 2*
Single by Applicant Single by Spouse Jointly
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S)
(Either or both parents/guardians as applicable)
Will you be receiving any financial assistance from your parent(s)/guardian(s) for the 2023-2024 academic year?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, please list the anticipated amount:
Checking/money market account balances:
Savings account balances:
Parent(s’)/Guardian(s’) occupations:
Do your parent(s)/guardian(s) own a home or real estate?
- Yes
- No
If yes, current value:
Current mortgage balance:
Monthly mortgage payment:
YOUR PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) INCOME
(Refer to 2021 IRS Tax Form(s) as applicable)
2021 IRS Tax Form Filed
1040, adjusted gross income, line 37
Parent #1 Parent #2 Jointly
1040EZ, adjusted income, line 4
Parent #1 Parent #2 Jointly
1040A, adjusted gross income, line 21
Parent #1 Parent #2 Jointly
If your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not and will not file a 2022 IRS tax form, please fill out the following:
2022 earned income
Parent #1 Parent #2
2022 untaxed income
Parent #1 Parent #2
2022 interest/dividend income
Parent #1 Parent #2
Other income*
Parent #1 Parent #2
*Please explain other income:
YOUR PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) EXEMPTIONS
(Refer to your parent(s)/guardian(s) 2021 IRS tax form(s) as applicable.)
2021 IRS Tax Form Filed
1040, line 6d
Parent #1 Parent #2 Jointly
1040A, line 6d
Parent #1 Parent #2 Jointly
If your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not and will not file a 2022 IRS tax form(s), how many exemptions would they have claimed had they filed?
Your Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Untaxed Income and Benefits
Social Security benefits
Parent #1 Parent #2
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
Parent #1 Parent #2
Child support received
Parent #1 Parent #2
Other public assistance
Parent #1 Parent #2
Other income*
Parent #1 Parent #2
*Please explain other income:
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE REVIEWED
Please upload the following documents to this completed application. Your application will be incomplete and will not be considered if any of the following documents are not included.
Official transcript(s)
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.
Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate schools (if applicable). No copies will be accepted. Transcripts must be sent directly to minorityscholarship@sfbar.org.
A personal statement, up to 500 words
Max. file size: 50 MB.
A personal statement, up to 500 words, stating obstacles you have overcome in pursuing your education and what qualities and talents you would bring to the legal profession. Please note: Due to the number of applications we receive, the review committee will not read statements beyond the 500 word limit.
Statement of economic need (not to exceed 250 words)
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Statement of economic need (not to exceed 250 words) stating your or your parents’/guardians’ current financial situation and/ or your financial need.
Copies of your 2022 IRS tax form(s) if you did or will file in 2023 IRS tax forms
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Copies of your 2022 IRS tax form(s) if you did or will file in 2023 IRS tax forms. If you answered “no” to questions A, B, and C in the Financial Information section, under Applicant Financial Status, also include your parent(s)/guardian(s) 2022 IRS tax form(s) if they did or will file 2023 IRS tax forms.
A copy of a letter or letters of admission from any of the six San Francisco Bay Area Law Schools
Max. file size: 50 MB.
A copy of a letter or letters of admission from any of the six San Francisco Bay Area Law Schools listed in question #8 on page one of the application.
A copy of your current resume.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Note: No other material, besides the above items, will be reviewed by the selection committee.
Application Packet Submission
*
- I declare under the penalty of perjury that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Name*
First Last
Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Scholarship applications will be reviewed starting Thursday, Jun 1, 2023 with final decisions made 1st week of August 2023. Applications will be reviewed once received and the packet is deemed complete. Scholarship funds will be disbursed only upon proof of enrollment and good standing in each semester, and any other scholarship requirement that the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) of The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) deems appropriate. For multi-year scholarships, proof of enrollment and good standing for each semester of the scholarship term will be required as well as proof of financial need, among other scholarship requirements JDC and BASF deem appropriate. Thanks for your patience as we process applications.

Name of school	I notified the school on:

Final LSAT score	Date exam taken

From	To	Name, City and State of School Attended	Major	Degree awarded	GPA

From	To	Name, City and State of Employer	Position Held