Ibrahim Gardner
There are a variety of scholarships available for international students pursuing an LLM degree. Scholarships can be competitive, as law schools have limited budgets, but there are many options for financial aid. These include need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and merit-cum-need-based scholarships. Students can also explore external funding sources such as government-sponsored scholarships, private foundations, non-profit organizations, and professional associations. International students can also seek financial aid funds from additional sources in their home countries, such as through their local EducationUSA office or U.S. embassy or consulate. Scholarship awards can cover expenses such as full/partial tuition fees, travel expenses, and accommodation expenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scholarship providers | Law schools, non-profit foundations, government agencies, private foundations, employers, etc. |
| Scholarship types | Full/partial tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation expenses, fellowships, grants, loans, etc. |
| Application process | Visit the scholarship provider's website, choose a course, submit an application, etc. |
| Eligibility | Merit-based, need-based, academic and professional achievements, etc. |
| Scholarship search | LLM GUIDE, InternationalScholarships.com, ScholarshipPortal.com, AccessLex scholarship databank, EducationUSA, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for international students at law schools
Many US law schools offer scholarships for international students pursuing LL.M. programs. These include the University of Birmingham, which offers LLB Scholarships for international students, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), which offers the Margaret Bennett Scholarship for African Women. Additionally, the University of Auckland in New Zealand offers a range of postgraduate law scholarships, and the University of Queensland in Australia offers the TC Beirne School of Law Masters Scholarships for students enrolling in an LLM or Master of International Commercial Law program.
Beyond law school-specific scholarships, international LL.M. students can explore external funding sources such as government-sponsored scholarships, private foundations, non-profit organizations, and professional associations. For example, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides grants for overseas graduate students in the US, while the Royal Thai Government Scholarship Program provides funding for students to bring back innovative ideas and expertise to Thailand. The Law Foundation Graduate Scholarships offer funding for law students pursuing graduate degrees in Canada, the US, and elsewhere, and the Menzies Foundation Scholarships provide funding for Australian citizens studying international law at the postgraduate level.
There are also country-specific scholarships, such as the St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York, which provides funding for Scottish graduate students studying in the US, and the Fundación Rafael del Pino, which offers scholarships for Spanish students pursuing graduate-level study in Spain or abroad. Additionally, the Bolashak International Scholarship offers scholarships to talented Kazakhstani citizens for graduate-level studies, covering full tuition, books, insurance, travel expenses, and monthly stipends.
Students can also explore scholarship databases such as AccessLex, which contains information on over 800 scholarships and writing competitions related to law schools. Networking can also be a valuable way to uncover scholarship opportunities, by connecting with current LL.M. students, alumni, and faculty members who may have insights or recommendations.
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External funding sources for international students
External funding sources for international LLM students include scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.
Scholarships
Many law schools offer scholarships to international students pursuing an LLM. These can be merit-based, awarded to applicants with an exceptional academic and professional record and future potential. Some scholarships are also reserved for applicants of a certain nationality, ethnicity, or religion. Scholarship awards can be highly competitive, so it is recommended to begin researching opportunities at least a year in advance. Websites like LL.M. Scholarship Search, InternationalScholarships.com, and ScholarshipPortal.com are good resources to find a range of scholarships.
- Fulbright Scholars Program
- Rotary Scholarships
- P.E.O. Scholarships
- Brain Capital: The LL.M. Education Fund (Germany)
- British Universities North America Club (United Kingdom)
- N. Tata Endowment (India)
- John S. Latsis Ileians’ Scholarships Foundation (Greece)
- C. Mahindra Education Trust (India)
- Kosciuszko Foundation Fellowships & Grants (Poland)
- Lionel Murphy Endowment Postgraduate Scholarship (Australia)
- Aga Khan International Scholarship Programme
- Golden Key Scholarships
- Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- Postgrad Solutions – LLM Study Bursary
- Graduate Women International (for women from Australia, France, Great Britain, India, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, and the USA)
- Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship (for graduates of universities in specific areas of India and Pakistan pursuing a graduate degree at the University of California)
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (for Indian students)
- K.C. Mahindra Scholarship (for Indian students)
- P.J.C. Lindfors Legal Studies Fund (for Finnish and American law students)
- Thanks to Scandinavia Scholarship (for students from Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Grants
Grants are another source of funding for international LLM students. These are typically awarded based on merit or financial need. Some grants may be reserved for applicants with specific characteristics, such as nationality, ethnicity, or religion.
Examples of external grants for international LLM students include:
- World Bank Group Family Network – “Margaret McNamara Education Grants” (MMEG)
- Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for students from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (for those intending to pursue careers in academia, research, or development in South Africa)
- Office of Navajo Nation Graduate Fellowship Graduate Fund (for Navajo students)
- Colfuturo (for Colombian students)
- Fundação Estudar (for Brazilian students)
- National Program of Postgraduate Scholarships Abroad Don Carlos Antonio López (for Paraguayan students)
- Belgian American Educational Foundation Fellowship for Graduate Study
Bursaries
Bursaries are similar to scholarships and are awarded to help with the cost of tuition and living expenses. An example of an external bursary for international LLM students is the Postgrad Solutions Global LLM Study Bursary, which offers five awards worth £2,000 each year.
Loans
International LLM students may also consider taking out loans to fund their studies. Some countries offer specific loan programs for international students, such as the International Student Loan in the US. Additionally, many banks, private institutions, and online lenders offer student loans to international students. It is important to carefully consider the terms, conditions, and rates of these loans, as they can vary significantly.
In addition to external funding sources, international LLM students may also have the opportunity to secure part-time work during their program, depending on their visa status and the rules of their host country. However, working while studying may impact their ability to focus on their academic pursuits.
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Country-specific scholarships
There are a variety of country-specific scholarships available for international students pursuing an LLM degree. These scholarships can be offered by governments, universities, private organizations, or foundations and vary in terms of eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes. Here are some examples of country-specific scholarships:
For Indian Students:
- The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships: This scholarship is designed for outstanding Indian students to pursue a master's degree, including LLM, at select U.S. colleges and universities. It offers benefits such as visa support, air travel, funding for tuition and living costs, and accident and sickness coverage.
- Columbia Law School Scholarships: Columbia Law School offers four scholarships for international students, including Indian students, to study LLM. These scholarships cover partial or full tuition costs, and one of them is the Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship, funded by the Indian government.
- University of Queensland Scholarships: The University of Queensland in Australia offers four scholarships for international students, including Indian students, with two scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees and two covering 25%.
For Other Nationalities:
- The Aga Khan Foundation: This foundation provides scholarships for postgraduate studies to students from developing countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Kenya, and others. Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis through a competitive application process.
- International Peace Scholarship Fund: This fund provides $8,000 scholarships for women from other countries to pursue graduate studies in the United States and Canada.
- The Bridgat Scholarship Program: This program offers a one-time $6,500 scholarship to graduate students who are citizens of Asian countries and are pursuing an advanced degree in any subject at an accredited U.S. institution.
- Belgium American Educational Foundation (BAEF): The BAEF provides grants of up to $30,000 for tuition and health insurance, as well as $18,000 for living and travel expenses, to Belgian citizens pursuing graduate studies in the United States.
These are just a few examples of country-specific scholarships for LLM students. It is important for prospective students to research and explore the various scholarship opportunities available, including those specific to their home countries, well in advance of their intended start date.
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Scholarships based on financial need
An LLM degree can be expensive, with annual tuition fees at leading institutions like Harvard Law costing upwards of $77,000. However, there are several scholarships available for international students pursuing LL.M. programs in the USA. Many law schools, non-profit foundations, and government agencies offer scholarships or grants to help international students finance their LL.M. degrees.
Some scholarships that international students can consider include:
- The Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This program provides grants for overseas graduate students in the USA, including those pursuing LL.M. degrees.
- EducationUSA: This organization offers grants and scholarships to international students studying in the USA.
- Country-specific scholarships: Many countries offer scholarships for their citizens to study abroad. For example, the Fundación Rafael del Pino provides scholarships for Spanish students, while the WorldWideStudies Scholarship offers grants to Ukrainian citizens.
- The Belgium American Educational Foundation (BAEF): BAEF offers grants to Belgian citizens for one academic year of graduate study in the US, covering tuition, health insurance, and living and travel expenses.
- Fundação Estudar: This organization offers scholarships to Brazilian nationals and citizens pursuing graduate study in Brazil and abroad.
- Bridgat Technology Limited: This scholarship program awards merit-based funds to graduate students from Asian countries pursuing an advanced degree in any subject at an accredited US institution.
In addition to these external funding sources, international LL.M. students can also explore law school-specific scholarships. Many law schools in the USA offer generous financial aid packages, including scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships, to help offset the cost of study. These opportunities can often be found on the financial aid pages of law school websites, or by reaching out to the admissions or financial aid offices for guidance.
It is important to note that scholarship awards can be highly competitive, and applicants may need to demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and well-articulated career goals to strengthen their case for need-based scholarships. Networking can also be a valuable tool for uncovering scholarship opportunities, as current students, alumni, and faculty members may have insights or recommendations.
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Scholarships based on academic merit
Scholarships can be extremely useful for international students seeking to pursue an LLM in the USA, as the course can be expensive. Annual tuition fees alone can exceed $77,000 at leading LL.M. programs like Harvard Law, and living expenses can reach $30,000 per month.
Many law schools offer generous financial aid packages to prospective LL.M. students to help offset the cost of study, which includes housing, food, books, supplies, and travel expenses. These can add another $40,000 to the cost of an LL.M. program.
Some scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, professional experiences, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities. For example, the University of Miami School of Law automatically considers all admitted students for scholarships based on merit, need, and available scholarship funds. Similarly, the University of Houston Law Center considers all accepted students for scholarship money, which can reduce their tuition by about one-third.
International students can also explore external funding sources such as government-sponsored scholarships, private foundations, non-profit organizations, and professional associations. Examples include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which provides grants for overseas graduate students in the USA. The Fulbright Commission also oversees the administration of scholarships such as the Cobb Family Fellowship, which provides a living stipend for a graduate of the University of Iceland to study at the University of Miami for one year in any LL.M. program.
Additionally, some law firms and in-house counsel departments offer scholarship or education opportunities to their employees. For instance, the international law firm Vivanco & Vivanco awards an annual scholarship to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Miami School of Law.
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Frequently asked questions
It is possible for international students to get a scholarship for an LL.M. in the USA, but it is often competitive. Many law schools, non-profit foundations, and government agencies offer scholarships for international students pursuing LL.M. programs. International students can also explore external funding sources such as government-sponsored scholarships, private foundations, non-profit organizations, and professional associations.
Here are some examples of scholarships for international students pursuing an LL.M. in the USA:
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Fulbright Nehru Scholarship
- Bridgat Scholarship Program
- Belgium American Educational Foundation (BAEF) Grants
- Fundação Estudar Scholarships
- Fundación Rafael del Pino Scholarships
- WorldWideStudies Scholarship
- Gould & Jefferson of Beverly Hills Scholarship
Scholarships for international students can cover a range of expenses, including full or partial tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation expenses, and other living expenses.
International students can increase their chances of getting a scholarship by networking with current LL.M. students, alumni, faculty members, and colleagues who may have insights or recommendations. They can also reach out to the admissions or financial aid offices of their target law schools for guidance on scholarship applications and eligibility criteria. Additionally, students should showcase their academic interests, career objectives, and personal backgrounds in their scholarship applications.
