AILA Equity and Belonging Committee Law Student Scholarship

3/12/25 AILA Doc. No. 99900673.

AILA’s Equity and Belonging Committee Law Student Scholarship is intended to provide academic, professional, and financial support to ten (10) law student members from underrepresented groups who are interested in the practice of Immigration Law and advocating on behalf of immigrant communities.  Ten (10) recipients selected to receive the scholarship will build professional connections and receive mentorship support from AILA member attorneys who are also members of AILA’s National Equity and Belonging Committee. 

AILA's Equity and Belonging Committee Law Student Scholarship application window is now open. Recipients of this year’s scholarship will be notified no later than May 21, 2025.
 

Award Details

10 Recipients of the AILA Equity and Belonging Committee Law Student Scholarships receive:

  • $750 to be used towards tuition or related academic expenses
  • Mentorship Support provided by AILA Equity and Belonging Committee Members
  • Free Webinar Access for an AILA Immigration Fundamentals Law Course (*Courses TBD depending on availability and interest) 
  • Recognition of the recipient of the scholarship award sent to the law school of the recipient honoring the student’s achievements
  • Opportunity for Professional Career Development in Immigration Law by Publishing a Blog post on an immigration related topic in AILA’s Think Immigration Blog DEI Series to an audience of 17,000+ AILA Members and/or recording a video for publication on AILA’s website (see below)
     

Scholarship Applicant Criteria

  • Applicants must be an AILA Law Student Member and provide their AILA Member Number (*AILA Membership is FREE for law students!) (Include link to join AILA)
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in law school and be a student in good standing (part time and full-time students included)
  • Applicants should be a member of an underrepresented group including diversity based on but not limited to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, education, ability, immigration status, and other factors including those listed in AILA’s DEI Mission Statement
  • Applicants mustprovide a current unofficial law school transcript
  • Applicants must provide a one-page personal statement of no more than 500 words. Any statement that exceeds the one-page, 500 maximum word count will be disqualified. The personal statement must address: 
    • Your interest and work in immigration law including clubs, internships, law school clinics, work experience, community service, and/or extracurricular activities
    • Description of your financial need and how the funds are intended to be used (be as specific as possible)
    • Description of any diversity, equity, and inclusion obstacles you have faced
    • Description of your plans to pursue advocacy in Immigration Law
  • Selected Recipients must agree to submit a blog post for AILA’s Think Immigration Blog DEI Series (approx. 200-300 words) on a topic of their choice and/or record a video for publication on AILA’s website.