LOS ANGELES— MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is proud to announce the scholarship recipients for its 2026 Law School Scholarship Program. Since its founding in 1968, MALDEF has awarded scholarships to law students committed to serving the Latino community in the United States.
“Every day, news headlines reinforce the need for good lawyers to serve the Latino community,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel. “We are once again pleased to help a small number of those who will fill this critical role in the near future.”
For years, MALDEF has awarded five to 15 deserving students scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each. MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship application is open to any student enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school. This year, ten recipients received a combined $60,000 in funding. The recipients are selected with the help of a national Law School Scholarship Committee of leading attorneys.
The scholarship committee assesses applicants based on personal background and financial need; academic and extracurricular achievement; demonstrated commitment to serving the Latino community, shown through academic, extracurricular, and professional record of service; and plans to advance the rights of Latinos.
This year’s recipients are studying at schools including New York University School of Law, UCLA School of Law, University of Texas School of Law, Vermont Law School, University of Michigan Law School, LMU Loyola Law School, UC Law San Francisco, University of Wisconsin Law School, and Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Some of the scholarship recipients are children of immigrants, while others are immigrants themselves. All share a passion for protecting the rights of Latinos and have experience working with organizations that promote the rights of Latinos and other communities.
Applications for MALDEF’s 2027 MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program are available for download on our website HERE. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2027.
Donations may be made to MALDEF’s Law School Scholarship Program HERE.
A complete list of MALDEF’s 2026-2027 Law School Scholarship recipients and brief bios of each can be found HERE.