First Generation Law Students

According to the Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE), 29% of law students are first-generation. First-generation law students, those who are the first in their families to pursue legal education, may face unique challenges. Various resources are available in order to support their success. See the list below for helpful resources.

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

USC First Generation Plus Success Center

The First Generation Plus Success Center at USC (FG+SC) serves as a resource hub for current first-generation, transfer, and former foster youth students as they navigate campus. Their mission is to foster a sense of belonging and a culture of holistic well-being through intentional mentorship, supportive services, and leadership opportunities. (Cited directly from their home page)

Collective Success Network

According to their website, their resources are “designed to help FGLI (first generation, low-income) college students in all aspects of their college experience, career exploration, physical and mental health, and personal success.”

Street Law Pre-Law Pipeline Program

Street Law’s Pre-Law Pipeline Program offers opportunities for students to learn more about both the law and legal careers.

First Generation JD

This website aims to support and connect first-generation law students as well as provide valuable advice, resources, and community engagement opportunities.

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

According to their website, “The Higher Ed Immigration Portal (the Portal) is a platform that integrates data, policy analysis, and resources to support DACA and undocumented, refugee, other immigrant, and international students.”

MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide

2024-2025 edition

Immigrants Rising

Designed to help undocumented people attend college and start their career development journeys in the United States.

Immigrants Rising: Law School Resource Guide for Undocumented Students- Getting to Law School

Revised Date: June 2024

California Dream Act

According to their website, “The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.” Citation: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/california_dream_act_faq.pdf

My Undocumented Life

Resources for undocumented college students, such as scholarship opportunities and advice from other undocumented students.

Finaid

Financial aid resources for undocumented students.

USC Gould Immigrant Legal Assistance Center (ILAC)

Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

LSAC’s initiatives, such as the PLUS program and DiscoverLaw.org, provide valuable resources for first-generation college students interested in law school.

AccessLex Institute

AccessLex provides resources and tools in order to help students understand the financial aspects of law school, including student loan management and repayment options.

CAS Fee Waiver

A CAS (Credential Assembly Service) fee waiver from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is a financial assistance program designed to help eligible candidates offset some of the costs associated with applying to law schools. The CAS is a service provided by LSAC that compiles and standardizes undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and LSAT scores in order to make it easier for law schools to assess applicants.

7Sage LSAT Prep

For those who qualify for a CAS fee waiver, 7Sage offers its LSAT Prep for just $1. 

LSAC Plus Program

The PLUS Program is specifically aimed at undergraduate students and prospective law school applicants one year away from applying who are from groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession.

Ask Edna (by AccessLex)

One stop shopping for TONS of resources for aspiring law students!

Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)

CLEO offers various resources to support students on their journey to law school, such as pre-law summer institutes, workshops, and mentoring.