Scholarships

 The purpose of this scholarship is to cover the costs for preparatory courses for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).  This year’s scholarship theme is “Black Lawyers Matter.” 

Award: The total costs/reimbursement are not to exceed $2500 

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City and registered for the LSAT within the Fall 2023 - Summer 2024 test administration cycle. 

Click here to download the application

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm

The purpose of this scholarship is to cover the costs for preparatory courses for the New York State Bar Examination. 

Award: $2500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City and registered for an upcoming Bar Exam in the summer 2024 test administration cycle. 

Click here to download the application

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm

The Metropolitan Black Bar Association established The Honorable George Bundy Smith Scholarship Fund in conjunction with Friends of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Inc. (FMBBA), a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting the work and furthering the vision of MBBA to offer three scholarships to students who demonstrate qualities of leadership, a passion for the arts and sciences, or a commitment to diversity and academic excellence. The fund is in honor of Judge Smith, who for many years provided board leadership and guidance to the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, including starting the organization’s first scholarship fund. Above all, Judge Smith valued education and leveraged his success to the benefit of the African-American community.

THE HONORABLE THEODORE T. JONES, JR. SCHOLARSHIP 

Awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to leadership while successfully managing the law school experience.

Award: $2500

THE SHIRLEY STEWART FARMER SCHOLARSHIP 

Awarded to a law student who demonstrates a passion for business, arts or sciences.

Award: $2500

THE JAMES L. LIPSCOMB SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a student who demonstrates a sincere and meaningful commitment to diversity and a commitment to academic excellence.

Award: $2500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school.  

“Eligible” law schools include any of the eleven New York City area schools:  Columbia University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, City University of New York School of Law, Cardozo School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, New York Law School, and Pace University School of Law. Students are permitted to apply to more than one of the offered scholarships. If a student elects to do so, he/she must submit entirely separate application packages for each scholarship. Students may be selected for only one scholarship each year.

Click here to download the application

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm

In May 2015, the Black Bar Association of Bronx County (BBABC) renamed its annual scholarship to the "The Gregory Harmon, Esq. Memorial Scholarship” to honor a dear friend and trusted colleague of the organization, Gregory Harmon, who passed away on December 15, 2014.  

Gregory Harmon was a true asset to the legal profession as he spent his legal career helping citizens of Bronx County - starting as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society and going on to open a successful practice specializing in criminal defense and probate work. Additionally, he served as a mentor and teacher to many Bronx students and new attorneys throughout his career. Gregory Harmon was an unwavering supporter of the BBABC where he served as President, Committee Chairperson, and member of its Board of Directors.  He was also honored for his service to the BBABC with the Ivan G. Warner award in 2004. 

The BBABC consolidated with the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) in 2016 and MBBA is committed to honoring Gregory Harmon’s legacy.

Award: $2500

Click here to download the application

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a Bronx native or currently a resident in the Bronx, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school.  

“Eligible” law schools include any of the eleven New York City area schools:  Columbia University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, City University of New York School of Law, Cardozo School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, New York Law School, and Pace University School of Law. Students are permitted to also apply to the MBBA scholarships under The Honorable George Bundy Smith Scholarship Fund.

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm

Applicants must write an original paper on the impact of racial injustice in the legal profession.

Award: $2500

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school. 

“Eligible” law schools include any of the eleven New York City area schools: Columbia University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, City University of New York School of Law, Cardozo School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, New York Law School, and Pace University School of Law.

Click here to download the application

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm

This special scholarship will be awarded to commemorate the MBBA's 40th anniversary

Applicants must write an original paper on the impact of MBBA leaders (current or past) on the legal profession, citing the work, initiatives, or leadership of at least three MBBA board members or officers from any period in the organization’s history.

Award: $4000

Eligibility: To be eligible to receive a scholarship, an applicant must be Black/African-American, a permanent resident of New York City, and a full or part-time J.D. candidate attending an eligible law school. 

“Eligible” law schools include any of the eleven New York City area schools: Columbia University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, City University of New York School of Law, Cardozo School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Brooklyn Law School, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, New York Law School, and Pace University School of Law.

Click here to download the application

Deadline to apply: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00pm