AALL Scholarships (Degree Candidates)
Offered by American Association of Law Libraries
About This Scholarship
The American Association of Law Libraries has funded future law librarians since the mid-20th century through its degree candidate scholarships, which support students working toward careers at the intersection of law and information. Law librarianship is unusual in often requiring two graduate degrees — an MLS and frequently a JD — and AALL's scholarship structure reflects that, with five application categories covering library school students, law school students, and graduates of one program pursuing the other.
Alongside the flagship AALL Scholarship, the association administers the LexisNexis John R. Johnson Memorial Scholarship for the same applicant pool, and both are awarded through a single annual cycle. Recipients are announced in June with funds disbursed shortly after, timed for the following academic year.
Selection weighs financial need heavily: the required personal statement asks applicants to lay out their financial situation in detail, along with their interest in law librarianship and career goals. Applicants also submit transcripts, proof of admission or good standing with at least one term remaining, two recommendations, and a resume. Award amounts vary by year based on available funds.
Eligibility
- Seeking a degree from an accredited library school or law school with the goal of a career in law librarianship
- Five categories: library degree for law school graduates, law degree for library school graduates, library degree for non-law graduates, non-law degree for library school graduates, and related advanced degrees
- At least one quarter/semester remaining after the scholarship is awarded
- Demonstrated financial need (addressed in the personal statement)
How To Apply
- Download the application from AALL's scholarships page and submit it with transcripts, a law/library school admission letter or transcript showing good standing, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement covering financial need and career goals, and a resume — all in one email to AALL by April 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an AALL member to apply?
No. The degree candidate scholarships are open to library and law school students pursuing law librarianship; only certain other AALL awards (like the Koslov continuing-education scholarship) require membership.
How much money can I receive?
AALL does not publish fixed amounts; awards vary with available scholarship funds each year. Recipients are announced in June.
What is the LexisNexis John R. Johnson Memorial Scholarship?
A companion award funded by LexisNexis and granted through the same AALL application and deadline, for the same categories of degree candidates.