2023 Marshall-Motley Scholars Program

A Way to Help Those Most in Need of Justice

LSAC is honored to partner with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) to promote the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP). Named in honor of civil rights pioneers Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley, this groundbreaking program provides full financial support for all law school expenses, along with long-term career and leadership opportunities, for 50 aspiring civil rights lawyers who will advocate on behalf of Black communities in the American South.

2022 Webinar Recording

LSAC hosted a webinar to share information about the 2023 Marshall-Motley Scholars Program. This engaging discussion, recorded November 15, 2022, answers some of the most common questions about the program. We hope you find it informative and helpful as you consider applying for this important opportunity.

Download November 15, 2022 webinar transcript (PDF, 107KB)

How to Apply

The deadline to apply for the 2023 Marshall-Motley Scholars Program is February 6, 2023.

The MMSP program is open to any student who will be entering an ABA-accredited law school in the U.S. in the fall of 2023. There is no cost to apply, and there are no minimum GPA or LSAT score requirements.

You can learn more about the program and apply at marshallmotleyscholars.org External link opens in new browser window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the program provide?

Marshall-Motley Scholars will have all their law school expenses paid and will receive paid internships, fellowships, and other opportunities to develop the skills and experiences to become advocates for transformational change in Black communities in the South. You can learn more about the program and apply at marshallmotleyscholars.org.

What is the deadline to apply for the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program?

The application deadline for this year’s Marshall-Motley Scholars Program is 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Tuesday, February 6, 2023. This is the third year of a five-year program; students entering law school over the next two years will also be eligible to apply for the scholarship each year. You can learn more about the program and apply at marshallmotleyscholars.org.

What is LSAC doing to support the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program?

LSAC is supporting the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program by sending an email to qualified individuals, encouraging them to apply. In addition, we are hosting a special webinar on November 15, 2022, to enable individuals to learn more about the program, as well as get answers to other law school admission-related questions.

Why is LSAC supporting this program?

LSAC’s mission is to promote quality, access, and equity in law and education, and we believe this scholarship program is a great example of a program designed to help support those goals by providing a full three-year scholarship, internships, and a two-year postgraduate fellowship to 50 students during a five-year period.

Regarding the requirements for applying for the scholarship, can I use the recommendation letters from my LSAC account?

Yes, however, all MMSP Letters of Recommendation must be submitted by the recommender through the MMSP Applicant portal. The recommender may submit a duplicate of the letter submitted to LSAC. MMSP recommenders must use the MMSP portal to directly upload Letters of Recommendations even if they have previously been submitted to LSAC. Please review the Application Instructions (PDF, 47KB) for more details.

I plan to attend school in fall 2023 part-time. Can I still apply for this scholarship?

Part-time law students are not eligible for the program at this time. The program is designed to support the development of aspiring lawyers who are admitted, or expect to be admitted, to an ABA-accredited law school as a first-year, full-time law student. However, please visit Fellowships & Internships to learn more about other LDF opportunities for which you may be eligible. Additionally, please visit LDF Careers to learn more about LDF Career opportunities available.

Should I apply after I take the LSAT even if it will be past the deadline?

No. LSAT scores are required upon application submission. However, we welcome you to apply to the next cycle of Marshall-Motley Scholars Program that will open in the fall of 2023. Please continue to visit the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program homepage External link opens in new browser window for announcements and updates regarding upcoming application cycles. If you have any additional questions, please visit About MMSP External link opens in new browser window, Frequently Asked Questions External link opens in new browser window, and Application Instructions (PDF, 47KB) for more details.

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