2025 NFPA Student Scholarship

NFPA will award annual scholarships to paralegal students in the United States. The number and amount of scholarships to be given shall be determined annually by the NFPA Board of Directors at the January Board Meeting. The amount of money allocated each year for scholarships may be increased or decreased by either NFPA or the sponsor, with the party increasing the funds responsible for contributing the increased amount.

NOTE: SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE TO BE USED TO PURSUE A PARALEGAL EDUCATION. CHECKS WILL BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT AND THE RECIPIENT'S PARALEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION. TRAVEL EXPENSE CHECKS WILL BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO RECIPIENTS BY NFPA FROM THE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSOR.

The scholarship essay topic for 2025 is:

Several states have implemented some form of licensing of legal paraprofessionals, other than attorneys, to meet the access to justice gap that exists around the country. These licensing programs expand the capacity for legal paraprofessionals to address unrepresented people in specific areas of law. Many of the state licensing programs allow legal paraprofessionals, after obtaining a license, to represent clients. Licensed legal paraprofessionals, depending on the rules in the state they are licensed, can represent clients in such areas as marriage dissolutions, landlord-tenant matters, and administrative law. The requirements, processes and areas of law for licensing legal paraprofessionals vary state to state.

Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing limited licensing for legal paraprofessionals in your state. Consider how it might impact access to justice, providing legal services, assuring the quality of the representation, and the overall impact on the legal system.


All applications must be submitted via the online form on or before July 18. No applications will be accepted via mail, fax or email. The application must include:

  • The essay;

  • Two references;

  • A letter of recommendation from the program director;

  • Transcripts;

  • Participation in extracurricular and paralegal activities;

  • And statement of financial need.

  Incomplete applications will be reviewed “as is” with no opportunity to supplement.

  Candidates may be disqualified for either one of the following reasons:

  a. Conviction of a felony or comparable crime as defined by an individual state that does not have felony designations; or

  b. Currently under the suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration of a certificate, registration or license to practice by a professional organization, court, disciplinary board or agency in any jurisdiction.

  The criteria listed below will be utilized in selecting scholarship recipients. The applicant:

  a. Must be a full or part-time student enrolled in a paralegal program;

  b. Must demonstrate and maintain a B average;

  c. May demonstrate extracurricular activities and/or community service;

  d. May demonstrate active participation in paralegal program clubs or activities; and

  e. May demonstrate financial need.

  Scholarship winner will be notified of the award by early September, either by the DPD or Education Coordinator. Scholarship winners are asked to keep their achievement confidential until the award has been given.

  The sponsor will provide a travel stipend for each scholarship recipient so that he/she may receive his/her scholarship at the NFPA Annual Convention. Travel stipends may not be granted if no sponsor is secured for the student scholarships.

  A copy of the winning essays and bios will be sent to the sponsor. The scholarships and commemorative plaques will be presented to the recipients during the awards luncheon at the NFPA Annual Convention.

  The winning essays, bios and photographs of the scholarship recipients will be posted on NFPA’s website, NFPA National Paralegal Reporter or other media as deemed appropriate by the NFPA Board of Directors.