Purpose
The Talbert Law “Final Mile” Bar Scholarship is designed to reduce structural financial barriers to licensure for Black law graduates who have demonstrated leadership, advocacy, and community service within Black communities. The scholarship recognizes that unequal access to bar preparation resources materially impacts bar passage outcomes and seeks to support candidates at the most critical stage of entry into the legal profession

Award & Deadline
The Scholarship will award one (1) scholarship in the amount of $3,500 per California Bar Examination cycle (July and February), for a total of two (2) awards annually, subject to available funding.

Scholarship funds may be used for bar preparation courses, bar exam registration fees, and reasonable travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals.

July Bar Exam
• Application Deadline: January 15
• Notification Date: March 15

February Bar Exam
• Application Deadline: August 15
• Notification Date: October 15

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following:
• Third-year law student or recent law school graduate of California Western School of Law (CWSL)
• Identify as Black or African American
• Intending to sit for the California Bar Examination
• First-time or repeat California bar exam applicant
• Demonstrated financial need related to bar preparation and exam-related expenses
• There is no minimum GPA requirement.

Note: “Recent graduate” is defined as a graduate who received a J.D. from CWSL within the past two years immediately preceding the date of application.

Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on a holistic review with emphasis on the following factors:

• Breadth & Depth of Extracurricular & Community Service Activities (with particular attention to engagement in Black American civic, community, social justice, educational, or advocacy efforts)
• Demonstrated Leadership Abilities
• Formal or informal leadership roles, initiative-taking, mentorship, organizing, or sustained responsibility
• Financial Need
• Demonstrated inability to independently cover bar preparation and exam-related costs

The following factors may also be taken into consideration:
• Academic achievement (considered, not determinative)
• Areas of professional interest or intended practice
• Prior resilience or persistence in the licensure process

Application Process
Please use the link to complete the application: