Do you remember the day you graduated from law school — the sense of pride, the possibilities ahead, and the people who helped you get there?
Each of us had someone who invested in our journey. Maybe it was financial support, mentorship, or simply a nudge of encouragement to pursue this work. Today, the NAELA Foundation is paying that support forward through the Future Advocates Law School Scholarship Program, an initiative designed to expand the pipeline of future elder and special needs law attorneys by investing directly in today’s law students.
Why This Matters — Now More Than Ever
Elder and special needs law has never been more important. Yet fewer law students are finding their way into our field. With the NextGen Bar Exam removing questions central to our practice area and the crushing cost of legal education — often exceeding $91,000 at public law schools alone — the barriers to entry are higher than ever. Without intentional intervention, too many talented future attorneys may never discover this calling.
At the same time, practicing attorneys across the country are experiencing a crisis of capacity. The demand for our services continues to grow, while too many calls for help go unanswered. If we do not invest in tomorrow’s advocates, who will carry this mission forward?
What Is the Future Advocates Law School Scholarship Program?
For the 2026–27 academic year, the NAELA Foundation will award up to four Future Advocates Law School Scholarships to JD students enrolled at ABA-accredited law schools who plan to take a qualifying course in elder law, disability law, or special needs planning.
Each scholarship includes:
- $3,500 in tuition support for one qualifying 2–3 credit course
- A complimentary one-year NAELA student membership
These scholarships are more than financial assistance — they are invitations. Invitations to join a community dedicated to protecting older adults and individuals with disabilities, preserving dignity, and supporting families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
How to Apply
- Applications Open: February 18, 2026
- Applicants must provide the following documents in PDF format to upload: Unofficial Law School Transcript, Course Description Syllabus, Professional Resume, and Personal Statement
- Submit a Scholarship Application
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Notification: Within 30 days of the deadline
If you know a law student interested in elder or special needs law — or if you are one — this program offers meaningful academic support while connecting recipients with the nation’s leading professional community in this field.
A Foundation Relaunched, A Mission Renewed
This fall marked the relaunch of the NAELA Foundation’s work, guided by three core pillars:
The Foundation’s relaunch is long overdue, and we are energized by the opportunity to make meaningful, lasting impacts in these areas.