The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that awards scholarships to law students who live, work, or study in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. The current Chairperson of the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund is Miguel Saldaña.
Every two years, the East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association (the “Association”) organizes a gala fundraiser that benefits the Fund. The Fund also partners with other donors to award additional scholarships. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund, visit its Donorbox site or email them at eblrlasf@gmail.com.
If you are a law student, we highly recommend that you join as a dues-paying member to receive our scholarship announcements, reminders, and special opportunities. Some scholarships are only open to EBLRLA members. Law student dues are only $1.00! Please also visit our Resources page for more scholarships besides the ones listed below.
CLA Litigation Section Diversity Bar Study Scholarship
The application period is now open – DUE JUNE 14, 2026.
2026 CLA Litigation Section Scholarship
The East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association (EBLRLA) and the EBLRLA Scholarship Fund continue to partner with the California Lawyers Association (CLA) Litigation Section to present Diversity Bar Study Scholarships to eligible candidates who have demonstrated an intent to pursue a career in litigation following graduation and have shown commitment to a career in litigation for social justice.
Awards: Two separate $5,000 scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registered for the July 2026 California Bar Exam;
- Overcome personal hardships or challenges and shown achievement in law school;
- Demonstrated intent and commitment to pursue a career in litigation for social justice following graduation;
- Demonstrated leadership potential and a history of involvement with student, professional, or civic organizations in support of their local communities;
- Demonstrated financial need; preference will be given to students who do not already have all of their bar exam study expenses covered by another funding source; and
- Member of EBLRLA and significant ties to, or expects to practice in, the East Bay (Alameda and/or Contra Costa Counties). Dues are $1 for law students/recent law school graduates, eblrla.org/join.
Link to Application: 2026 CLA Litigation Section Scholarship
Application Instructions: Email the completed application form and the requested supporting documents as a single PDF file to eblrlasf@gmail.com with “CLA Litigation Section Scholarship – [Your Name]” in the subject line. If you have any questions, please email eblrlasf@gmail.com.
Due Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific). Late applications will not be considered.
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Law students are strongly encouraged to become members of the California Lawyers Association (CLA), including the Litigation Section. Join for free! |
Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship
The application period is now open, DUE JUNE 14, 2026.
2026 Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship
The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund invites eligible candidates to apply for the Piedad and Raul Castro Scholarship, an annual $5,000 scholarship funded by the Honorable Arturo Castro, Judge with the Superior Court of Alameda County, in honor of his parents.
“This scholarship is dedicated to my parents, who, alongside countless other immigrant families, personify the perseverance, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who are dedicated to advancing future generations, with no thought or expectation of personal gain. By giving back in their names, the spirit of their sacrifices will live on, supporting young minds who are equally dedicated to making the world a better place.” – Judge Arturo Castro
Awards: One $5,000 scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Graduation from law school by spring 2026;
- Registered for the July 2026 California Bar Exam;
- Significant ties to, or expects to practice in, the East Bay (Alameda and/or Contra Costa Counties);
- Demonstrated financial need; preference will be given to students who do not already have all of their bar exam study expenses covered by another funding source;
- Demonstrated commitment to employing the law to advance social justice; and
- Demonstrated academic success and potential to succeed as a future lawyer.
- Member of the East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association. (Dues are only $1 for law students: www.eblrla.org/join.)
Link to Application: 2026 Piedad & Raul Castro Scholarship
Application Instructions: Email the completed application form and the requested supporting documents as a single PDF file to eblrlasf@gmail.com with “Castro Scholarship – [Your Name]” in the subject line. If you have any questions, please email eblrlasf@gmail.com.
Due Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific). Late applications will not be considered.
Bar Study Scholarships: First-Time Takers & Retakers
The application period is now open, DUE JUNE 14, 2026.
Awards: One (1) $5,000 scholarship to a bar applicant preparing for and taking the July 2026 California bar exam for the first time. Up to three (3) $1,000 individual scholarships to bar applicants preparing for and retaking the July 2026 California bar exam.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registered for the July 2026 California bar exam;
- Demonstrated financial need;
- Demonstrated commitment to academic success and/or leadership experience;
- Demonstrated commitment to using the law to advance social justice; and
- Member of the Association and significant ties to, or expects to practice in, Alameda and/or Contra Costa Counties. Dues are $1 for law students/recent law school graduates: eblrla.org/join.
| Links to Applications: | 2026 EBLRLA Bar Study First-Time Application | 2026 EBLRLA Bar Study Retakers Application |
Application Instructions: Email this completed application form and requested supporting documents, preferably as a single PDF file, to eblrlasf@gmail.com with “2026 Scholarship Fund Bar Study – [Your Name]” in the subject line. All applications will be kept confidential by the Fund review committee and will be destroyed when no longer necessary. If you have any questions, please email eblrlasf@gmail.com.
Due Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific). Late applications will not be considered.
Public Interest Law Summer Stipend
The application period is now open, DUE JUNE 14, 2026.
2026 Public Interest Summer Stipend Application
Awards: We will award multiple stipends, each in an amount ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Law student is placed – or will be placed – in an unpaid public interest law role for the 2026 summer at a non-profit organization, legal aid organization, government agency, or court. Preference will be given to applicants with ties to Alameda and/or Contra Costa counties.
- Member of the Association. (Dues are only $1 for law students: www.eblrla.org/join.)
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Demonstrated commitment to using the law to advance social justice.
- Demonstrated commitment to academic success and/or leadership experience.
- Proof of placement in an unpaid public interest law role for the 2026 summer, if available.
The EBLRLA Scholarship Fund aims to support as many deserving law students as possible. While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to applicants who have not already secured funding (e.g., from their law school or another bar association) for their 2026 summer employment.
Link to Application: 2026 Public Interest Summer Stipend Application
Application Instructions: Email the completed application form and the requested supporting documents, preferably as a single PDF file, to eblrlasf@gmail.com with “2026 Summer Stipend – [Your Name]” in the subject line. If you have any questions, please email eblrlasf@gmail.com.
Due Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific. Late applications will not be considered.
Past Scholarship Recipients
|
Year |
Recipients |
Name of Scholarship |
|
2025 |
Gloria Cenizo |
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship |
|
2024 |
Jocelyn Gomez |
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship |
|
2023 |
Monique Ramirez |
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship |
|
2022
|
Natassja Urrutia |
Bar Study Scholarship |
|
2021
|
Lilian Lopez-Zepeda |
Bar Study Scholarship |
|
2020 |
Leticia Chavez |
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship |
|
2019
|
Victor Escobar Troya |
California ChangeLawyers Scholarship |
|
2017 |
Daniela Huerta |
|
|
2015 |
Maritza Perez Medina |
|
|
2013 |
Ana (Baires Mira) Flores |
|
|
2011 |
María D. Domínguez |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
2008 |
Lucero Chavez |
|
|
2007 |
|
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Updated 05/30/2026