USA Scholarships
DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship 2026 - $6,000 Law
The DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship (Building Relationships to Advance Veterans'' Opportunities) is a nationwide award for honorably discharged veterans who want to become lawyers. DLA Piper sponsors the program and Scholarship America runs the application portal. Each selected student receives $1,000 for LSAT preparation and law school application fees plus a $5,000 scholarship toward an ABA-accredited law school, for up to $6,000 total. The 2026 cycle is open now with a deadline of 13 November 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time. You must show a 3.0 GPA, honorable military discharge paperwork, and intent to enroll in LSAT prep or apply to law school within one year of finishing the program.
What is the DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship?
Building Relationships to Advance Veterans' Opportunities, usually called BRAVO, is DLA Piper's scholarship track for veterans who want to practice law. The global firm pairs the program with LEAP, its athlete pipeline scholarship, but BRAVO is built around people who already proved themselves in uniform and now need help covering LSAT costs and the first slice of law school tuition.
Scholarship America runs the portal, which keeps the rules consistent with other large corporate scholarships. You are not applying to DLA Piper for a job; you are asking a neutral administrator to judge your academic record, leadership story, and plan for an ABA-accredited law school. That separation matters when you write your essays: show discipline and community impact, not firm marketing language.
The money is split on purpose. One thousand dollars goes toward LSAT preparation and application fees, where many veterans get stuck paying out of pocket while still working or finishing a bachelor's degree. Five thousand dollars follows toward law school once you enroll at an accredited program. Payments land in August 2027 for the current cycle, so plan your LSAT timeline and school list with that lag in mind.
If you already have honorable discharge paperwork and a 3.0 GPA, BRAVO is one of the clearer veteran-to-law pathways funded by a major employer sponsor. Read the live Scholarship America checklist before you upload, redact your DD214 properly, and give your recommender the November 18 recommendation deadline as soon as you start the form.
Eligibility
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✓Age of majorityYou must be at least 18 or the age of majority in your state of residence, whichever is greater, when you apply.
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✓College enrollment or degreeYou must be enrolled part-time or full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university, or have already graduated from one. The scholarship supports veterans who are finishing undergraduate work or already hold a bachelor's degree before law school.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAScholarship America requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your official transcript must show course grades and credit hours for each term.
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✓Honorably discharged veteranYou must have served in the U.S. military, including Reserves or National Guard, and be honorably discharged with no current drilling or active service. Upload a DD214 or other discharge document showing honorable service by the program start date. Redact Social Security numbers before uploading.
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✓Law school or LSAT plan within one yearYou must plan to enroll in an LSAT preparation course or apply to an ABA-accredited law school within one year after completing the scholarship program requirements.
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✓Background check authorizationSelected recipients must authorize a sponsor background check before funds are released. Failure to authorize can disqualify an otherwise selected applicant.
Benefits
- LSAT and application support $1,000 for prep courses and law school application fees
- Law school scholarship $5,000 toward an ABA-accredited law school
- Total possible award Up to $6,000 per selected veteran
- Number of BRAVO awards Up to 20 recipients per cycle
- Renewability Not renewable, but you may reapply if still eligible
- Undergraduate tuition Not covered (award targets law school pathway)
- Non-ABA law programs Law school funds restricted to ABA-accredited schools
Document checklist
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✓Official college transcriptA current, complete transcript showing your name, school name, grades, and credit hours for each course and term. Grade reports without full transcript formatting are not accepted.
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✓DD214 or honorable discharge proofBRAVO applicants must upload a DD214 or equivalent document confirming honorable discharge. Black out Social Security numbers and other sensitive identifiers before submission.
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✓Online Scholarship America applicationComplete the DLA Piper portal application at scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/dlapiper/, including your education and career goal statement.
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✓One online recommendationOne recommender must submit the online recommendation form by 18 November 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time. Your application stays incomplete until the recommendation is received.
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✓Personal email for notificationsUse a personal email you control after graduation. Scholarship America notifies all applicants in February 2027 by email; school accounts that expire can cause you to miss results.
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✓Goal statement materialsPrepare a clear statement of educational and career goals tied to law school, plus details on leadership, work experience, and community activities referenced in the selection criteria.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship?
BRAVO stands for Building Relationships to Advance Veterans' Opportunities. DLA Piper sponsors the scholarship and Scholarship America administers it nationwide. Honorably discharged veterans who meet GPA and college enrollment rules can receive up to $6,000 split between LSAT or application costs and tuition at an ABA-accredited law school.
How much is the BRAVO Scholarship worth?
Each BRAVO recipient receives $1,000 intended for LSAT preparation and law school application expenses plus a $5,000 scholarship toward an ABA-accredited law school, for up to $6,000 total. Up to 20 BRAVO awards are granted each cycle. Awards are not renewable, though you may reapply in a later year if you still qualify.
When is the DLA Piper BRAVO Scholarship 2026 deadline?
The 2026 cycle closes on 13 November 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time on the Scholarship America portal. Recommenders must submit their online forms by 18 November 2026 at 3:00 PM CT. Applicants are notified in February 2027, and payments to law schools typically process in August 2027.
Who is eligible for the BRAVO Scholarship?
You must be an honorably discharged U.S. veteran (including former Reserves or National Guard members no longer drilling), meet a 3.0 GPA minimum, and be enrolled in or graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university. You also need a plan to start LSAT prep or law school applications within one year and must authorize a background check if selected.
Can active-duty service members apply for BRAVO?
The published criteria target veterans who are honorably discharged and no longer drilling or serving. If you are still on active duty or in a drilling Reserve or Guard status, you likely do not meet the BRAVO discharge requirement. Check the live Scholarship America page for any updates before you spend time on an application.
Does BRAVO pay for undergraduate tuition?
No. BRAVO funds are split between LSAT or application support and law school tuition at an ABA-accredited institution. Undergraduate tuition, living expenses, and non-law graduate programs are outside the stated award structure.
How competitive is the DLA Piper BRAVO program?
Scholarship America selects up to 20 BRAVO recipients while reviewing academic performance, leadership, work history, personal circumstances, and your written goals. Not every qualified applicant receives an award, and the decision email in February 2027 is final per program rules.
Where do I apply for the BRAVO Scholarship?
Apply only through scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/dlapiper/. DLA Piper does not accept separate paper applications for BRAVO. Support contacts listed on that page include [email protected] and phone assistance from Scholarship America staff.
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