Don't see an answer to your question here? Email us at: pdtscholarship@nacdl.org.
Eligibility How It Works Reimbursements Other Apply Now Scholarship Overview
Eligibility
- Do I have to be a member of NACDL?
Membership in NACDL is not required to be eligible for scholarships for registration fees. Membership is required for travel scholarships. Non-members of NACDL may apply for travel funds, but you must become a member prior to receiving any awarded travel reimbursement.
- I am a private attorney who accepts court-appointed cases. Can I receive assistance?
Yes. Scholarship funds are available to private attorneys who accept court appointments, public defenders, and contract counsel.
- I am a private attorney who does not accept court-appointed cases but need financial assistance to attend a training. Can I receive assistance?
Yes. NACDL offers reduced registration fees for members who need financial assistance. Contact NACDL's Director of Events, Akvile Athanason, at aathanason@nacdl.org, for more information about NACDL's needs-based scholarships.
- Are public defender support staff such as investigators, mitigation specialists, or social workers eligible for scholarship funds?
No. While NACDL recognizes the valuable contributions that non-attorney personnel provide, our fund is limited and we can only provide scholarship assistance to licensed attorneys.
- Are law students eligible for scholarship funds?
No. Unfortunately, NACDL's public defense scholarship fund is only available to licensed attorneys. NACDL does offer reduced registration rates for law student members of the Association. Law student membership is FREE. To find out more about NACDL's student memberships please visit our membership page. To find out more about student registration fees please contact NACDL's Programs Department.
- I have received a scholarship from NACDL in the past, may I get funding again?
Yes. Individuals who have received scholarships before may be considered for scholarships again. However, as scholarship funds are limited, factors such as length of time between awards and compelling reasons to attend a program will be considered.
- Can I apply for a Public Defense Scholarship to attend a non-NACDL program?
Yes! In addition to NACDL-sponsored programs, any program that is open to defenders from multiple jurisdictions and not tailored to a single state is eligible for consideration. When applying for funds for a non-NACDL program, applicants must provide information about the program with their application.
How It Works
- How many scholarships are available for each program?
NACDL's public defense scholarship program is entirely grant-funded. The amount of funding that is available varies from program to program.
- When are applications due?
Due to the high demand for scholarship funding and the limited grant funds available for assistance, applications MUST be received no later than 90 days before a program's start date. Applications received less than 90 days before a program's start date will be unable to be considered for funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure their applications are submitted timely to ensure they can be evaluated for scholarship funds.
- How are applications evaluated?
Each scholarship application is reviewed individually, with consideration given to the specific financial need of the applicant, the relevance of the program to the applicant's current work, the applicant's history of providing public defense services, as well as the other information contained within the application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide detailed, substantive responses to the questions contained in the application.
- Must I use the public defense scholarship application form to apply?
Yes. All applicants must utilize the scholarship application form in order to be considered for funding. A supporting letter from a supervisor, office, or agency can be attached to the application.
- How do I know if my application was received?
You will receive an email confirmation of your submission. The email will come from noreply+automations@airtableemail.com. If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam filter. If you do not receive an acknowledgement email within 2 business days, please email: pdtscholarship@nacdl.org.
- How will I know if I receive a scholarship?
Applicants will be notified by email at the address provided on their application. Award decisions begin about 75 days before a program's scheduled start date. All efforts will be made to notify applicants about the decision on their application no less than 60 days before a program's start date.
- May I apply for public defense scholarship funds to more than one program?
Yes. Individuals may apply for multiple programs but must submit an separate application for each program they wish to attend.
- A group of people from my office would like to apply for funds, can we apply together?
No. Each person must submit an individual application and decisions are made based upon the individual merit of each application.
- I am a supervisor or leader of a defender office and would like to send several of my attorneys to a training program. Can I apply for scholarships on their behalf?
No. Each attorney must complete and submit their own, individual application. Office leaders may submit supporting documentation to supplement the application.
Reimbursements​
- If I was awarded a registration scholarship, do I still have to register for the program?
Yes. Receiving an NACDL scholarship does not register you for the program. You must still register for the program, paying any registration fees. After attending the program, you must follow the reimbursement process in order to receive your funds.
- My office is paying for my registration, can they be reimbursed directly?
Yes. When you submit your reimbursement request, indicate that information on the reimbursement form.
- Can my scholarship funds be advanced to allow me to pay my registration and/or travel expenses?
No. This is a reimbursement program. Funds are provided following the conclusion of the program upon proof of attendance.
- What documentation do I need to submit to receive my scholarship reimbursement?
After attending the program, you must provide a receipt showing payment of the registration fee, proof of attendance (signed CLE certificate, signed scholarship proof of attendance form, or completing the daily public defense scholarship sign in sheet) and complete an online public defense training evaluation.
If you received a travel award, you must also provide hotel and/or transportation receipts showing the amount paid, dates, and location of travel. Please visit our travel reimbursement page for additional details.
- What expenses can be reimbursed?
Registration fees and travel costs will be reimbursed up to the maximum amount of your scholarship and is limited to the actual amounts paid. Scholarship awards that exceed the actual amount paid may not be used for other expenses. Travel reimbursements are limited to expenses for lodging, airfare, and train fare. Additional details about travel reimbursement restrictions are provided in the travel award letter.
- What expenses cannot be reimbursed?
- State-specific CLE fees
- Membership fees
- Travel and/or lodging paid using points, gift certificates, or other non-monetary means
- Meals
- Car rental
- Mileage
- Taxi, ride-share, or other ground transportation
- Hotel valet, laundry, health club, pay-per-view or other similar charges
- Parking fees
- Travel expenses for significant other or guest
- Travel at any rate higher than coach/economy class fare
- I submitted my reimbursement paperwork, how long will it be before I receive payment?
Yes.It takes approximately 14 days to process your reimbursement and send out payment. If you do not receive timely payment, please contact: pdtscholarship@nacdl.org.
OTHER
- I received a scholarship but can no longer attend the program, may I transfer those funds to another program?
No. Awards are program specific. If you are no longer able to attend a program, please notify NACDL so those funds may be made available to another applicant. If you wish to be considered for another program, please submit a new application for that program.
- Can I transfer my scholarship to another attorney in my office or agency?
No. Scholarship awards are not transferrable. You may not give your award to another person in your office.
If you have additional questions about NACDL's Public Defense Scholarship please email us at pdtscholarship@nacdl.org.
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