2012-2013 PLSS Summer Grant Program

1. 2012-2013 PLSS Summer Grant Program Guide to the new (and eliminated) requirements for the PLSS Summer grant

2. In order to qualify for the grant you must… Be eligible to advance to the next year of study (3Ls and 4Es are not eligible); Have completed the PLSS Summer Grant application by the due date, March 27th; Have an internship offer from a public interest employer by March 27th (either through the Internship Assistance Program or through the student’s own solicitation efforts); Not receive academic credit for the summer internship; Have completed at least seven hours of volunteer time toward a PLSS event; Be a dues paying member of PLSS; and Have had your resume reviewed and approved by a member of the CDO staff.

3. Changes to the Grant Application in 2012/2013 Two significant changes have been made to the 2012/2013 grant application: All students to apply for the Grant must have had their resume’s reviewed and approved by a member of the CDO staff before the application due date on March 27th; Letters of recommendation are no longer a requirement of the Grant application.

4. Internship Assistance Program Beginning in 2012/2013, we will launch our Internship Assistance Program. This program is open to all students who apply for the PLSS Summer Grant. The Internship Assistance Program is a fantastic resource for students who have not already secured a placement or who do not know which public interest agency/firm they would like to intern at. Students who decide to utilize this program will be given a list of employers who have hired or are interested in hiring summer interns from McGeorge. After the student’s resume is reviewed and approved by the CDO, he or she will be given the contact information for the internship coordinator at the agencies/firms he or she is interested in and any specific instructions regarding applying to those particular agencies/firms.

5. Internship Placement Assistance Program Requirements In order to qualify to receive a placement through the Internship Placement Assistance Program, a student must: Have had their resume’s reviewed and approved by a member of the CDO staff by or before March 1st. (No exceptions will be made for students who fail to meet this deadline.) Students who do not have their resume reviewed and approved by March 1stmay still apply to receive the PLSS Summer Grant as long as he or she has his/her resume approved by the final grant deadline, March 27th; however, he or she will have to secure a qualifying internship offer through his/her own efforts.

6. Keep in mind… The PLSS Summer Grant is not guaranteed, nor can we promise that students will secure an internship offer through the Internship Placement Assistance Program. We do everything in our power to secure our members qualifying internship offers and financial assistance. We provide grants to as many applicants as possible and are dedicated to creating opportunities for students to meet potential employers. Students who demonstrate initiative in securing an internship as well as a history of dedication to public interest causes will set themselves apart to the application review board.

7. However… Last year, PLSS doled out $83,000 in Grant money to PLSS members. Of the 44 students who applied in 2012, 32 received grant money from PLSS. (Only 12 students did not receive the grant, 4 of which were denied because they received a substantial grant from another non-profit organization.) The CDO has agreed to assist the PLSS Board in securing public interest employers interested in participating in the Internship Placement Assistance Program. We project that there will be between 20 and 50 qualifying employers who are interested in hiring a McGeorge law student through the program.

8. Grants Grants range in amount according the number of hours that a student projects he or she will work. The maximum grant amount is $3,500; however, additional funding for internship-related expenses such as travel and heightened cost of living may also be available. If a student works full-time during the summer, he or she will qualify for the maximum grant amount.

9. The Future of the Grant Program The 20th Annual PLSS Live and Silent Auction (last year) was a HUGE success. We earned nearly $200,000- approximately $150,000 more than we have ever earned at past auctions. In 2012, the PLSS Board elected to create an endowment (the Dean Elizabeth Parker Endowment for Public Interest Law) in order to secure the financial security of the PLSS Grant Program for future generations. With your help in 2013, we can increase our Grant fund to allow for greater financial assistance for this and next years student applicants.

10. Qualifying Public Interest Internships Generally, any student with an unpaid internship at the following agency or firm will qualify for the Grant: State or federal agency; District Attorney, Public Defender, Attorney General or Federal Defender’s Office; City or County agency Non-profit firm Free legal services program or clinic (VLSP, LSNC) Judicial clerk

11. Qualifying Public Interest Internships In addition, an internship in one of the following legal focuses may qualify for the Grant: Civil rights Women’s rights Environmental Law Immigration Law Health Law Juvenile Law Elder rights