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Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants Certified Legal Assistant Scholarship Policy

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Purpose

To encourage and assist men and women in pursuit of obtaining the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Legal Assistants Specialty (CLAS) designation.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee shall consist of the Certified Legal Assistant Scholarship Committee chairman, the Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants (NeALA) president and one or more NeALA members.

Applicant and Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant must be a Nebraska or Iowa resident working as a full-time legal assistant;
2. Applicant must be employed as a legal assistant for at least one year prior to making application for the scholarship;
3. Applicant must complete the application procedure herein on or before the stated deadline; and
4. Only one scholarship award will be made to any one applicant.
5. Applicant must be an active member of the Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants.
6. An applicant will only be eligible once for a CLA or CLAS scholarship.

CLA Scholarship Funds

Scholarship funds may be applied toward CLA review courses, study guides and materials and the application fee for setting for the CLA or CLAS examination.

CLA Application Procedure

1. Each applicant shall submit a typed letter of application that includes where they are currently employed, and why they want the CLA or CLAS designation.
2. Each applicant shall also submit a resume that includes the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, employment address and telephone number, educational background, employment history, a list of extracurricular and/or community activities, a summary of career plans, memberships, honors, accomplishments and reason for applying for the scholarship;
3. Each applicant shall also provide a writing sample that describes why the applicant is pursuing the CLA or CLAS designation and how the applicant believes a CLA or CLAS designation will help them with their career.
4. Each applicant shall provide two letters of recommendation; one from their employing supervisor and one from a former instructor, employer or community leader. Family members of the applicant may not submit a letter of recommendation for the applicant;
5. A personal interview may be required at the direction of the CLA Scholarship Committee.

CLA Scholarship Application Deadline

The deadline for submission of a CLA or CLAS scholarship application to the CLA Scholarship Committee shall be on or before August 1, of each year. Any application postmarked after the scholarship application deadline will be disqualified. Candidates will only be eligible once either for a CLA or CLAS designation.

Scholarship Award Announcement

Announcement of the CLA or CLAS scholarship award shall be made in writing to the recipient no later than thirty (30) working days following the scholarship application deadline. Applicants not awarded a scholarship shall receive written notice of the same on or before the announcement deadline. Public recognition and announcement of the recipient’s name shall be made at the next NeALA District Luncheon Meeting and at the General Membership Meeting that is held in September.

Amount of Scholarship

The scholarship amount shall be recommended annually to the Board of Directors by the Scholarship Committee based on available budgeted funds and submitted to the membership for vote.

Payment of Scholarship

Payment of the scholarship award shall be made directly to the course of study, the study course materials, or the National Association of Legal Assistants for payment toward the application fees for sitting for the CLA or CLAS exam. If the recipient does not take the exam within one year of the award, the scholarship award shall be returned to the treasury of the Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants.

Inability of Winner to Accept CLA Scholarship Award

In the event a winner is unable to accept the CLA scholarship award, said scholarship award shall go to the next highest finalist. If there is none, then the funds shall be returned to the treasury of the Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants.

Progress Reports of Recipients

The Scholarship Committee Chairman will present periodic reports on the progress of the CLA or CLAS scholarship recipient to NeALA’s Board of Directors. It is recommended that the chairman continue to maintain personal contact with the scholarship recipient.

Non-Discriminatory Statement

Selection of scholarship recipient shall be made without regard to race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or marital status.