Nebraska Paralegal Association

NOTICE:  Scholarship application deadline April 1

Student Scholarship

To encourage and assist men and women in pursuit of training for careers as paralegals.

The following criteria must be met in order to apply for scholarships:

1. Applicants must be Nebraska residents admitted and accepted in a paralegal program at an accredited University, College, Community College or Business College located in Nebraska;

2. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in the accredited paralegal program at the school at which applicant is admitted. These hours must not be a combination of hours with another college;

3. Applicants must attach their letter of acceptance to the paralegal program and must be in academic good standing with at least a 3.000 (B) grade point average at the time the student applies for the scholarship;

4. Applicants must fully complete the application procedure herein on or before the stated deadline; and

5. Only one scholarship award will be made to any one applicant.

Each applicant must complete the following procedures to apply for the scholarship:

1. Each applicant shall submit a professional resume.  Traditionally the resume includes (but is not limited to) the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, educational background, employment history, extracurricular and/or community activities, memberships, honors, and accomplishments;

2. Each applicant shall also provide a type-written essay (one page minimum) that describes why the applicant is pursuing an education in a paralegal program;

3. Each applicant shall provide one letter of recommendation from an instructor, employer or community leader. No family members of the applicant may submit a letter of recommendation for the applicant;

4. Each applicant shall submit a copy of a letter of acceptance to a Nebraska paralegal program;

5. A continuing college level applicant shall submit a statement of academic good standing, which contains the most recent grade point average, for his/her most recent college term; and

6. A personal interview may be required at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

NOTICE:  Scholarship application deadline April 1. The application materials should be forwarded to NePA, P.O. Box 24943, Omaha NE 68124. Any application postmarked after the scholarship application deadline will be disqualified.

Announcement of scholarship awards shall be made in writing to recipients 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 NePA Luncheon Meeting and at the General Meeting of the Members and Recognition Banquet (if applicable).

Payment of the scholarship award (currently $1,000) shall be made in the NePA fiscal year immediately following the announcement of the recipient (currently after October 1) and shall be made directly to the college or university the recipient is committed to attend, pursuant to the following terms:

1. Fifty percent (50%) of the scholarship award shall be paid in the first half of the term of attendance in the paralegal program. The remaining fifty percent (50%) will be paid in the second half of the term upon proof of academic good standing for that first term and proof of continuing attendance in the paralegal program;

2. The student shall provide proof of enrollment to the Scholarship Committee along with the name and address of the college or university office to which payment must be made, together with any required student identification number; and

3. The student shall be responsible for reporting any financial awards to the college or university, in compliance with any financial aid requirements of the college or university.

Student Membership
Applicants need not be members of NePA at the time of application; however, membership is encouraged.  The recipient of the Student Scholarship shall be provided with a one year complimentary Student status membership in NePA, to coincide with the fiscal year following the announcement of the scholarship award and is encouraged to attend NePA events.

Inability of Winner to Accept Scholarship Award or Attend School
In the event a winner is unable to accept the scholarship award, said scholarship award shall go to the next highest finalist. If any winner accepts the scholarship award and thereafter is unable to attend school, the award or any unused balance thereof, shall be returned to NePA, Post Office Box 24943, Omaha, Nebraska 68124-0943.

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

Your logo can be here!  Contact Laurie Montag at lmontag@nebraskaparalegal.org for more information!