NACDL - Public Defense Scholarships FAQ

Public Defense Scholarships FAQ

Access to high caliber training is critical to ensuring defense lawyers are able to fulfill their role as a meaningful check on government abuse, a knowledgeable advisor, and a zealous advocate on behalf of their clients. To help public defense lawyers get access to this training, NACDL, through generous grant funding, offers scholarship assistance. Scholarships are awarded in the form of full or partial reimbursements of registration. Limited travel reimbursement stipends may also be awarded to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.

Don't see an answer to your question here? Email us at: pdtscholarship@nacdl.org.

Eligibility How It Works Reimbursements Other Apply Now

Eligibility

How It Works

How many scholarships are available for each 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?
How do I know if my application was received?
How will I know if I receive a scholarship?
May I apply for public defense scholarship funds to more than one program?
A group of people from my office would like to apply for funds, can we apply together?
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?

Reimbursements

If I was awarded a registration scholarship, do I still have to register for the program?
My office is paying for my registration, can they be reimbursed directly?
Can my scholarship funds be advanced to allow me to pay my registration and/or travel expenses?
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?