ALL students who are considering applying for a PILA Fellowship for summer 2011 are strongly encouraged to attend this session. PILA is in the process of revising our grantee selection criteria and process.  At thisinformation session, PILA will release and explain new informationabout how grantees will be selected and who is eligible to apply.  PILA is committed to a transparent and fair process and is holding this meeting to make sure all applicants have accurate and complete information. 

Due to a large number of grants reserved for members of the Law and Public Service Program, PILA will award grants in one cycle in the Spring, rather than in two cycles (Fall & Spring) as in years past.  Please understand, however, that the Law & Public Service Program actually increases the total number of student fellowships; it merely delays the time frame in which non-program fellowships can be awarded.  Thus all 1L and 2L applications are due on February 11, 2011.  Since the deadline is only two weeks after we return from Winter Break, PILA is hosting this session in November so all applicants have information necessary to work on their applications over break.

What you need to know NOW to increase your chances of success in the Spring:

1. 1Ls MUST have a minimum of 15 public service and/or pro bono hours to be eligible.  2Ls MUST have a minimum of 35 hours to be eligible. (for definitions of each, see PILA's Website)
2. One criteria PILA considers in awarding grants is the number and quality of hours completed beyondthe minimum requirement.  For the purposes of this assessment, pro bono hours are considered more favorably than public service hours.  
3. New:  Specifically, pro bono hours are weighted at 1.5 to 1 for each public service hour.  So 2 pro bono hours = 3 public service hours.  Weighting of pro bono hours does not effect the number of hours needed for eligibility purposes.