Public Interest Law Foundation at Boston College

StipendsApplication Ruberic

1. What is a PILF Stipend?

A PILF Stipend is a financial award to fund rising 2Ls and 3Ls working at nonprofit and government agencies or with judges during the summer.

2. Do I have to be “Work Study Eligible” to receive a Stipend?
No. Stipend applications will be read and graded blind as to whether a student is or is not work study eligible. The best applicants will be awarded stipends, though non-work study eligible students will receive a smaller award. (See below.) Thus, it is extremely important that you apply for work study. Be on the look out for an email from Jill Barnhart that contains the deadline to apply for summer work study. The deadline for students who wish to apply for summer work study is much earlier than for students who only wish to apply for financial aid/work study during the academic year.

3. How much money will I receive if I am selected for a Stipend?
Our goal is to fund all students who are not work study eligible and qualify for a stipend at $2000, but if a very large percentage of those students who qualify for one of the stipends are not work study eligible, the amount each student receives may be slightly less than $2000, based on available funds. Those who are eligible for work study and are awarded a Stipend will receive a total of $4000. PILF will pay the “employer’s portion” of work study, usually around $1,700, and the federal government will supply the remaining $2,300.

4. Is the Stipend issued as a “lump sum?”
No, all students, regardless of work study status will be paid at a rate of $10/hour through BC’s direct deposit system. If you don’t work the full amount of hours, you won’t be paid the full sum. After a student reaches their award total, they will not be paid for additional time worked. In other words, non-work study eligible students will be paid for 300 hours of work and work study eligible students will be paid for 400 hours of work, regardless of whether the student works more hours.

5. How are Stipend recipients selected?
Stipend recipients are selected through an application process. As mentioned above, applications are graded blindly, meaning the graders do not know the applicant’s identity or work-study status.

6. What factors does the selection committee take into consideration when choosing Stipend recipients?
Different types of positions receive slightly different numbers of points. For example, positions which involve direct legal services are slightly favored. However, the vast majority of points, two-thirds of all possible points, are based on your response to the essay questions. The essay questions will ask you to reflect on what public interest is, your experience working and volunteering in the public/nonprofit sector, and your furture commitment to public interest. Please take the time to write thoughtful, well-written answers.

7. Do I have to volunteer to help with the PILF Auction in order to be legible to receive a Stipend?
While volunteering to help with the action is not necessary, it is highly encouraged and those students who do help will be rewarded. When applications are graded, students receive points for participation in the auction. If you have not yet gotten involved in the auction, but are interested in doing so, please email caitlyn.burns@gmail.com to find out what you can do.

8. If I haven’t yet secured summer employment by the application deadline, can I still apply for a Stipend?
Applications are for specific positions, not for the individual. You may apply for funding for a position if, by the application deadline, you at least have an interview scheduled with the organization. If you have multiple interviews scheduled, you may apply for funding for multiple positions, although ultimately you can only accept funding for a single position. If apply for multiple positions, you must submit an application for each position.

9. If I am working abroad, am I eligible for a Stipend?
Yes, but because federal work study does not cover work abroad, you will be funded as if you are not work study eligible, regardless of your actual status.

10. If I am working for a judge, am I eligible for a Stipend?
Yes. There are a limited number of endowed Stipends specifically for students working for judges. Additionally, if there are more students eligible for Stipends than there are endowed stipends, students may still qualify for a Stipend but should be aware that students working for judges receive slightly fewer points than those working in direct legal services.

11. Should I continue looking for other funding sources?
Yes!! While last year PILF was able to fund 100% of eligible applicants, this may not happen this year. Schedule a meeting with Kate Devlin-Joyce in career services; she is an amazing resource and will point you in the direction of other funding sources.

12. May I “double up” on summer funding?
Students who are being paid by their employer are not eligible for a stipend. However, students can recieve monies from other grants/fellowships as long as the total amount does not exceed $5,000. For example:
a. A work-study eligible stipend recipient cannot receive more than $1,000 from an outside source
b. A non-work-study eligible stipend recipient cannot receive more than $3,000 from an outside source.

13. When do I apply?
TBA

14. When will I be notified as to whether I have received a stipend?
Stipend recipients are notified in early to mid-April.

15. If I’m still confused, who should I contact?
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email Amy Parker, amyclareparker@gmail.com