NFPA will award annual scholarships to paralegal students in the United States. The number and amount of scholarships to be given shall be determined annually by the NFPA Board of Directors at the January Board Meeting. The amount of money allocated each year for scholarships may be increased or decreased by either NFPA or the sponsor, with the party increasing the funds responsible for contributing the increased amount.

NOTE: SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE TO BE USED TO PURSUE A PARALEGAL EDUCATION. CHECKS WILL BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT AND THE RECIPIENT'S PARALEGAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION. TRAVEL EXPENSE CHECKS WILL BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO RECIPIENTS BY NFPA FROM THE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSOR.

The scholarship essay topic for 2023 is: What are the most important skills of a paralegal and why? How can you improve and enhance those skills as you progress as a paralegal?

You are a newly graduated paralegal and have just started your first paralegal job. Your attorney has texted you at 8PM on a Friday night asking you to draft a pleading as soon as possible. Being you are new, you want to impress. How would you respond to the attorney? What legal principles might apply? How would you set boundaries and limits on your time with your attorney? What impact could being an exempt or non-exempt employee have on the issue?

All applications must be submitted via the online form on or before July 1. No applications will be accepted via mail, fax or email. The application must include:

• The essay;

• Two references;

• A letter of recommendation from the program director;

• Transcripts;

• Participation in extracurricular and paralegal activities;

• And statement of financial need.

Incomplete applications will be reviewed “as is” with no opportunity to supplement.

Candidates may be disqualified for either one of the following reasons:

a. Conviction of a felony or comparable crime as defined by an individual state that does not have felony designations; or

b. Currently under the suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration of a certificate, registration or license to practice by a professional organization, court, disciplinary board or agency in any jurisdiction.

The criteria listed below will be utilized in selecting scholarship recipients. The applicant:

a. Must be a full or part-time student enrolled in a paralegal program;

b. Must demonstrate and maintain a B average;

c. May demonstrate extracurricular activities and/or community service;

d. May demonstrate active participation in paralegal program clubs or activities; and

e. May demonstrate financial need.

Scholarship winner will be notified of the award by early September, either by the DPD or Education Coordinator. Scholarship winners are asked to keep their achievement confidential until the award has been given.

The sponsor will provide a travel stipend for each scholarship recipient so that he/she may receive his/her scholarship at the NFPA Annual Convention. Travel stipends may not be granted if no sponsor is secured for the student scholarships.

A copy of the winning essays and bios will be sent to the sponsor. The scholarships and commemorative plaques will be presented to the recipients during the awards luncheon at the NFPA Annual Convention.

The winning essays, bios and photographs of the scholarship recipients will be posted on NFPA’s website, NFPA National Paralegal Reporter or other media as deemed appropriate by the NFPA Board of Directors.