Hardship Policy
Scholarship Information for Pennsylvania
Attorneys Experiencing Financial Hardship
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board requires
that all accredited CLE providers “shall have available a financial hardship policy for
attorneys who wish to attend its courses, but for whom the cost of such courses would be
a financial hardship.” Pa.R.C.L.E. Regulations § 11(h).
The Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Benjamin Franklin American Inn of Court (the
“Inn”) will award a limited number of scholarships to attorneys experiencing financial
hardship, in the form of a waiver of fees for the Inn’s educational programs. When a
scholarship is awarded, the recipient may attend the Inn’s educational programs and pay
only the applicable Pennsylvania CLE credit fee (currently $1.50 per credit hour, as of
January 2010). Scholarships do not include membership in the Inn, and do not include
admittance to non-CLE social events.
Each scholarship is valid for the then-current program year, expiring on June 30 each
year. Recipients who continue to experience hardship must reapply annually.
Application Procedure:
Each applicant shall provide a personal statement in the form of a letter to the Board, not
to exceed one page. The applicant should: (1) state that the Inn’s applicable membership
fee would constitute a financial hardship, and (2) explain in reasonable detail the nature
of the hardship (e.g., unemployment). No documentation, exhibits, or attachments should
be included with the letter.
Scholarship applications will generally be considered and voted upon by the Board at
their next regular meeting following receipt of an application. Approval is at the sole
discretion of the Board
Last revision: January 2010