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