Native Bar Prep Initiative

Pre-Law Summer Institute for American Indians and Alaska Natives

The Native Bar Prep Initiative has four components:

Bar Review Course Reimbursements

Application for Bar Review Course Reimbursement (85% up to $3000) for any American Indian and Alaska Native Students, including PLSI alumni; can be combined with 3L Bar Support Fellowship.

How to Apply for Reimbursements

The American Indian Law Center, Inc., has funding to assist PLSI alumni and non-PLSI American Indian and Alaska Native law students with their bar review course fees. Any commercial bar review course, in person or on-line, taken in 2023 or 2024 is eligible.

To be reimbursed, complete the application and include all required documents.  See the Guidelines above for details.

There is no deadline, but there’s a fixed amount of money for this purpose and it will be disbursed on a first come-first served basis, so applying earlier is better! AILC can reimburse you for 85% of the cost of the course up to a maximum of $3000.  Please remember that we withhold 25% of the reimburseable amount until you submit your bar scores and final transcript with your degree posted.  

 It can take 30 – 60 days to receive the reimbursement after applying.  

If you have questions, please email us at AILCinfo@law.unm.edu.

Bar Course Reimbursement Application
2023-24 Reimbursement Guidelines

PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship

Application only for PLSI alumni, one time $5000 living support fellowship; can be combined with Bar Review Course Reimbursement.

Non-PLSI Native 3L Bar Support Fellowship

The American Indian Law Center, Inc. is offering 5 bar fellowships (up to $5000 each) for Non-PLSI Native law students who will graduate in May or December 2024 and will take the bar exam within 1 year of graduation.  

Deadline for applications: April 9, 2024.  Decisions will be made and checks mailed by May 15, 2024.  $500 will be withheld until applicant submits all bar scores and final transcript with degree posted.  

Review the posted guidelines for Non-PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship.

PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship Application
PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship Guidelines
Non-PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship Application
Non-PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship Guidelines

AILC Attorney Coaching Program

The American Indian Law Center, Inc. invites American Indian and Alaska Native bar examinees (PLSI alumni and non-PLSI) to participate in our attorney coaching program for applicants who are sitting for a state bar examination. This program is designed to provide additional support to applicants by matching each interested bar examinee with a committed attorney who will serve as a resource and coach. The coach’s goal will be to empower the applicant to succeed on the bar exam through the following efforts:

  • facilitating access to resources for the bar exam;
  • offering advice on best practices for preparing for the bar exam;
  • assisting applicants with their study plans;
  • holding applicants accountable to their study plan; and
  • offering general support and encouragement with the goal of reducing stress and anxiety.

If you feel the additional support of a coach could strongly benefit your success on the exam, please email your interest to AILCinfo@law.unm.edu. If you are an attorney, and would like to be a coach, please email Rodina Cave Parnall at caveparnall@law.unm.edu.

AILC Supplemental Bar Prep Workshops

The American Indian Law Center, Inc. invites American Indian and Alaska Native bar examinees to participate in our supplemental workshops in preparation for the February and July bar examinations. Our topics include: getting organized, approaching the bar examination as a re-taker, memorization, finding and using inexpensive or free resources, and study tips. Our presenters are experts on the topics. The meetings take place on zoom. For more information, please email AILCinfo@law.unm.edu.

Bar Exam Tips & Alerts From the Tutor:
How to Set Yourself Up for Success and Avoid Study Pitfalls

March 19th, 2024
6:00 pm MT with Mary Goza

The Do's and Don'ts of Bar Exam Prep Materials
Workshop Recording: The Do's and Don'ts of Bar Exam Prep
2024-2025 Non-PLSI 3L Bar Support Fellowship Application
The American Indian Law Center, Inc. is offering 5 bar fellowships (up to $5000 each) for Non-PLSI Native law students who will graduate in May or December 2024 and will take the bar exam within 1 year of graduation. Deadline for applications: April 9, 2024. Decisions will be made and checks mailed by May 15, 2024. $500 will be withheld until applicant submits all bar scores and final transcript with degree posted.
Step 1 of 2

Eligibility

Need-Based Native 3L students who are members of a federally recognized tribe (or 1st descendants) and who are registered to sit for a state bar exam after graduation in 2024.  If a student received a partial scholarship, grant, or tuition remission for their bar study support, they may be still eligible for this scholarship. You must submit a law school transcript and numerous other supporting documents for this application.  READ the 2024-2025 AILC 3L Bar Support Fellowship Guidelines  before completing this application.  Failure to provide all required information as requested will cause delays in processing your application. 

Please spell the name of the institution without acronyms.
US Jurisdictions
You can seek reimbursement for the cost of your bar review course separately.
Methods of Calculating Expenses

See 2023-2024 AILC 3L Bar Support Fellowship Guidelines

Cost of living calculator: https://livingwage.mit.edu. 
Note: Select, "Yes" if award could only be used to pay for exam living expenses. If it could be used for other purposes such as your bar application fees, living expense, etc., select "No"

Document Upload Section

You must also submit the following documents:

  • Law school transcript from your law school identifying you as the student. This can be an unofficial transcript because we know that your final transcript is not available yet.  You must submit your official final transcript with your degree posted as soon as it is available.  You need your official final transcript to sit for the bar examination, so you should be able to send it before the examination.
  • Proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Submit both sides of your tribal membership card.
  • Proof that you are scheduled to take the Bar exam.
  • Estimated Expenses | Upload living wage calculator with additional bar related expenses OR estimated expenses with supporting documentation (use worksheet in the guidelines).
  • Submit all documents in PDF.

*You must name your files in the following format so we can find your documents: last name.first name.document name.pdf

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Submit a 1-2 page statement explaining your need and how this funding will help.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.
(PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TRANSCRIPT UPLOAD INCLUDES YOUR NAME ON TRANSCRIPT WITH SCHOOL IDENTIFIED) Submit electronic transcripts to ailcinfo@law.unm.edu and upload a document here explaining that you are submitting it electronically.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.
Proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Submit both sides (front and back) of your Tribal ID card, preferably with the entire card (both sides) in the frame. If the card is expired, please contact your tribe or membership office for a letter of explanation and confirmation of membership. CDIB can be acceptable if it has your membership status, name, blood quantum, address of agency, and signature of enrollment officer.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.
Make sure all documents include the bar jurisdiction, date of exam, and your full name.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 11 files.
Upload living wage calculator with additional bar related expenses (circle your category) OR estimated expenses with supporting documentation (use worksheet in guidelines).