Financial Assistance

Pre-Law Summer Institute for American Indians and Alaska Natives

PLSI Funding

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) are our major funders. We also receive donations from law firms, alumni, and friends of the program.

PLSI Travel Expense Funding

Our grants allow for reimbursement of reasonable costs for travel to and from Albuquerque to participate in PLSI. In recent years, we have been able to reimburse students’ travel expenses up to a total of approximately $600 round trip. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and must comply with the following requirements in order to be eligible for travel expense reimbursement, if you qualify:

The cost of coach airline tickets, or the cost of travel by car by the most direct route at the allowable federal per diem rate, whichever is less, up to the maximum allowable reimbursement. If travel is by airline, a legible copy of the itinerary and receipt must be submitted at registration.

If travel is by car, both beginning and ending odometer readings must be submitted at registration. Although actual mileage will be used to compute reimbursements, federal travel regulations require odometer readings as proof of travel.

Meals, hotel accommodations, and commuting costs are not reimbursable.

Book Allowance Applications for PLSI Graduates

1L Application

2L Application

3L Application

1L Book Allowance for Recent PLSI Graduates Application

Application form for 1L Book Allowances. Eligible recipients may receive up to $1500 (depending on funding) to be spent on required course materials, books and fees necessary for their first year of law school.

Step 1 of 2

Eligibility:

Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) graduates who are entering their first year of a full-time or part-time Juris Doctor program at any ABA accredited law school. Eligible recipients may receive up to $1,500 (depending on funding) to be spent on required course materials, books, and fees necessary for their first year of law school. In addition to the completion of this form, applicants must submit a copy of their law school issued first semester schedule of courses and proof of tribal membership.

Name *

First

Last

PLSI Year *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Email *

Tribal Affiliation *

Cell Phone *

Law School *

Please spell the name of the institution without acronyms.

Expected Graduation Year *

Please indicate your enrollment status.

Full-time
Part-time

Have you joined the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) or National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) at your law school?

Please list all law school organizations joined in your first year:

Document Upload Section

You must also submit the following documents:

Proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Submit both sides of your current and unexpired tribal membership card.
Law School issued first semester schedule of courses with your name and the name of your law school, or letter from your registrar stating that you are enrolled in a J.D. program. Part-time students are eligible for a pro-rated amount and should apply.
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

Proof of Membership *

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 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.

First Semester Course Schedule *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Law school issued first semester schedule of courses that includes the name of your school, your degree program, and your full name.

2L Book Allowance for PLSI Graduates Application

Application form for 2L Book Allowances. Eligible recipients may receive up to $1500 (depending on funding) to be spent on required course materials, books and fees necessary for their second year of law school. We do not need receipts for this allowance.

Step 1 of 2

Eligibility:
Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) graduates in their second year of a full-time or part-time Juris Doctor program at any ABA accredited law school. Eligible recipients may receive up to $1,500 (depending on funding) to be spent on required course materials, books, and fees necessary for their second year of law school. In addition to the completion of this form, applicants must submit a copy of their law school issued transcript, first semester 2L schedule of courses (will accept unofficial that includes student’s full name, school, and program), updated resume, and proof of tribal membership (both sides of tribal ID card).

Name *

First

Last

PLSI Year *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Email *

Tribal Affiliation *

Cell Phone *

Law School *

Please spell the name of the institution without acronyms.

Expected Graduation Year *

Are you a full-time or part-time student?

Full-time
Part-time

Have you joined the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) or National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) at your law school?

Please list all law school organizations joined since starting law school:

Please list summer employment or clerkship for summer 2024 (details are appreciated):

Please list anticipated summer employment or clerkship for summer 2025 (details are appreciated):

Document Upload Section

You must also submit the following documents:

Proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Submit both sides of your current and unexpired tribal membership card.
Law School issued first semester schedule of courses. Make sure it includes the name of your law school, your degree program, and your full name.
Law School transcript from your law school identifying you as the student. Submit all documents in PDF. The transcript can be unofficial but it must include the name of your law school, your degree program, and your full name.
Updated resume

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

Proof of Membership *

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.

First Semester 2L Course Schedule *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Law school issued first semester 2L schedule of courses that includes the name of your law school, your degree program, and your full name.

Law School Transcript *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

This can be an unofficial transcript as long as it includes the name of your law school, your degree program, and your full name.

Resume *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Financial Assistance

PLSI Funding

PLSI Travel Expense Funding

Related Links

Book Allowance Applications for PLSI Graduates

Eligibility:

Document Upload Section

Certification and Acknowledgement of Responsibility

Document Upload Section

Certification and Acknowledgement of Responsibility

Document Upload Section

Certification and Acknowledgement of Responsibility