PACE Scholarship
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
Deadline: July
To recognize excellence in individual paralegals and paralegal associations. Qualifications: Applicants must meet PACE/PCCE eligibility requirements; must agree to agree to take PACE/PCCE within six (6) months of the scholarship award; prior unsuccessful attempts to take PACE/PCCE will not cause the applicant to become ineligible for the scholarship award; applicants may be disqualified for any one of the following reasons: conviction of a felony or comparable crime as defined by an individual state that does not have felony designations; 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; Falsification or misstatements on any part of the PACE scholarship application or plagiarism of any part of the essay; failure to meet the PACE eligibility criteria or dishonesty in the affidavit accompanying the application; failure to comply with the instructions or guidelines for completing the scholarship application. Selection criteria: Selection will be based on judges will review applications based on the following criteria and weightings which were determined by the NFPA board of directors: application - 5%; essay - 40%; years of paralegal experience - 15%; efforts to further the paralegal profession in the community; (this may be through pro bono work, serving on committees, local association boards, bar association committees, etc.) - 20%; leadership in place of employment and within local association and/or in the community - 15%; miscellaneous other criteria (might include financial need, whether the applicant's; employer will reimburse for costs associated with PACE/PCCE) -5%; application - 25%; education or experience performance - 10%; essay - 50%; miscellaneous other criteria (might include financial need, whether the applicant's employer will reimburse for costs associated with PACE/PCCE) -15%. How to apply: Applications must include: an essay of 4 pages or less on a topic to be determined by the vice president and director of paralegal certification; essays must be double spaced, typewritten and provided in no less than a 12-point font; margins must be 1 inch on all sides. Focus: Paralegal studies.