Scholarship Criteria

Each year after the preparation of the Chapter's budget and after the expiration of the BP submission deadline, there will be a review of for scholarships based on this program.

New membership Scholarship -- New members (defined as joining between January 1 and December 31) who renew the following year are eligible to win a scholarship to any one of the three Business of Law conferences.  Scholarship will be drawn at the March installation meeting at random.

Application scholarship --  All members are eligible to apply.  Applications must be returned to the Board by January 31st.  Applications will be reviewed at the February board meeting.  Scholarships will be based on the number of applications received.  Should the number of applications exceed the amount of funds available, the scholarship will be drawn at random.  

National Conference -- All Chapter members in attendance at the Managing Partners Luncheon are eligible to win a scholarship to Nationals.  Scholarship will be drawn at the conclusion of the Managing Partners meeting at random.

Nancy Haley - Only a Board member may win the Nancy Haley scholarship. The purpose of the Nancy Haley scholarship was the establishment for a Board member to attend the Regional conference. The Board member is still eligible to win a scholarship to National.

The above scholarships will be awarded based upon the amount of funds available to the Chapter each fiscal year.  Members are ineligible if previously awarded and attended the scholarship conference the prior year.  

If you are unable to attend the scholarship you were selected for, please notify the Board immediately so the first alternate may be notified and have a chance to register for early registration or in the alternative, if you have registered, the Board can change your registration to the alternate’s name.

Applications must be submitted on or before January 31st of each year.

Scholarships Reimbursements:
The following is a breakdown of expense reimbursements that are included in an ALA scholarship to ALA Conferences and Chapter Leadership Institute:

• Conference Registration Fees: All scholarship winners should ensure that they register before the early bird cut-off.  If this is a registration for an alternate and they were not informed until after the deadline, the full cost will be reimbursed.

• Airfare: Standard coach airfare is reimbursed.  The scholarship winner should make their reservations early and use diligence to ensure a reasonable fare.

• Luggage Fees: One bag/luggage fee each way will be reimbursed with a maximum reimbursement of $100.00 per round trip. 

• Mileage: If a Conference is in the vicinity of the Jacksonville area such as Savannah or Orlando, a member may have the option to drive to the conference.  You will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate.  Carpooling is encouraged.  The person doing the actual driving would be reimbursed.

• Hotel Room: Room costs plus applicable taxes and fees will be reimbursed during the conference. If a scholarship winner wishes to extend their stay on either side of the conference, the room costs are not reimbursable.  If there are no reasonable flights available to get the registrant to/from the meeting locale additional room charge reimbursement will be considered.  Sharing of rooms is encouraged but in not necessary.

• Parking and Transportation: Airport parking fees will be reimbursed as well as transportation to/from the meeting locale.  Again, diligence should be used when possible for reasonable parking and shared cab rides.

• Chapter Dinner: There will be an arranged Chapter dinner paid for by the Chapter during each Conference that is attended by two or more members.  The Chapter will pay for appetizers shared by all and up to a total of fifty ($50) dollars for each Chapter member’s check.  The check can include the member’s guest.

• Social Gathering: It is permissible for members to arrange a Chapter social gathering paid for by the Chapter during each Conference that is attended by two or more members.  The Chapter will pay for a maximum of two drinks per person.  The Chapter requests responsible decision making and to always consider one’s safety.   

• Meal Stipend:  During a Conference, in the absence of a meal offered by ALA, stipends of up to ten ($10) dollars for breakfast, fifteen ($15) for lunch and twenty-five ($25) for dinner will be reimbursed to each attending member upon the submission of receipts to the Treasurer.  Stipends will not be combined into a daily total.  The reimbursement period begins one day prior to the start of the Conference and ends one-day post Conference, with traveling arrangement limitations considered.

• Payment of Extracurricular Events: Fees for optional events that take place before and after conferences and that are not officially sponsored by ALA are not to be reimbursed. These types of events include, but are not limited to, day tours and golf outings unless pre-approved by the Board.

• Other Expenses:  Other expenses not listed here may be reimbursed at the discretion of the Board.