Work in federal, state, and local government and with not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status qualifies. Other work may qualify, but you should not assume that it does absent an affirmative ruling by the Financial Aid Office. Some international positions will qualify for funding although it is not possible to define a precise standard for eligibility.
In general, governmental entities and those entities that would be 501(c)(3) organizations if they were located in the United States will qualify. To guide your job search and selection process, you may request an advisory ruling on whether the organization qualifies by giving the Financial Aid Office a description of the organization.
In 2008, students are eligible to receive up to $6,000 ($500 per week for up to 12 weeks) through SPIF. This budget should be sufficient to meet basic living expenses even in high cost areas. Funding from all sources cannot exceed $500 per week, so the amount of the grant from the Law School will be reduced, dollar for dollar, if other available funds exceed the budget amount. Students who split the summer between a public interest organization and a private law firm will generally not be eligible for assistance.
Students may receive funding from this program for two summers. Funding is not available for the summer after graduation. Joint degree students must be enrolled in the Law School for either the semester before or the semester after the summer fellowship. The maximum amount of funding that students can receive from any program at the Law School (including SPIF, Schell and Linkages) in one summer is $6,000 pro rated over 12 weeks.
Student eligibility for the program is based on financial need.