The 2021 PILA Auction is Now Live!
2021 PILA Auction

PILA+ FAQ

PILA+ Grants FAQ

The Public Interest Law Association is so excited to announce the start of the PILA+ Grants program. Please find the answers to some frequently asked questions below. 

 

Why is PILA instituting this change? 

The current grants program does not take into account demonstrated student financial need. We believe that it is essential to continue having guaranteed baseline financial support for all students. We are grateful for the Law School’s continuing support of public service students. We feel the PILA+ grant as a source of additional public service summer funding is more necessary now than ever given that in a survey of all 2020 PILA grant recipients, only 16.9% of grantees reported that their PILA grant covered all of their summer living expenses. Thus, while PILA will continue to actively communicate with the administration about the baseline grant, we view PILA+ as a necessary supplement to the already existing grants program in order to provide additional support and the financial flexibility to public service students to pursue public service internships of their choice. 

 

Does this affect the baseline grants program at all? 

The baseline grant amount will remain the same. 1L students will still be guaranteed to receive $4,000 and 2L students will be guaranteed to receive $7,000 (pre-tax). The eligibility for the baseline grants likewise remains the same: students will be required to complete 40 hours of pro bono service (of which 5 can come from public service hours), accept an offer of employment from an eligible public service or judicial employer or have applied to at least five eligible employers by the grant deadline, and return a completed grant application by 5pm on Friday, February 11. Students will not be required to complete PILA points (hours of service to help PILA fundraise) in the future. 

 

Who is eligible for the PILA + Grants? Will these grants be guaranteed?

The PILA+ grants are guaranteed to all eligible students. Students must receive a Public Service Summer Grant (see above). In addition, they must verify on their honor that: 

  • The student will be living in a high cost of living area, defined as any area where the average rent is $2,000 or more per month; and
  • The student will not be receiving a summer stipend of over $1,000 from their summer employer; and
  • The student certifies that they will be paying two separate rents over the summer; and
  • The student does not expect to receive more than $2,000 of family support over the summer intended to assist with their cost of living; and
  • The student has not received a summer fellowship (in-house or otherwise) for over $2,000. If the student receives a fellowship after the disbursement of this grant, they will be expected on their honor to return the funds to PILA for use the next year.

 

This application is due by March 18 at 5pm EST. Absolutely no late applications will be accepted. 

 

How much will they be? 

It depends on you! The amount of grants will fluctuate depending on how much PILA is able to raise each year. In the past PILA has been able to raise up to $58,000 in one year. 

 

How is the program administered? 

This program will be completely student run, fundraised, and administered. Every year, PILA will divide the money it has raised into two groups: (1) a reserve amount to cover taxes and to be used in future years if PILA raises substantially less money than expected and (2) all the remaining money. Then, the money in group 2 will be divided equally between all eligible students. The Law School Foundation will distribute the PILA+ Grant to students. If there is any money left over (for instance, if a student later receives a fellowship over $2,000 and returns their PILA + grant), that money will roll over to the next year. 

 

How will PILA fund these grants? 

PILA will fund these grants through its fundraising activities. These include both our live and silent auctions, book sales, charity nights etc. In the past, PILA has been required to fundraise for the Law School Foundation to fund the baseline grants. The Law School Foundation has graciously relieved PILA of this obligation. Now, all funds PILA raises will go directly to the PILA+ program. 

 

How can I help? 

You can help by participating in PILA’s fundraising activities! This includes donating and participating in our auctions, buying from the PILA book sales, and participating in our other fundraising initiatives. 

  • If you are interested in donating to the auction, please contact Harper Vincent at hv5ke@virginia.edu 
  • If you would like to donate money directly to PILA, you can mail a check to the following address. Please make checks payable to “Public Interest Law Association.”

Public Interest Law Association

c/o Student Affairs Office, SL 109

University of Virginia School of Law

580 Massie Road

Charlottesville, VA 22903

 

Where can I get more information? 

For more information, please contact PILA Grants Director Morgan Maloney at mvm7rw@virginia.edu or the Public Service Center at publicservice@law.virginia.edu. 

Menu