CATHY CANNY PARALEGAL SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Cathy Canny Paralegal Scholarship was established by the Indiana Paralegal Association, Inc. (IPA) to assist Indiana paralegal students with tuition and textbook costs.

The Scholarship will award 1 individual $2,500.00 towards their tuition and textbook costs, plus a paid 1-year student membership into IPA.  Additionally, 4 awards will be given of a paid 1-year Student Membership into IPA. The Scholarship award will be paid directly to the school the recipient is or will be attending.

This Scholarship award is based on merit and whether the recipient demonstrates a dedication to the program and will likely succeed in becoming a contributing member of the paralegal profession and legal community.

The IPA Scholarship Committee (a subcommittee of the IPA Education Committee) will select the scholarship winner and will give written notification regarding the outcome to all applicants. The IPA Scholarship Committee’s decision is final.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

Applicants must be attending a paralegal program in Indiana, on a part-time or full-time basis, and have completed the equivalent of 9 semester hours in the program.

Applicants must submit unofficial or official transcripts showing the grade point average from the institution the applicant is attending.  Unofficial transcripts must be signed by the applicant’s current advisor.

A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current or recent academic advisor, professor or supervising attorney must accompany the Scholarship application.

Applicants must fully complete the IPA Cathy Canny Paralegal Scholarship Application.  All submissions will be reviewed “as is” with no opportunity to supplement after the submission deadline.

Applications and all related information (resume, transcript, essay, and letter of recommendation) must be received by the IPA Scholarship Committee by April 30, 2024 via email to scholarships@indianaparalegals.org.   IMPORTANT:  If you experience difficulty with the submission of the application and supporting documents, please feel free to contact: Education Director:  Tiffini Wagner at tiffini@indianaparalegals.org or Student Section Chair:  Kelli Jachimiak at kelli@indianaparalegals.org. 

Candidates may be disqualified for either one of the following reasons:

1.      Conviction of a felony as defined by an individual state that does not have felony designations; or

2.      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.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1.      Education and/or employment history

2.      GPA

3.      Letter of recommendation

4.      Essay response

5.      Community Involvement: extracurricular activities, community service and social organization participation

IPA supports paralegal development at many levels, offering student memberships, providing scholarship opportunities for promising applicants, and hosting CLE seminars and luncheons to assist members with cost-effective continuing education opportunities.

IPA’s mission is to establish good fellowship among association members and members of the legal community; to encourage a higher order of ethical and professional attainment; to further education and training among members of the profession; and to cooperate and foster working relationships with bar associations and other professional organizations.