Message from the Executive Director- February 2013

Dear PLSS Members & Friends:

First things first- the 2013 PLSS Summer Grant Application has officially been finalized!! (Took us long enough, right?) Download the complete application here: 2013 PLSS Grant Application. And don’t forget: the application dead line is March 27th, 2013! (To learn more about the grant requirements, check out our (very detailed) powerpoint here: PLSS Grant Requirements. )

Also, as the application deadline looms ever closer, we’ve received a barrage of emails from members with (mostly) legitimate questions and concerns. In an attempt to answer these questions efficiently, we’ve compiled a list of those most frequently asked, and those which we anticipate will be asked after you skim the application. Take a few minutes to glance through the following:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Can I still apply for the grant if I didn’t attend one of the mandatory information sessions at the beginning of the semester?

Shame on you! But yes, you can. Failure to attend an information session does not disqualify you from receiving the grant. The information sessions were intended to familiarize students with the grant requirements and to give pointers on how to become a more competitive applicant. However, if you did not attend one of the information sessions, all necessary information regarding the grant and its requirements can be found on our website: http://blogs.mcgeorge.edu/plss/summer-grants/. If you have additional questions not addressed by the above link, please stop by our Question & Answers Session on March 5^th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.

2. What if my internship is out of the state/country?

We don’t care if your summer internship is in Tahoe or Timbuktu. As long as your employer is considered “public interest,” it qualifies. (Learn more about what is considered public interest law here: http://blogs.mcgeorge.edu/plss/about/what-is-public-interest-law/.) For questions about whether a specific employer qualifies, please stop by our Question & Answers Session on March 5^th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.

3. This year’s Auction is now after the application is due. How am I supposed to complete my 7 hours before the application due date?

You’re not. (Come on, we don’t expect you to be superhuman.) Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee based upon the assumption that all applicants will complete the mandatory volunteer hour requirement by April 26^th. On or before April 5, 2013, the committee will announce grant awards; however, these awards are contingent upon the awardees completion and submission of his or her volunteer hours by April 26^th. (A short description of the applicant’s volunteer hours should be submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Foust, at l_foust@u.pacific.edu.) Applicants who fail to complete the 7 hour requirement, or who fail to submit verification of same to the Volunteer Coordinator, will not receive the grant award.

(Important Note: There will inevitably be students who are initially chosen to receive the grant but who fail to complete the volunteer hour requirement, or who cannot accept the grant for other reasons. When this happens, the selection committee reallocates the remaining grant funds to the next qualified applicant on their list. In other words, if you are notified on April 5^th that you didn’t receive a grant, there is a possibility you may still end up receiving one, contingent upon your completion of the volunteer hour requirement. Last year, we were able to offer 4 additional applicants the grant after they were initially denied, in part because 1 or more awardees rejected the grant, and in part because we received additional last-minute funding. Thus, we strongly suggest that you complete 7 volunteer hours toward the PLSS Auction, regardless of whether you are notified on April 5^th that you received the grant.)

4. What if my summer internship is only part-time?

That’s fine. The number of hours you plan to work only impacts the amount of your total grant award. Obviously, applicants who plan to work full-time will receive a larger grant award. However, part-time applicants are encouraged to apply and, if selected, will receive funding commiserate with the number of hours they intend to work.

5. How do I pay dues and how much are they?

Dues are $5 for the entire year and can be paid in two ways: (1) Students may contact the PLSS Treasurer, Chris Wu, and arrange to pay dues directly to him; or (2) Students may pay dues in the business office and deliver their receipt to PLSS’s mail box (upstairs in the Student Center, next to the SBA office). Keep in mind- to be eligible to receive the PLSS Summer Grant, applicants must pay dues by the application due date, March 27^th.

Have additional questions?

We encourage you to drop by our Question & Answers Session on March 5^th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in Classroom G. Members of the PLSS Executive Board will be on hand to answer queries, give advice, review personal statements, hand out hard copies of the solicitation letter, pick-up donations, and just generally make ourselves useful. Make sure to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!