Policy Regarding Full or Partial Waiver of Fees for OCBA sponsored Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs
The Onondaga County Bar Association is committed to providing Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Programs at an affordable price to its members as well as the bar-at-large. Under our policy any member of the local legal community who has a genuine financial hardship may apply in writing explaining the basis of his/her hardship, and on that basis can receive a full or partial waiver of fees depending on the circumstances. Notice of this policy will be printed in our brochures for CLE programs sponsored by the Onondaga County Bar Association.
Full or Partial Fee Waivers
The following constitutes our guidelines and procedures for determining fee waivers to OCBA sponsored- CLE programs:
- Requests for partial or full waiver of fees to OCBA-sponsored CLE programs shall be made in writing and submitted to the Continuing Legal Education Coordinator no later than ten (10) business days before the date on which the CLE course or program is to be held.
- The written requests shall contain a statement of the economic hardship and the relief sought by the applicant. The applicants will be requested to certify their gross reportable income for the preceding tax year, as well as their estimated income for the current year.
- The Executive Director, in conjunction with the President-Elect, will review waiver requests and determine the amount of waiver to be authorized. The applicant will be informed of OCBA’s decision no later than three (3) days prior to the date on which the CLE program or course is to be given.
Discounted or full scholarships will be based on the hardship and circumstances. The following criteria will be used when reviewing applications to fulfill mandatory CLE requirements. All other requests will be discussed on a case by case basis.
UNEMPLOYED (and spouse unemployed)
Full Scholarship
Income up to $15,000
75% discount
Income $15,000 to $30,000
50% discount
Income above $30,000
no discount
In addition, we give law school students free membership in the OCBA, newly admitted attorneys their first year of membership at a nominal fee of $20.00, and we also have a dues waiver program which permits an attorney experiencing financial hardship to request a waiver or reduction in the annual dues.