Legal Studies for Aboriginal People Program

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	Program Overview
	Objectives
	Activities
	Who is eligible?
	How to apply *
	Contact Information
	Pre-Law Program (May-July)
	Law Program

Overview

The Legal Studies for Aboriginal People (LSAP) program is a bursary program designed to financially assist Canadian Métis and Non-Status Indian students who wish to pursue their studies in law in a Canadian institution.

Objectives

To promote equitable representation of Aboriginal people in the legal profession by providing financial assistance to those enrolled in a pre-law program or a law program in Canada.

Activities

Financial assistance is provided to eligible students to offset some of the costs of attending a Canadian Law School in order to obtain a law degree (LLB) over a regular period of three years. Financial assistance may also be provided to eligible students who have received a conditional acceptance and are enrolled in a pre-law program.

Who is eligible?

To be considered for a bursary under the LSAP Program, an applicant must:

• Be Métis or Non-Status Indian of Canadian citizenship, living in Canada, who has applied to a Canadian law school;
• Attest to Métis or Non-Status Indian ancestry by signing the declaration in the application form;
• Demonstrate financial need by providing financial information on income or other assistance received and expenses as required in the application form; and,
• Demonstrate that they possess the ability to succeed in law school by providing the necessary documentation as identified in the application.

How to Apply

Please note that the forms should not be downloaded in the HTML format. For better results, please use the pdf format. Once completed, the forms cannot be saved.

Pre-Law Program with Credit (May-July)

You must complete the Application Form ( HTML / PDF ) and submit it along with all the required documentation by May 15. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The application form completed in its entirety and signed
• A copy of an official letter of offer to the pre-law program

You will need to apply separately for the law program (September-April). We suggest that you apply simultaneously to both programs.

Law Program (September – April)

You must complete the Application Form ( HTML / PDF) and submit it along with all the required documentation by June 15. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION

• The application form completed in its entirety and signed;
• A copy of an official letter of offer to a law program
• Two appraisals (see forms) from individuals who are associated with the last academic or training institution in which you were enrolled or, if you did not attend an educational institution in the previous three years, then from someone who knows your work or studies.  Provide a copy of the attached Appraisal form (HTML / PDF ) to both of your appraisers who are to complete and submit them to the Department of Justice by the deadline.  Please note, it is your responsibility to ensure that the appraisers submit the forms to the Department before the June 15 deadline;
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary studies (no copies will be accepted) ;
• An essay. It is important to note that each element required in the essay will be considered.
• First year law school applicants are required to submit an essay (approximately 750 words in length) describing your reasons for pursuing legal studies, your career goals, significant accomplishments, extra-curricular/work activities and special challenges.
• Second and third year law school applicants are required to submit a short essay (approximately 750 words in length) describing your experiences in the previous academic year, including challenges faced, special accomplishments, extracurricular activities or other experiences, as well as career goals.

Contact Information

Administrator
The Legal Studies for Aboriginal People Program
Department of Justice Canada
Programs Branch
284 Wellington Street, 6 th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8

Telephone: 1-888-606-5111 (Local calls:  613-941-0388)
E-mail: LSAP08@justice.gc.ca