Get Funding

The PDF is designed to help make legal events more affordable for Western Law students by providing some or all of the funding required for conferences, events, seminars, etc.

Attend Events

The PDF helps make professional development events more affordable for Western Law Students. While there are some requirements attached to this funding, it is designed to be flexible and easy to access.

Supported by Admin

The PDF is a program jointly funded by the SLS and Western Law’s administration.

Professional Development Fund (PDF)

How much funding is available?

The PDF may be used to cover the following expenses*:

Transportation, up to a maximum of $100
Accommodation, up to a maximum of $200
Participation or Registration Fees, up to a maximum of $100

Collectively, the total maximum funding that a student may receive is $400 per annum.

*The standard amounts for each category above are $50 each. Funds requested above these standard amounts may require applicants to make representations at an SLS meeting.

How do I apply for funding?

If you are planning on attending such an event, we strongly encourage you to fill out a PDF request form. The link for the PDF request form is available in every SLS Daily, under the header “SLS Information & Forms”. Please note that this form must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the event to receive funding.

To review all of the PDF requirements and conditions please review “Part VII – PDF” of the SLS Fiscal Policy on OWL.

Is there an off-campus event that is relevant to your legal education and/or training that you’d like to attend? We have good news for you: you may be entitled to some funding to help cover the expenses of your attendance!

If you are travelling to an independently organized, off-campus firm tour, career conference, seminar or any other event that will contribute to your legal training, you can submit a Professional Development Fund (PDF) request form to help pay your expenses. The PDF fund is a held jointed contributed to by Western Law’s administration and the SLS. It is designed to provide funding for students taking part in off-campus professional development activities that enhance legal skills, knowledge, and employment opportunities (e.g. firm tours, external conferences, non-academic case competitions).