Guaranteed Summer Funding (GSF)

What if I cannot make or miss one of SJI’s mandatory 1L lunch programs?
If you are not present for the SJI mandatory 1L programming, you jeopardize your eligibility to receive GSF. If you miss a session, you must attend a make-up session. If you miss a make-up session, then you must email [email protected] for make-up instructions. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they have fulfilled the requirements of GSF.

How do I register for GSF on LawNet?
Visit LawNet and click on the Funding Registration tab and follow the prompts on the website. Watch this short video presentation for step-by-step instructions. 

Is there anything I need to do after I have accepted an offer of employment to receive GSF?
Yes. Update your LawNet profile with correct supervisor and employment information, fill out the FAFSA (if you are a permanent U.S. resident or citizen), complete the webinars, and fill out the appropriate hiring paperwork sent by Law School Human Resources.

What if I cannot find my employer on LawNet?
Employers who qualify for GSF are listed in the Public Interest Database on LawNet. If you do not see your employer listed there, fill out an Organization Request Form and submit it to [email protected] for approval.

Can someone help me find a summer job and look over my résumé before I send out my summer applications?
Yes. Submit your résumé and cover letter for review through the 1L Public Interest Résumé Portal, and use Symplicity to set up an appointment with an SJI advisor.

Is there anything I need to do after completing my summer internship?
Yes. Fill out the Summer Evaluation form on Symplicity describing your summer experiences.

Should I fill out the 2020–2021 FAFSA even if I don’t have any loans?
Yes. You may be eligible for work-study funding even if you do not borrow loans. Most Columbia students who participate in GSF receive federal work-study funds as part/all of their summer funding.

Why should I fill out the 2020–2021 FAFSA?
Each year, a substantial portion of the funding for the GSF Program is provided through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program. Completing the FAFSA allows the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for FWS. The Law School strongly encourages all student interns who are U.S. Citizens or eligible non-residents to file a 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the federal government. Once processed, the Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA data electronically.

If I am not a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-resident, do I still need to submit the FAFSA?
No. Students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-residents do not need to fill out the FAFSA.

Will participating in GSF impact my financial aid package and loans for next year?
Possibly. Federal regulations require that summer FWS funds be included as part of a student’s academic year resources. Your summer 2020 FWS allocation will be reflected in your award package for the upcoming academic year. As such, any summer FWS earnings will reduce your eligibility for educational student loans by the same amount. However, summer FWS awards will typically only impact students who plan to borrow the maximum educational loans for the academic year. In the event that a borrower’s eligibility for student loans is affected by GSF, the Financial Aid Office will work with each student individually to review their particular situation. In certain cases, students may be able to adjust their academic year budget to allow for additional borrowing to offset the FWS earnings (see below for LRAP considerations). If you are concerned about the impact of FWS on your 2020-21 loan borrowing, please contact the Financial Aid Office during the spring semester. The Financial Aid staff will be happy to review your situation and counsel you accordingly.

If my financial aid situation is reviewed and federal regulations allow the Financial Aid Office staff to adjust my academic year budget for additional borrowing to offset part/all of the FWS earnings, will this budget adjustment impact the educational loans covered by LRAP?
No. A budget adjustment approved by the Financial Aid Office to strictly offset a student’s FWS earnings for the GSF Program will not impact the Columbia Law School policy regarding eligible educational loan debt covered by LRAP.

Can I receive an advance for housing/travel needs?
No, but if you are concerned with your summer financial situation, we encourage you to speak with the Financial Aid Office staff before the end of the spring term. Social Justice Initiatives is able to offer some assistance with housing and relocation for 2L students who are working their second summer in public interest or public service. Contact Natalie Stephenson, Assistant Director of Operations, with any questions.

Columbia Law School provides funding for 1L and 2L students who meet the requirements of the GSF program to work full-time in public service internships over the summer. Students must adhere to all of the deadlines and meet the requirements of the GSF program in order to receive funding.

Is there a minimum requirement of weeks I must work in order to receive GSF?
Yes, 1L GSF recipients must work full-time (40 hours/week) for eight weeks to receive full funding (before taxes), and 2L GSF recipients must work full-time for 10 weeks to receive full funding (before taxes).

Why do I have to take a break?
As a GSF recipient, you will be an hourly employee of Columbia University. A regular workday generally is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Your break doesn’t necessarily need to be taken when you eat lunch, but you must take an hour-long break at some point. 

Will I be paid for hours spent at office social and networking events?
No. If you are not working, hours spent at social and networking events should not be recorded on timesheets. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of all opportunities provided by their summer employer. However, students will receive compensation only for hours worked.

Will I be compensated for extra hours I spend at my summer placement if I work more than 40 hours per week?
When you receive each work assignment, you should confirm with your supervisor the time expected to complete the assignment. In the event that you are expected to work in excess of the 40 hours/week requirement, your supervisor must seek prior approval for overtime compensation. Provided that happens, you will be paid for actual time worked. Please note that there may be a delay in receiving overtime compensation.

How do I request overtime hours?
Your supervisor must email [email protected] as soon as it is clear that the work assignment will require more than 40 hours of work that week. The supervisor will be asked to provide the information necessary to justify the additional hours.

Who approves my overtime hours?
Your supervisor will receive a response from HR approving or denying overtime requests.

If I work more than 40 hours per week, can I count those excess hours toward my Columbia pro bono requirement?
No. Students who work in excess of 40 hours per week will not receive pro bono credit for the extra time worked. Columbia pro bono credit accrues only for service in a week that you are not paid. You can receive pro bono credit for time worked beyond the required 8 or 10 weeks (see “General Questions”).

How will I receive my funding?
All GSF recipients are hourly employees of Columbia University. You will receive payment on a biweekly basis for hours worked. 

In order to receive your paycheck, you must submit an online times heet, approved by your supervisor, by the due date for each period. Your paycheck may be delayed if an incomplete or incorrect time sheet is submitted.

Can I get paid through direct deposit?
Columbia University offers the convenience of having paychecks directly deposited into an employee bank account. You can sign up for direct deposit safely and securely at my.columbia.edu after receiving your first check. Note that direct deposit is not available for your first paycheck, so your information on the GSF Summer Contact Form must be accurate and updated as needed.

How do I submit my timesheets?
Timesheets must be completed online via NextGen. Your supervisor must approve all timesheets.

How do I submit overtime hours?
If your overtime hours have been approved by Law School HR, record any hours worked above 40 hours each week and submit the timesheet as you would regularly via NextGen.

Who approves my timesheets?
Your supervisor must approve your timesheets online via NextGen.

When should I expect to receive my first payment?
Refer to the payment schedule provided by HR to map out when you will receive your first payment. If your timesheets are submitted on time, you should be paid biweekly after receiving your first paycheck.

Will taxes be deducted from my paycheck?
Yes. Your funding through GSF is treated as taxable earnings and reported to the IRS by the university.

As a 1L, I thought I would receive $6,720 for my eight-week internship, so why was I paid less than that amount? As a 2L, I thought I would receive $8,400 for my 10-week internship, so why was I paid less than that amount?
As an hourly Columbia employee, you are paid for actual hours worked. In order for a 1L to receive $6,720, they must work 40 hours a week for eight weeks; a 2L must work 40 hours a week for ten weeks in order to receive $8,400. You will be paid less if you work less than 40 hours a week due to sickness, office closings, or holidays (including federal holidays).

Students should speak with their supervisors to schedule time to make up lost days.

Also, as mentioned above, your summer earnings will be taxed.

What do I do if I have trouble completing the timesheet or I believe my paycheck is incorrect?
You should email [email protected].

How can I make sure I receive funding in a timely fashion?
Enroll in the university’s payroll direct deposit and submit timesheets every two weeks by the given deadlines. [NOTE: This is a different direct deposit process than the university’s student account direct deposit system.]

How do I enroll in payroll direct deposit?
You will receive instructions from Law School HR by email about how to enroll in payroll direct deposit.

What happens if I do not enroll in the payroll direct deposit?
We strongly suggest that all students enroll in direct deposit. It is the fastest, most efficient way to receive payments. If you are unable to enroll, your check will be mailed to the address listed in you response to the GSF Summer Contact Form.

Is there an online system where I can view my paycheck?
You can view your paystub by logging in with your UNI at my.columbia.edu. Click on the “Faculty and Staff” tab to find a link to “View My Paycheck.”

Can I divide my time between two employers and still receive funding?
Yes. Students may receive GSF while splitting a summer between two public interest employers (although this is not a recommended practice).

Under very limited circumstances and with prior approval, students may be able to receive GSF if they work for a private sector employer for fewer than 10 days during their summer.

Students considering splitting their summers must request approval in advance from Nadine Mompremier, Assistant Director of Pro Bono and Summer Programs, and are encouraged to read How to Decide Whether to Split Your Summer.    

What employers qualify for GSF?

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public interest law organizations
• Nonprofit public interest law organizations within their jurisdictions
• Federal, state, municipal, international, and multinational government agencies
• Judicial internships granting no academic credit
• International criminal courts
• Some private public interest law firms

International human rights work is funded by the Human Rights Internship Program (HRIP), which has different rules and requirements.

What employers do not qualify for GSF?

• Internships consisting solely of non-law-related policy or administrative work, research for a professor, or law firm work that does not meet GSF requirements
• Religious organizations or membership agencies (unless their work is for the benefit of the general public)
• Internships with a domestic political campaign or a political party
• Judicial internships for academic credit
• Research for a professor
• Non-law-related policy work
• Some private public interest law firms

Can I get additional funding?
Yes. Some employers, foundations, and other funders offer additional support for summer work. Students can apply for funding from their host employer or from outside sources. See the Other Summer Funding Opportunities page for more information.

When is the Early Interview Program (EIP)? Will that affect my GSF if I choose to participate?
Students planning to participate in EIP should plan their internships accordingly. GSF requirements (eight weeks of work for 1Ls and 10 weeks of work for 2Ls) should be completed in late July prior to EIP; otherwise, students can make arrangements with their placement.

What if I plan to apply for Law Review?
Students should arrange their summer so that they are able to complete at least eight weeks in a placement organization before returning to school in mid-to-late July for Law Review Orientation.

Will my work at an organization this summer count for the New York State Pro Bono Requirement?
Your GSF-funded work will fulfill the 50-Hour Rule pro bono requirement provided it otherwise qualifies under the New York State Rule. The rule requires completion of 50 hours of qualifying pro bono work prior to filing for bar admission. For most students, the work you do during your GSF-funded summer will qualify for the New York 50-hour rule, but not for the Columbia Law School requirement (which mandates that the work must be uncompensated).

If you have any questions about whether your work is likely to qualify under the New York rule, contact [email protected] or visit the Court's website to read the full New York rule and FAQs.

Do I need to collect any paperwork from my employer during the summer to get credit for the New York State Pro Bono requirement?
As soon as you have completed your placement, you should complete a Form Affidavit of Compliance, which includes a signature from your supervising attorney (who must be admitted in the jurisdiction where the work is being done). You must keep this original form in your files until you submit it along with your New York State Bar paperwork. While you should scan a copy in case you misplace the original, originals are required for your bar application.

If I stay longer at my GSF placement and am not paid, do I need to collect any paperwork from my employer to get pro bono credit for the Columbia pro bono requirement?
Yes. You must complete an exit questionnaire and have your supervisor complete a supervisor's report, but only record the hours beyond the weeks you were funded through GSF. 

The exit questionnaire and supervisor’s report are on LawNet. Under the SJI section of “My Services,” click on “Pro Bono Status.” Click on “Fill Out Exit Questionnaire” to complete the exit questionnaire electronically. Once you have successfully completed your exit questionnaire, you will receive a prompt to send a supervisor’s report to your supervisor for completion. 

You may also request a supervisor’s report by clicking on the “Action” button next to the relevant placement on your Pro Bono Status page and selecting “Request Supervisor’s Report.” Once your supervisor completes the supervisor’s report, SJI will approve your hours and your profile will automatically be updated on LawNet.

Pro bono hours will not be credited until both mandatory forms (exit questionnaire and supervisor’s report) have been submitted and approved by SJI. Both the exit questionnaire and supervisor’s report must be submitted within 30 days of project completion, whether for mandatory or voluntary credit.