The Attorney Grant Program accepts applicants with income greater than 125% and less than 300% of the federal minimum poverty level. Please review the income chart below to determine if you qualify for this program. If your income exceeds the maximum amount for your family size, you are not eligible to apply. If your income level is below the minimum amount for your family size, you are not eligible to apply for the Attorney Grant. Proof of income is required during the application process.
In addition to income, eligibility is based on residency and special education status. If you are a resident of Connecticut or Westchester County, New York, you may be eligible to apply. If your child has a current IEP (Individualized Education Plan), you may be eligible for the Attorney Grant. The Grants Programs are available to residents of Connecticut or Westchester County, New York ONLY. Proof of residency and a current Individualized Education Program are required during the application process.
Families sometimes need legal support because they have reached an impasse with their school about their student’s education.
The Attorney Grant Program provides a one-time grant of $6000 for a qualified special education attorney. Families must:
1. Live in Connecticut or Westchester County, New York
2. Student must have a current IEP
3. Family income meets guidelines
If you meet the income, residency, and special education requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Attorney Grant Programs. To complete a prescreen to determine if you are eligible, click the button below. Do not submit a prescreen if you do not meet ALL THREE of the requirements.
If you are eligible to apply, you will receive a link to the application immediately upon submission and through email after completing the prescreen. Complete the application through the link and attach the required documents, including proof of income, current IEP and Educational Evaluation. No applications will be accepted without these documents. Any applications submitted without documentation and without prior admin approval will be deleted. The completed application and documentation are due by the 15th of each month for both programs.
If the completed application including documents is accepted for review, an interview is required. S.E.L.F. will contact the applicant to arrange the interview. No applications without an interview will be considered; completing an interview does not guarantee that the application will be approved. All interviews must be completed by the 22nd of each month.
S.E.L.F. reviews applications a monthly basis through the academic year
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the end o the month in which they apply.
Watch How to Apply for a Grant
Attorneys must meet the following requirements: practice special education or disability rights law for 7 years or more, practice special education law as a majority of their practice, and be affiliated with the American Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, or New York Bar Association, and be licensed to practice law in Connecticut or New York.
This list represents attorneys in New York and Connecticut who have previously accepted grants from S.E.L.F. on behalf of clients and should not be construed as an endorsement by Special Education Legal Fund or any of its representatives of any of the attorneys whose names are included on this list.
Wealthspire Advisors is an independent registered investment adviser and subsidiary of NFP Corp, currently overseeing approximately $29.3 billion in Assets Under Management* and firmly committed to serving clients in a fiduciary capacity. Though our size means we have a variety of clients, we work most extensively with high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and families. We lead with planning that is tailored to meet the goals and needs of our clients, we invest with a long-term approach that focuses on a disciplined strategy and avoids emotional decision-making, and we aim to simplify lives by coordinating seamlessly with outside advisors and building our client teams around a collaborative structure.
* Reflects combined data as of 12/31/2024 for Wealthspire Advisors LLC and its subsidiaries.
