SPIF Funding Caps

In order to ensure that the resources available for SPIF are distributed equitably among all SPIF recipients, a funding cap is used in the awarding process. The 2013 funding cap for 1Ls is $6,500 and the funding cap for 2Ls and SJDs is $8,000. It is important to remember that the SPIF program is need-based, even though students not receiving academic year financial aid are eligible.

The funding cap applies to all of your SPIF eligible position(s) regardless of whether or not you are receiving SPIF for that position. The entire amount provided for the summer by any SPIF eligible employer(s) will be applied against the SPIF cap before the amount of SPIF funds to be awarded is determined.* Earnings from a non-SPIF eligible job will have no effect on your SPIF award, and we will not reduce your SPIF eligibility. This may be a good way to reduce your borrowing for the next academic year or to help cover your summer living expenses. Please refer to the SPIF Award Scenarios page for examples of how the funding cap works in a variety of different awarding situations.

* If you are splitting your summer between two SPIF eligible positions, the funding cap applies to both of those positions and we will take a paying position into account before a non-paying position. For example, during the summer of 2013, if you are a 1L spending 4 weeks at a non-paying SPIF eligible position and 4 weeks at a SPIF eligible position for which you received $1,000/week in wages, you will be eligible for a $2,500 SPIF award in addition to your $4,000 in employer-paid wages.