Student Bar Association (SBA)

There is a limited availability of reimbursement funds to assist law students in attending and presenting at law-related conferences. Funding is provided on a rolling basis and for as long as funds are available. SBA Conference Funding is based on individual student requests, and is not related to club budgets.

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As of Fall 2023:

For law students interested in attending a conference:

• SBA may provide reimbursement for conference registration fees; and
• SBA may provide reimbursement for additional conference-related expenses, e.g. lodging and travel; 
• in the amount of up to $500 per attending student.
  • SBA does NOT cover food or drink expenses.

For law students interested in presenting at a conference:

• SBA may provide reimbursement for registration fees, up to $200 per student; and
• SBA may provide reimbursement for students who are making presentations (either papers or on a panel) at conferences, or have been invited to participate in a workshop, competition, or seminar, up to $500 per student;
• in the amount of up to $700 per presenting student.

For virtual or local conferences, only registration expenses (a maximum of $200) are fundable.

SBA’s budget cycle is from August through July.

Available Amount of Funding

• The maximum amount of reimbursement per student is $500 per budget year, or $700 for presenters, subject to availability of funds and based on the guidelines above.
• If a student received less than the allotted budget year amount, they may apply for the balance of their allotted funds for an additional conference, based on maximum amounts stated above.

Procedure to Apply and Receive Funds
Submit a “Request For Conference Funds” 

• If you wish to provide additional documentation, please email the documentation to law-sba@buffalo.edu, with the subject “Conference Funding”

Within five (5) days of receiving a completed request form, SBA leadership will furnish applicants with an email detailing our decision and, if applicable, a reimbursement award.

Submission MUST be received 1 month prior to the conference. 

• Late applications are NOT accepted.
• Conference must take place during that SBA fiscal year (August to July).

No penalty will be imposed if a student wishes to withdraw a request for funding if they decide not to attend the conference.

IMPORTANT: Due to budget procedures, a set amount in SBA’s budget has been designated for conference travel/attendance. Thus, based on limited funding available, funds will be granted on a first-come first-serve basis. Once the funds are depleted, SBA will no longer accept applications.

Reimbursement is issued upon return from conference once all receipts and proof of attendance are submitted.

• Upon return, you must submit original receipts, proof of payment, and proof of attendance (e.g. copy of the conference program or name tag)
• Documentation may be submitted by email to law-sba@buffalo.edu, or in-person to O’Brian 207 during office hours.
• Only expenses up to the amount approved for funding will be eligible for reimbursement.
• Documentation for reimbursement MUST be submitted no later than 30 days after your return from the conference. Failure to submit within that 30-day period will result forfeiture of offered funding.
• Funding will not be provided before the conference under any circumstances.

Please let the Student Bar Association know if you have any questions at law-sba@buffalo.edu.