Financial Hardship Policy

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Minimum Competence CLE offers fee waivers so that cost is not a barrier to required continuing legal education. New Jersey requires accredited providers to maintain a financial-hardship policy for paid courses; this is ours.

Who is eligible

Any attorney who would experience genuine financial hardship in paying a course fee may apply. Typical circumstances include unemployment or underemployment, public- interest or legal-services practice, solo practice with limited means, leave for medical or family reasons, or other good-faith hardship.

How to apply

Email andrew@leahey.org with the course you wish to take and a brief description of your circumstances. You need not submit financial documentation up front; we may ask for limited additional information. Applications are kept confidential.

What is waived

An approved application results in a full or partial fee waiver at no cost to you. A waiver does not change the course requirements — you complete the same modules, participation checks, and evaluation, and receive the same certificate.

Decisions & non-discrimination

We aim to decide within a few business days. Awards are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Records

We keep the counts and basic records of hardship awards needed for our provider reporting, separate from your course completion record.