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• tuition information
• financial aid
• jec scholarships for nm state court employees
• jec scholarships for nm municipal court employees
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New Mexico Justice System Interpreter Resource Partnership

JEC Scholarships for
New Mexico State Court Employees

The New Mexico Center for Language Access (NMCLA) is a collaborative project of the New Mexico Justice System Interpreter Resource Partnership. NMCLA offers to certificate tracks for those interested in providing language access to limited English-proficient individuals across the justice system. These are Justice System Interpreting and Justice System Language Access Specialist*. The Judicial Education Center is providing funding for a limited number of scholarships in FY 2010 for current bilingual employees of the New Mexico Judiciary who are accepted into the Justice System Language Access Specialist* Certificate Program at NMCLA. As a result of this training, a court employee will have a strong ethical and professional foundation that will enable them to use their bilingual abilities to enhance language access within their court.

Who is eligible for these scholarships?

Current employees in good standing of the New Mexico Judiciary, who are bilingual and approved for admission to the Language Access Specialist* Track of NMCLA according to NMCLA's standard screening criteria.

What is the scholarship application process?

1. Complete NMCLA application process.
2. Complete NMCLA interview and be approved for admission.
3. Upon approval for admission, complete and submit scholarship application.
4. Awardees will be notified upon the decision of the Scholarship Committee.
5. A copy of the scholarship application and award letter will be sent to the Judicial Education Center.

What are the obligations of the scholarship recipient?

If you are awarded a JEC Language Access Specialist* Scholarship, you will be asked to sign an agreement and commit to the following:

1. Willingness to accept assignments, which require you to use your bilingual abilities, even if these assignments are outside of your regularly assigned work duties.
2. Agreement to repay the scholarship in full, if you do not successfully complete the NMCLA Language Access Specialist* Certification Program.
3. Agreement to remain employed by the New Mexico Judiciary for a period of one year following completion of the Certificate Program.

How will the scholarship awards be determined?

The Scholarship Committee will be comprised of the Arthur Pepin, AOC Director or his designee; Karen Janes, Director of the Magistrate Court Division or her designee; Weldon Neff, Chair of the NM Court Interpreter Advisory Committee and CEO of the Eleventh Judicial District Court; and Pamela Sánchez, Statewide Program Manager of Court Interpreter & Jury Services.

Criteria for making scholarship awards will include, but not be limited to:

1. Language access needs in the court or service area where the applicant is employed
2. Recommendations of immediate supervisor and court executive officer or chief clerk.

How will the funds be paid?

Funds will be transferred from JEC upon notification of the scholarship award to the University of New Mexico when the scholarship awardee registers for NMCLA classes. Funds will not be provided directly to the recipient.

Awardees may pay the remaining $500 + 30 (registration fee) upfront or as follows:

Please not that JEC Scholarship awardees cannot register online. To register, please call Wendy Brunty: 505-925-9542

Download application form

* previously called Bilingual Communication