Each year MAPLA aims to support pre-law advisors in professional development opportunities, including conference attendance. Pre-law Advisors are invited to apply for a 2026 Conference Scholarship to offset cost of attendance. Conference Scholarship requests are need-based and have a maximum limit of up to $1,200.
Scholarship applications are due June 22, 2026.
Due to increasing interest and need, scholarship funds are limited to registration and direct travel expenses (airfare/mileage/parking/etc); hotel accommodations (conference hotel only); and registration fees. Sample budgets may be found online (please note mileage rates reflect current govt. rates).
A couple of notes to assist with planning your budget and travel:
- When to Arrive? The Conference will open on Thursday, September 17 with an early evening Welcome Reception and conference check-in at the Hotel Saint Louis. Conference programming will resume first thing on Friday (9/18) morning at Saint Louis University School of Law. We highly encourage arrival to St. Louis by Thursday (9/17) afternoon/early evening.
- Where to Stay? Hotel Saint Louis, Autograph Collection is the official hotel of the 2026 MAPLA Conference and is conveniently located steps away from Saint Louis University School of Law (SLU) in downtown St. Louis. It is also the location of the conference Welcome Reception and registration on Thursday (9/17). Be sure to follow the booking link for special conference rates. We highly encourage staying in this hotel and booking early! Additional details available on the Conference Hotel page.
- When to Depart? Official conference programming will conclude no later than 3:30 pm on Saturday allowing for late afternoon/evening departures and flights. There will be no formal conference events on Saturday evening, although self-organized and informal networking opportunities are encouraged for those who may wish to stay through Sunday.
- I can only stay two nights, when should I stay? If you are limited to two conference nights, we highly recommend Thursday (9/17) and Friday (9/18) with departure on Saturday (9/19) following conference programming. There will be a luggage room at SLU for those departing from the conference directly.
- How much does it cost to attend the conference? View our sample conference budgets for insights on conference expenses and budgeting.