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Student Legal Services Inc

EIN 31-1682787 · Perrysburg, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Student Legal Services Inc. provides legal advice education representation and referral services to university students in an efficient and high quality manner in order to promote student welfare and success. By helping higher education institutions attract retain and graduate students prepared with a greater understanding of their rights and responsibilities Student Legal Services Inc. contributes to the greater good of society.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
35.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
43
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$162,048, managing director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Student Legal Services provided preventative legal education to population of undergraduate graduate and professional students at the Columbus Ohio campus of The Ohio State University approximately 60,000 students. Legal workshops written and electronic legal information law-related presentations and other similar outreach programming was provided at approx. 120 events throughout the academic calendar. Legal information was primarily centered on assisting students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities in the areas of misdemeanor crimes landlord-tenant dispute resolution and consumer protection. Individual one to one counsel and representation was provided to 5,023 students on specific legal matters related to the individualized student need. Students were provided access to highly qualified experienced and properly licensed attorneys throughout the year.
  2. $407,917 spent. Student Legal Services provided preventative legal education to population of undergraduate graduate and professional students at the Kent Ohio campus of Kent State University approximately 26,500 students. Legal workshops written and electronic legal information law-related presentations and other similar outreach programming was provided at 50 events throughout the academic calendar. Legal information was primarily centered on assisting students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities in the areas of misdemeanor crimes landlord-tenant dispute resolution and consumer protection. Individual one to one counsel and representation was provided to 659 students on specific legal matters related to the individualized student need. Students were provided access to highly qualified experienced and properly licensed attorneys throughout the year.
  3. $242,770 spent. Student Legal Services provided preventative legal education to population of undergraduate graduate and professional students at the Dayton Ohio campus of Wright State University approximately 11,000 students. Legal workshops written and electronic legal information law-related presentations and other similar outreach programming was provided at 105 events throughout the academic calendar. Legal information was primarily centered on assisting students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities in the areas of misdemeanor crimes landlord-tenant dispute resolution and consumer protection. Individual one to one counsel and representation was provided to 996 students on specific legal matters related to the individualized student need. Students were provided access to highly qualified experienced and properly licensed attorneys throughout the year.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Legal Services Corporation (Washington, DC), EIN 52-1039060. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.