Today's law graduates often face staggering amounts of debt when they graduate. Because their salaries are generally lower than those of attorneys entering the private sector, student loan obligations can be especially burdensome for public interest lawyers. The Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) eases the financial burdens of recent graduates, allowing more of them to enter and remain in the nonprofit sector. LRAP is a loan forgiveness program that is funded by student fees and private donations. LRAP awards are forgivable loans and must be used to repay law school educational debt. LRAP recipients who meet all program requirements have their loans forgiven at the conclusion of their loan term.
Who is eligible?
Any graduate of the College of Law who works in a law-related public interest job may apply for an LRAP award and recipients are chosen by a committee comprised of faculty, staff, students and alumni. In making its selections, the LRAP Committee gives priority to candidates who demonstrate the most significant commitment to public interest work as well as the greatest financial need. In particular, the Committee seeks to fund applicants who provide legal services to underserved, low-income or disadvantaged individuals or groups.
New application requirement: Please note the LRAP committee has added a salary cap for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program. To qualify and remain eligible for LRAP, the graduate must earn a total salary of less than $75,000.
How to Apply
The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is paused during 2023.
Please contact Shaye Loughlin at sloughli@depaul.edu with any questions.
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LRAP applications should be submitted to the CPIL office and must be postmarked by the date that taxes are due for the calendar year. See below for the application form, a checklist of all application materials and a statement that describes the program's requirements and guiding principles.
Application Form (2022)
Application Checklist
Requirements and Guiding Principles
Other Resources
Access Group: Budget Planning Tools (including online, interactive budget calculators)
AnnualCreditReport.com offers free copy of credit reports every 12 months from three national credit bureaus
AskHeatherJarvis.com offers educational resources and training for student loan borrowers
Equal Justice Works
404: Student Debt Relief is a comprehensive source of information about student loans
FinAid! includes online calculators available to calculate monthly student loan payments
Income Based Repayment & Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a website that offers independent information on federal student loan payment and forgiveness programs
Loan Consolidation Loan forgiveness for public service employment is available for Federal Direct loans ONLY.
National Student Loan Data System is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid
Schrag, Philip G., Federal Student Loan Repayment Assistance for Public Interest Lawyers and Other Employees of Governments and Nonprofit Organizations, HOFSTRA LAW REVIEW, VOL. 36, FALL 2007
Student Loan Borrower Assistance is the National Consumer Law Center's resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers.
U.S. Department of Education