College of Law > Academics > Centers, Institutes & Initiatives > Center for Public Interest Law > Financial Support

Financial Support

Financial considerations should not be an obstacle for law students and graduates seeking public interest work. The College of Law supports students and alumni who choose lower paying jobs in the nonprofit fields with several types of financial assistance.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

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.

Summer scholarships

Summer jobs help law students gain practical experience and get their foot in the door at public interest organizations. Unfortunately, law students dont get paying summer jobs anymore at least not in the public sector. We at DePaul are trying to make sure that every student who wants to do public interest work can do so for at least one summer without having to take a second job or a larger loan.

The Center for Public Interest Law, in conjunction with the Public Interest Law Association, administers multiple summer funding opportunities for students through a unified application process during the beginning of the spring semester.

Summer stipend applications are available at the end of January and due in mid-March. Applicants will be evaluated by a committee of faculty and staff. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law. Participation in Center for Public Interest Law and Public Interest Law Association activities is also considered.

CPIL depends on the generosity of our friends and alumni to make these opportunities possible for students. To make a financial contribution to Summer Scholarships, click here and enter CPIL Summer Scholarships in the Other Funds section of the webpage.​