Loan forgiveness Programs
The Higher Education Reauthorization and College Opportunity Act of 2008 established the following loan forgiveness and repayment programs that benefit public interest lawyers:
The John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act
Providing $10,000 per year in exchange for a one time renewable three-year commitment for state and local prosecutors and public defenders. Read more about the program at www.equaljusticeworks.org.
District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program
District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program (DALF) awards are being offered to retain experienced attorneys employed as District Attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys or Indigent Legal Services Attorneys throughout New York State. Read more about the program at www.hesc.ny.gov.
Perkins Loan Cancellation for Public Service
Providing partial loan cancellation for persons in specified public service jobs including federal public defenders. Read more about the program at www.acs-education.com.
American Bar Association – State Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
There are twenty-four statewide loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) providing assistance in Arizona, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York (two programs), North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. Kansas has an LRAP that operates in 50 of the state’s 105 counties. Read more about the program at www.americanbar.org.