The Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is a critical part of our strategy in supporting the legal aid providers who deliver assistance to DC’s residents who are low-income. We support organizations through our grants and provide training and technical assistance to improve the quality and efficiency of legal services – but LRAP is unique because it keeps skilled, dedicated public interest lawyers in the field. Because of their qualifying work with eligible service providers, those who work in the District are able to receive financial assistance in paying down their student debt.
Recipients often tell us how the LRAP program – which can award up to $12,000 a year to each applicant – has impacted their careers. “This program is a huge incentive for me to continue my work,” said a new recipient this year. “It is honestly such a wonderful gift.” Lawyers are able to keep helping the clients who need them most, while still making progress towards their own financial needs of paying off debt or qualifying for forgiveness under federal programs. In fact, this year, our first LRAP recipient received total loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program!
In addition to benefitting individual lawyers, LRAP also positively impacts eligible employers and our community as a whole. Many organizations report that they can use their participation in LRAP as a recruiting tool, bringing well-qualified lawyers into the District and keeping them here.
The 2020 LRAP Program is now accepting applications for both organizations who seek to participate in the program and individuals who currently work for eligible organizations. See a full description of the program and get the application on our website.
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