Until now, growing law school tuition along with an increasing gap between private and public interest salaries had made it difficult for graduates to take public interest jobs and still pay off their loans. In 2007, recognizing the critical role and shrinking supply of public interest attorneys, the federal College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) was passed, which provides substantial assistance for graduates with high debt and low pay, and even more significant assistance for those in public interest and government.

Prior to enactment of the CCRAA, a number of smaller programs had been put in place by law schools, bar associations, certain employers and others, to help graduates representing underserved communities to meet their loan payments. Brooklyn Law School was in the forefront of this movement, and eligible graduates may find its LRAP very helpful.

Each program has its own assistance schema and eligibility criteria, and students must examine them carefully to determine if and how they may benefit. It is especially important to make sure you have the most recent information about any program in which you are interested, because many (if not most) programs will change to better complement the CCRAA.

Newer programs such as the New York State Bar’s SLAPI program may currently offer limited assistance, but their evolution to more robust programs is anticipated. Students are therefore urged not only to inform themselves about the various programs available when they graduate, but also to review these programs at least once a year thereafter.

Because they are likely to be of the most assistance to Brooklyn Law School graduates, students should make it a priority to educate themselves about the CCRA and the Brooklyn Law School LRAP program. Basic information is provided below.

College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)
Brooklyn Law School LRAP
Brooklyn Law School Criminal Justice Post-Graduate Fellowship
HESC District Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program
NYSBA Student Loan Assistance for the Public Interest (SLAPI)
Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs
Loan Repayment Programs within Federal Government Agencies
Pending Federal Legislation
Legal Services, Legal Aid, and Select Non-Profit Employment
Post Graduate Fellowships
Other Options

Brooklyn Law School LRAP
The Brooklyn Law School LRAP provides loan repayment assistance to qualified graduates for up to five years. This assistance comes in the form of semi-annual loans from BLS, which are forgiven at the end of each year the student remains eligible. A graduate’s assistance is capped at $7,000 a year. To qualify, students must graduate with a minimum debt, hold a public interest job and meet income restrictions. Other factors affect the graduate’s eligibility or the amount of assistance for which they are eligible. For details of the BLS LRAP program, visit the LRAP Program page in the Financial Aid section of our Web site. A student or graduate should meet with Financial Aid as soon as it becomes clear that the program is likely to be applicable, and plan accordingly. Students knowing at the outset that they are headed for a public interest career should meet with the head of Financial Aid early in their law school career.

The Brooklyn Law School Criminal Justice Post-Graduate Fellowship
Through Brooklyn’s Professor Robert Pitler’s dedication and commitment, the Criminal Justice Post-Graduate Fellowship Fund was created to promote public sector criminal law practice by Brooklyn Law School graduates. The criteria used in awarding the $7500 loan repayment stipend are a demonstrable commitment of at least five years to public sector criminal law, a minimum of $30,000 in educational debt at the time of graduation, and financial need. Selection will include a review of, among other things, income level, outstanding educational loans, and other financial obligations.

The Program hopes not only to lessen graduates' debt but also to inspire an abiding commitment to the practice of criminal law and perhaps in some small way concomitantly to enhance the quality of prosecutorial and defense services available to the people of New York. Contact Charles Krause, charles.krause@brooklaw.edu for more information.

HESC District Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program
HESC District Attorney Loan Forgiveness awards are offered to retain experienced attorneys employed in New York State District Attorney offices. Qualified graduates of not more than 11 years, who have been employed by a New York State district attorney’s office for at least four years and who are New York State residents are eligible to apply. Awards are paid in disbursements of $3400 for each year of qualified service for up to six years (fourth through ninth years). The maximum lifetime total under this program is $20,400. Applications are due by May 1st each year.

Visit the HESC Web site for more information

NYSBA Student Loan Assistance for the Public Interest (SLAPI)
Recognizing that the burden of law school debt can seriously shrink the pool of qualified candidates for public interest work, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has launched the Student Loan Assistance for the Public Interest (SLAPI) program. To be eligible, you must have been admitted to the bar within the last five years, work full-time in a designated public service position, have incurred law school debt through institutional sources and meet enumerated salary limitations. To apply for a SLAPI award, complete an application and two certification forms and submit them by the deadline (mid December in past years). More information about SLAPI, including an application form, can be found by visiting the NYSBA Web site. Students may find answers to issues not addressed on the site by calling the State Bar Association’s SLAPI Committee at (518) 463-3200.

Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs

Perkins Loans
Perkins Loans offer a cancellation provision for those in selected forms of public service. The employment likely to be most relevant to lawyers is: full-time jobs at public or non-profit child or family service agencies providing services to low-income, high risk children and their families, providers of early intervention services, and full-time law enforcement positions. For other qualifying employment and more information about the Perkins Loans cancellation program, see your loan promissory note, or ask Financial Aid for a copy of the Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note. You may also want to refer to 20 U.S.C. 1087ee(a)(2). Please note that cancellation of your loan can only be done before consolidation, that is, only while it retains its identity as a Perkins (or Stafford) loan.

Stafford Loans
Stafford Loans are partly forgivable for lawyers if the recipient enters an AmeriCorps, Vista or Peace Corps program. Those entering an AmeriCorps or Vista program have their loans placed in forbearance during their service year, and receive a $4,725 education award following service. In addition to the authorizing statute cited above, the American Bar Association’s discussion of LRAP options at www.abanet.org/legalservices/downloads/lrap/lrapfinalreport.pdf is very helpful, and provides additional details of most of the programs described in this leaflet.

Loan Repayment Programs within Federal Government Agencies
A few federal agencies may establish programs under which they may repay federally insured student loans of their employees in order to recruit or retain highly qualified professionals. To receive the benefit, an employee must sign an agreement to remain in the service of the agency for at least three years. Agencies may pay up to $6,000 a year per employee, not to exceed a total of $40,000. Some agencies that have reported providing assistance to lawyers include the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, General Accounting Office and Department of Justice. For more information, please see www.opm.gov/oca/pay/studentloan, the ABA document cited above, or the authorizing statute, 5 U.S.C. 5379.

Pending Federal Legislation
Legislation is under consideration in Congress to establish a Loan Repayment Assistance Program specifically for prosecutors and public defenders. While it is in the early stages, it is hoped that the increasing attention to the need for such programs in order to ensure quality prosection and defense services nationwide will result in passage of this or similar legislation. See more information about the pending legislation.

Legal Services, Legal Aid, and Select Non-Profit Employment
While few private sector legal services and non-profit organizations have formal LRAPs, a graduate should always apply and inquire about loan repayment assistance rather than assume you cannot afford a job you would really like. As awareness of the issue increases in the public interest arena, more organizations may begin developing programs. Others may consider providing loan assistance in instances where they are particularly interested in an applicant. Finally, one of the ways organizations’ awareness will increase is through questions raised by potential candidates.

Post Graduate Fellowships
Many fellowships will cover all or some part of the student’s tuition debt during the period of the fellowship. Please look for that information as you examine each website or written fellowship material. If you do not find it, do not hesitate to contact the sponsor and ask.

Other Options
Consolidation, deferral, forbearance, income based payment and other options are available under various circumstances. Please talk to the head of Financial Aid about all possible options to enable you to pursue the legal career of your choice.