What is LRAP?  |  General Eligibility Criteria  |  Types of Eligible Employment
Qualifying Income  |  Application Procedures  |  Renewal Application Process  |  LRAP Forms
Public Interest Federal Loan Forgiveness Information

What is LRAP?

Suffolk University Law School began its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in 1989 to assist JD graduates in pursuing careers in the field of public interest law. Graduates who are selected for LRAP benefits receive assistance with education loan payments. The program is funded by Suffolk University and administered by the Office of Financial Aid.

LRAP was designed to assist in the repayment of student loans including federal loans (Stafford, Perkins, and Graduate PLUS Loans), Suffolk University Law School Trustee Loans, and private educational loans through commercial lenders.

General Eligibility Criteria

All Suffolk JD graduates and final semester JD candidates may apply for LRAP. However, priority is given to students who apply during their last semester of law school or within one year of graduation. To be eligible for LRAP, students must not owe an outstanding balance on their Suffolk University student tuition account and graduates must not be in default on any educational loans. From all eligible applicants, LRAP recipients will be selected based on type of employment, salary, loan debt, financial need, and available funding. LRAP recipients may select any federal repayment plan. However, LRAP awards will be based on the monthly payment due under the Income Based Repayment (IBR) plan. In the event that applications exceed available funding, not all applicants will receive benefits. Award amounts will vary, not to exceed $6,000 per year. Approximately 15 new recipients are selected each year.

Types of Eligible Employment

The program is available to all JD graduates who work full time (35 hours or more per week) in a public interest job which utilizes the legal training and skills of the graduate in one of the   following types of employment:

• Non-profit public interest litigation, advocacy or policy groups
• Non-profit legal services organizations serving indigent clients
• Law-related state, federal, or local government positions to which the
  applicant has been hired or appointed, but not elected, including
  prosecutor and public defender offices

Consideration may be given to whether the work of the agency or organization provides access to justice or services to traditionally under served clients.

The following types of employment are NOT ELIGIBLE for loan assistance:

• Private law firms even if the firm does pro bono work
• Judicial law clerkships
• Political campaigns

Qualifying Income

To initially qualify for LRAP benefits, the annual gross income of the individual applicant should not exceed $49,000. Once in the program, income will be reviewed bi-annually (prior to each disbursement of funds). The income ceiling for program participants is currently $59,000. If a current LRAP recipient exceeds the income ceiling but remains in eligible employment, benefits will cease. The recipient will not be responsible for repaying any benefits.

If married, the applicant's annual gross income must be within the above limits and the spouse's annual gross income must not exceed $67,000. Spouse's annual educational loan payments will be subtracted from their annual gross income when determining LRAP eligibility.

Disbursement of Funds                                                                                                   

LRAP benefits are disbursed twice a year. The funds are given in the form of a zero interest loan that is cancelled six months from the date the funds were disbursed, only if the student completes that six months of service in a qualified public service position. If this condition is not met, payments on the loan will commence in accordance with the terms set forth in the promissory note. Recipients selected for the program in their final semester of law school will receive their first LRAP payment in January following graduation. Recipients selected in June who are currently paying on their educational loans will receive the first LRAP payment in July. Recipients who continue to meet all eligibility requirements of the program, as evidenced by submission of a renewal application, will receive bi-annual benefits for a ten-year period.

Application Procedures                                                                                                

LRAP applications are available annually in March and are due no later than June 1st. The applicant is responsible for submitting a complete application by the established deadline. Recipients selected for LRAP who are unable to secure qualifying employment by December 1st will become ineligible for benefits. If qualifying employment is secured after the December 1st deadline, the applicant is encouraged to apply again next year for LRAP benefits.

Renewal Application Procedures                                                                                 

Recipients of LRAP benefits are required to submit a renewal paperwork twice a year showing continued eligibility for the program. Renewal Applications are available annually in March and are due no later than July 1st in order to receive July LRAP benefits. In order to receive January LRAP benefits, only the Employer Certification Form and the Promissory Note are required. The Office of Financial Aid will send letters to LRAP recipients in December and June outlining the information required to obtain the next benefit check. Please keep your address current with the Office of Financial Aid.

To receive an application:

• Download the application from the LRAP forms section below
• Call the Suffolk Office of Financial Aid at 617-573-8147
• Send a written request to the address below

Once completed, applications should be submitted to: 

Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Office of Financial Aid
Suffolk University Law School
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

LRAP Forms

Initial Application - If you are a first time applicant for the LRAP program, complete all parts of this application and submit to the Office of Financial Aid.

Renewal Application - If you are a current LRAP recipient, complete all parts of this application and submit to the Office of Financial Aid for continued benefits.

Employer Certification Form - Once selected for the program, your employer must complete this certification form in order for you to receive LRAP funds.

Employer Certification Form for Spouse - Once selected for the program, married recipients must have your spouse's employer complete this certification form in order for you to receive LRAP funds.

Promissory Note - Once selected for the program, you must complete this promissory note prior to each disbursement of LRAP funds.

W-9 - Once selected for the program, you must complete the IRS form W-9 in order to receive your first LRAP check. This form only needs to be completed once.

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