One of the most significant barriers to practicing public interest law for new lawyers is the looming mountain of debt they will need to begin paying off. Most law students graduate with around $150,000 in student loans. With the average public interest job salary hovering around $40,000, the prospect of paying off those loans seems far out of reach.

LRAPs (Loan Repayment Assistance Programs) are available from a variety of sources to assist new public interest attorneys to make payments toward their student loans. Whenever PLISF has a surplus in funds that it raises as compared to scholarships awarded, we donate funding to the Pitt Law LRAPs. Below are some resources to assist those interested in finding an LRAP.

For general information on LRAPs, please visit the American Bar Association. Not all LRAPs are created equal, so be sure to check out the Equal Justice Works LRAP questions to ask. US News also put together some questions to ask of any LRAP for which you apply.

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs:

• Pennsylvania Bar Foundation/PA IOLTA
• Pitt Law LRAPs
• LRAP for Federal Agency Employees

In addition to LRAPs, please find information on federal loan repayment plans and public interest federal loan forgiveness programs:

• Federal Loan Repayment Plans
• Public Service (Federal) Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

 

30th Annual PLISF Auction
February 18th, 2016
Doors open at 6:30
Barco Law Building
First Floor Lobby