Loan Repayment Assistance Program
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Eligibility Guidelines (1997-2012) Eligibility Guidelines (2013+)
2012 Application Now Available
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The ProgramBerkeley Law maintains a strong commitment to public service-oriented graduates and it is our goal to preserve career choice by removing the student debt barrier. Therefore beginning in January 2010, Berkeley Law is improving the support that our Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) provides to public interest graduates. By integrating our LRAP with the Income Based Repayment (IBR) option and Public Service Loan Forgiveness provided by the federal government's College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, the LRAP will grant up to 10 years of support to graduates for IBR payments for federal student loan debt greater than $100,000 provided that their annual income is no greater than $100,000.
EligibilityThe Berkeley Law LRAP is designed to aid Berkeley Law graduates who earned the Juris Doctor (JD) degree and are employed by either 501(c)(3) nonprofit public interest organizations or government agencies. Graduates must apply within three and a half years of graduation, and all previous participants may re-enter the program at any time if employment and income requirements are met. For 1-year clerkships, please see details in our guidelines.
Selecting the Right Track (For Pre-2013 Grads Only)As of Spring 2010, Berkeley Law will offer graduates two LRAP options for graduating classes through 2012. The Standard-LRAP track reflects our current guidelines’ support for up to $100,000 in student loan debt. As an alternative, the new IBR option will provide relief for many graduates with student loans greater than $100,000 and/or substantial pre-law school debt. IBR track guidelines require making IBR payments, and with the graduating class of 2013, all LRAP participants will receive support for only federal student loans and IBR will be required. Either LRAP track may include support for a bar study loan of up to $10,000.
ApplicationGraduates must apply every six months to participate in the LRAP program and submit a cancellation application at the end of every pay period. In order to provide funding at the beginning of each pay period, we encourage applicants to submit their forms prior to our deadline.
Stay InformedKeep up with LRAP news and policy changes via Twitter or our blog. Learn more about Loan Repayment and CCRAA:
Contact Berkeley Law's LRAP Coordinator Leah Sime lrap@law.berkeley.edu Planning a visit? Please make an appointment. Current students considering public service careers are encouraged to discuss their options with the LRAP Coordinator well before graduation.
We are located at 2850 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 500, Berkeley, CA 94705-7220 Click here for information on the Telegraph-Boalt shuttle service.
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