Given what legal services can afford to pay their lawyers, the cost of living in metro DC and the average indebtedness of graduating lawyers, it's clear that those directly helping DC's underprivileged receive competent legal representation might need financial help of their own.

The DC Bar Foundation is now administering a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Funding comes from two sources: the DC City Council (through the DC Poverty Lawyer Loan Assistance Repayment Program Act of 2006), and funds raised by the DC Bar Foundation.  The DC Bar Litigation Section provided an initial grant to the DC Bar Foundation of $20,000 in 2006 to support the development of this important program.  In light of both the need for poverty lawyers in the District of Columbia and the high cost of living here, the program is one of the strongest in the nation.  

First, carefully read the Guidelines for the publicly-funded and DCBF   programs.  Download the 2010 LRAP Application Package.   Applications are due November 3, 2009.   All applications will be considered under both the DCBF LRAP and the publicly-funded DC LRAP, unless the applicant requests otherwise.

LRAP in a nutshell:

Who is eligible?
Lawyers providing direct legal services at any non-profit DC civil legal services provider eligible for DC Bar Foundation funding.    Click here for a list of eligible employers. Lawyers who live outside of DC are eligible for LRAP loans only under the DC Bar Foundation- funded program. DC residents are eligible for LRAP loans under both DC Bar Foundation and DC City Council funding. Details are in the relevant Program Guidelines.

What is the income cap?
At this time, $65,000 annually.

How large are the loans?
The yearly maximum is $12,000, with a lifetime cap of $60,000. Individual LRAP loan amounts are determined by the amount an applicant is spending each month to repay eligible educational loans.

How are the loans forgiven?
Awards are for 12 months.  Each loan will be forgiven at the end of the 12-month period, if the recipient maintained eligibility. Participants in the LRAP must maintain eligibility throughout the full forgiveness period to qualify. Check the Program Guidelines for details.

When are applications due?

Applications are accepted in the fall of each year; decisions are made in December; loans are issued in two installments beginning in January.  Applications for 2010 LRAPs are due November 3, 2009.   Mid-year applications may be accepted, depending on availability of funding. 

Are other loan repayment funds available?

You need to find out!  Check with your law school to see if it has a program for which you qualify.  Also check to see whether you qualify for assistance under newly-created federal loan repayment programs.  More information on law school and other LRAP programs is at Equal Justice Works.  It is your responsibility to identify and apply to other LRAP programs for which you are eligible.

More questions?
Download LRAP  Frequently Asked LRAP Questions.

Download the regulations for the publicly-funded LRAP program.

Download the  2010 Application Package.  Applications are due November 3, 2009. All applications will be considered under both the DCBF LRAP and the publicly-funded DC LRAP.

Questions: Contact Claudia Withers, Director of Programs:

  withers [@] dcbarfoundation.org   or 202-467-3750 ext 13.

The next application deadline is November 3, 2009.