Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs)

LANC (Legal Aid of North Carolina) full-time attorneys with law school debt may be eligible to receive loan repayment assistance and/or federal student loan forgiveness through the following:

  1. A. NC LEAF (NC Legal Education Assistance Foundation)

            1.  NC LEAF/LANC Collaboration (NEW in 2007)
            2.  NC LEAF Loan Repayment Assistance Program

    B.  Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program (NEW in 2008)

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A. NC LEAF (North Carolina Legal Education Assistance Foundation)

  • In 1989, students and deans at North Carolina's law schools formed NCLEAF as the nation's first statewide loan repayment assistance program for attorneys working in public service careers.  NCLEAF helps North Carolina lawyers pursue careers in public service through its educational loan repayment assistance program.  Participating lawyers have accepted positions in which they aid the traditionally underserved populations of North Carolina.  LANC full-time attorneys may apply for NC LEAF loan repayment assistance in two ways:
  • 1. NC LEAF/LANC Collaboration
    LANC full-time attorneys with law school debt may be eligible to receive loan repayments assistance through the NC LEAF/LANC collaboration, after completing six (6) months of employment with Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC).  Assistance is limited to a maximum of $400 per month payable in quarterly installments, in advance, with a maximum of $4800 per funding year.  Because LANC is now a "sponsor", repayment assistance is typically automatic as long as the LANC attorney meets eligibility requirements and is not in default on any loan.  Also the LANC attorney must be current and not in forbearance on any law school educational loans. LANC attorneys may obtain NC LEAF/LANC Collaboration information and application forms from the LANC Administrative Office.
  • 2. NC LEAF Loan Repayment Assistance Program
    North Carolina attorneys who work full-time in "public service" and who have law school debt may also be eligible for low-interest loans to assist with their law school debt repayment.  If a program participant works in public service for more than three years, she/he is eligible for forgiveness of NC LEAF loans on a prescribed schedule.  Application and Updates are submitted annually and assistance may be provided on a competitive and fund-availability basis.  For additional information on the NC LEAF Loan Repayment Assistance Program, visit the NC LEAF website, http://www.ncleaf.org/program.html

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B. Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program (CCRAA)

  • Lawyers and non-lawyers working in public service can benefit from a new federal student loan forgiveness program, especially if they have high federal student loan debt  The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) of 2007 was signed into law on September 27, 2007.  Negotiated rulemakers reached consensus on draft regulations on April 14, 2008.  Final regulations will be issued by the Department of Education in November 2008.  For information on CCRAA and application for federal loan forgiveness, go to the Equal Justice Works website, http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resource

         Also see:

    Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employment Checklist
...a three-page checklist and information sheet on CCRAA by Equal Justice Works. 

 

 

 

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The materials contained on this website are for information and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Please contact your Legal Aid of North Carolina office or a private attorney if you need to speak to an attorney regarding your particular situation. See our complete disclaimer.

Mission Statement

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity.

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