Notre Dame Law School Announces Significant Expansion of Its Loan Repayment Assistance Program | News | Law School

Notre Dame Law School announced enhancements to its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for the second year in a row, aimed at supporting more JD graduates pursuing careers in interest law public and government with loan repayment assistance.

Two significant updates include increasing the salary cap to $110,000 starting in 2025 and extending eligibility to part-time JD graduates.

LRAP aims to ease the financial burden of law school debt for graduates who pursue public interest careers, which are often less lucrative. This initiative demonstrates the Faculty of Law’s commitment to promoting the common good and encouraging graduates to take on important roles that contribute to society. Since its launch in 2003, LRAP has paid millions of dollars to hundreds of graduates serving in diverse public interest and service roles across the United States and around the world.

The program provides up to ten calendar years of loan assistance to JD graduates in public interest law careers.

The Law School’s LRAP works in conjunction with the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to help graduates achieve full forgiveness of their federal student loans, both undergraduate and graduate, with only minimal payments to them, determined by their income.

This year, 98% of those enrolled in the law school’s LRAP had their monthly payments fully covered. Graduates in public interest or public service positions may receive full forgiveness of their federal student loan balance after ten years of employment.

The inclusion of part-time graduates has been particularly beneficial for Elizabeth DeCenzo, a 2013 ND law graduate, who currently works part-time as a prosecutor in child abuse and neglect cases for the Department of Services to Indiana’s childhood. Last summer, when she applied for LRAP help for a part-time job, she discovered no such option existed. DeCenzo balances her time between her role as a part-time prosecutor and caring for her two young sons as a stay-at-home mom.

“Even though I work part-time, I manage a full caseload and believe my work should qualify despite reduced hours. I reached out, explaining that many ND law graduates who are parents do career sacrifices for their families My letter was forwarded to the LRAP committee, which quickly approved the change,” DeCenzo said. “Most of the time, I spend my mornings litigating cases and my afternoons with my sons Henry (3 years old) and Alex (2 years old), enjoying family time. I am grateful to the law school for helping me balance work and family life.

LRAP is an endowed program, with an annual budget of $500,000 that continues to grow. LRAP ensures that all eligible graduates receive benefits through the generosity of its donors. No eligible LRAP applicant has ever been turned away.

“The Loan Repayment Assistance Program truly gives individuals the opportunity to pursue the career of their choice in public service,” said Will Tronsor, ’18 JD and LRAP participant. “Through LRAP, I began my career at Disability Rights New York, where I continue to work today, providing free legal services and fighting for the rights of people with disabilities. LRAP has had a ripple effect in not only helping me, but also helping the many clients I have served through the many successes we have achieved. crucial support to those of us striving to become a different kind of lawyer, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity it gave me. »

Applications for the LRAP are due November 1 each year, and more information about the program is available on the Notre Dame Law School website. Questions may be directed to LRAP Coordinator Cathy Kustner, who can be reached at [email protected] or (574) 631-9301.