Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is committed to supporting graduates who want to pursue careers in the public interest and was one of the first law schools in the country to help preserve this option starting with its first Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in 1984. The Program has been revised over the years to respond to changes in salaries and student loan debt. LRAP was recently revised in spring 2026 to respond to changes to federal student loans. Those who matriculated before July 1, 2026, will be part of “Legacy LRAP,” and those who matriculate after July 1, 2026, will be part of “New LRAP.” Both programs provide generous support to graduates pursuing public interest careers to help them repay their student loans. LRAP is supported in large part by the generosity of the Estate of Dawn Clark Netsch (JD ‘52). 

Graduates in Legacy LRAP can have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $85,000 and receive an LRAP award that covers 100% of their federal student loan payments, with no-out-of-pocket contribution. Graduates with an AGI of up to $105,000 can receive partial support for their loan payments.

Graduates in New LRAP can receive support for both their federal and private loans. Using a debt-to-income ratio model, graduates can have an AGI of up to $120,000 and receive full or partial coverage for their student loan payments.

How are LRAP awards calculated?

To read more information about LRAP policies, including how LRAP awards are calculated, please see our LRAP Handbooks (updated annually):

How does LRAP work?

Northwestern University issues LRAP awards in the form of a one-year forgivable loan for JD graduates working in a qualifying public interest position. Recipients must spend the entire LRAP award on student loans. If the graduate remains in a qualifying position for one year and provides documentation they spent their entire LRAP award on qualifying student loans, the LRAP loan for that year is forgiven in its entirety. Graduates are eligible to apply for LRAP every year for up to ten years after graduation if their first job out of law school is a qualifying public interest position, they remain in a qualifying position, and they comply with the terms of LRAP.

What employment qualifies for LRAP? 

A qualifying job is a position at a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a union, or a government agency (federal, state, local or tribal) that requires passage of the bar exam or that falls within the ABA's definition of a “JD Advantage” job – one where the employer sought an individual with a JD, and perhaps even required a JD, or for which the JD provided a demonstrable advantage in obtaining or performing the job, but itself does not require bar passage or an active law license or involve practicing law. Please note that the applicant’s first job out of law school must be a qualifying position.   

Judicial clerkships qualify for an LRAP award if the participant does not earn more than $15,000 during either summer in law school and immediately enters a qualifying public interest position after their clerkship. If the participant does not directly enter a qualifying position after their clerkship, they must repay their LRAP award, plus interest. If the graduate earned more than $15,000 during either summer in law school, they would not receive an LRAP award during their clerkship but remain eligible for the program if they are in a qualifying public interest position after their clerkship.

How will income be treated? 

We will consider your annual adjusted gross income (AGI) using IRS Form 1040, line 11 of your most recently filed tax form. We will not consider spousal income if you file taxes separately. Spousal income will be considered if you file taxes jointly. We also provide a dependent deduction of $7,500 per minor child.

What loans qualify? 

Federal direct loans in good standing and in active repayment qualify. Participants must be enrolled in certain income-driven repayment plans (eligible plans include Income-Based Repayment (IBR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and will also include the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)). Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) does not qualify.

For the Class of 2029 and beyond, private loans from a commercial lender can also qualify. Students who plan to participate in LRAP must first maximize their federal loan eligibility before their private loans become eligible for coverage. Bar loans do not qualify (however, the Law School offers separate bar study grants and supports to public interest students).

If you were not eligible to take out federal loans or do not qualify for an IDR plan, please email lrap@law.northwestern.edu.   

How does LRAP work with federal repayment and forgiveness programs?

Northwestern’s LRAP works in tandem with federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, which are designed to make student debt more manageable by reducing monthly payments. Graduates must be enrolled in an IDR plan to participate in LRAP, and awards will be calculated based on the amount the participant owes. To learn more about IDR plans, please visit Federal Student Aid.

Northwestern’s LRAP program also works in tandem with the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, under which the federal government forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after the borrower has made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan while working full-time for an eligible employer. 

Please note that eligibility for LRAP does not ensure eligibility for the federal programs, and that any of the federal programs may be changed by the federal government. The terms of Northwestern’s LRAP are also subject to change.  

How does the application process work and when do I apply? 

During spring semester of your 3L year, those interested in applying for LRAP must schedule a LRAP counseling session with the Public Interest Center to review the program and application process. The LRAP application is available on the Public Interest Center website and should be completed annually by the fall deadline. Recent graduates are in grace forbearance for six months after graduation, so they typically apply for LRAP in November or December.

Applicants must provide proof of enrollment in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and their monthly payment amount. Awards will be calculated based on the amount that a participant owes and their AGI.

Additional Information  

For more information about LRAP, please email lrap@law.northwestern.edu.