The University of Colorado at Boulder Law School

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

The University of Colorado Law School is dedicated to helping its graduates make career choices that are right for them, despite the reality of educational debt.  The Law School realizes that the burden of such debt may prevent students from choosing to work in low paying public service or non-profit organizations.  Consequently, the Law School has established the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). LRAP provides partial loan repayment to selected students who choose qualifying public interest work.

While the Law School is strongly committed to LRAP, it is important to note that funding for the program is quite modest at this time.  We are pleased that in 2005 and 2006, a number of $1,500 awards were made.  The availability of funds, the size of LRAP awards, and the number of awards given annually may be adjusted as program resources, participation rates, and other factors change.  If you are interested in helping LRAP grow, please follow the “Contributions” link to learn more about giving to this exciting and vital new program.

How LRAP Works

Students and graduates of the Law School apply for LRAP awards during the spring semester.  Please see the Application link for more detailed information about the application process.  LRAP awards are contingent upon the recipient’s ongoing employment in a qualifying public interest job during the annual period for which the LRAP grant is awarded.  Law School graduates are eligible to receive LRAP awards for up to three (3) years, providing that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Participants must reapply during the second and third years to continue receiving benefits from the program.    

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for LRAP assistance, the applicant must be a graduate of or a graduating student from the University of Colorado Law School. Graduating students may apply for the LRAP during their third year of law school.Eligibility will be based on the following factors:

1. Qualifying public interest employment.
2. Employment income and financial conditions.
3. Continued eligibility for duration of LRAP assistance.

Qualifying Public Interest Employment

The applicant's employment must be as a licensed, full-time (35 hours or more each week) lawyer working in a public interest capacity. There are three categories qualifying as working in a “public interest capacity":
(1) the lawyer works directly on behalf of economically disadvantaged clients, for or under the direction of an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC and exempt from tax under Section 501(c) of the IRC, and as determined by the School of Law with reference to the requirements of Section 108(f) of the IRC; (2) the lawyer works for an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC and is exempt from tax under Section 501(c), provided that the employer cannot be the Law School, nor can the services be performed for the Law School; or (3) the lawyer works for a national, state, or local government agency.

Judicial clerkships do not qualify as employment in a "public interest capacity." The LRAP program is not intended to provide benefits to graduates who choose to take judicial clerkships, as most do not enter LRAP-eligible employment following these clerkships. Graduates who intend to proceed to LRAP eligible employment immediately following the end of their clerkships may apply to the program for benefits at that time.

Qualifying Debt Service

LRAP recognizes annual debt service only on law school loans approved by the University of Colorado.  While a student’s total debt burden is considered in her application, LRAP awards are designed to repay only law school loans approved by the University of Colorado.  Any benefits received to help repay law school loans through another program may affect the amount of an LRAP award.

Employment Income and Financial Conditions

In order to qualify for LRAP assistance, the applicant’s prospective and/or current income must not exceed $45,000. In determining applications for continuing eligibility, an allowance for annual gross salary increases of $2,000 above $45,000 is allowed for each year of LRAP participation. In determining whether the applicant’s annual gross salary exceeds the cap, any additional sources of the applicant’s taxable income for that year will be considered.

Continued Eligibility

A current LRAP recipient may reapply for the next year and will receive assistance, provided all eligibility requirements are met. The eligibility requirements must be satisfied each year. Assuming all requirements are met and funding is available, LRAP assistance may be provided for up to three years. After the third year, an applicant may re-apply for additional years, assuming that all eligibility requirements continue to be met. However, new applicants for LRAP assistance (at whatever eligibility category level) will receive priority over previous award recipients who have already received LRAP assistance for three years.

Applying for LRAP Benefits

Applications for the LRAP program are available online here and new applications for LRAP are due on Friday, April 4, 2008.

A complete application must be received by the above deadline to ensure consideration. In addition, applicants are required to inform the University of Colorado Law School within 30 days of their application of material changes regarding their employment, marital status, and loan repayment status that may impact eligibility for LRAP benefits.

All information, including tax returns, will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and is only for purposes of determining income and financial eligibility. This information must be provided each year for continued funding, as described above.

Responsibilities of LRAP Participants

Participants must notify the Dean’s Office within 30 days of a change in eligibility. This includes changes in salary, marital status, employment, and loan repayment status. Failure to notify the Dean’s Office, in writing, within 30 days of such change will result in the loss of benefits. Participants who receive overpayments as a result of changes in eligibility will be required to refund the amount of the overpayment to the program.

TAXABILITY OF LRAP LOAN FORGIVENESS

Participants are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the taxability of LRAP awards

Administration of LRAP

The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is administered by the University of Colorado Law School’s LRAP.  For further information please contact us at:

University of Colorado Law School
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
Associate Dean Lorenzo Trujillo
401 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0401
Phone: (303) 492-6682
Fax: (303) 492-1757