The University of Colorado at Boulder Law School

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Colorado Law is dedicated to making public interest legal careers a real option for our graduates, despite the reality of educational debt. Such debt may prevent students from choosing work at low-paying public interest or non-profit organizations. Colorado Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) provides partial loan repayment awards to selected students who choose qualifying public interest work.

Awards may be as much as $8,000 per recipient per year, depending on the availability of funds and participation rates. The size and number of awards given annually may be adjusted as program resources, participation rates, and other factors change. Colorado Law was able to increase award amounts significantly due to a generous grant from the Cathlin Donnell Foundation.

Donate: Donate online directly to LRAP or view additional methods of giving.

LRAP Awards

Awards are contingent upon the recipient’s ongoing employment in a qualifying public interest job during the annual period for which the LRAP funds are awarded. Recipients may receive LRAP awards for up to three (3) years, providing that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements, and subject to available funding. Participants must reapply each year.

Applications

The next opportunity to apply for an LRAP award or renewal will be early in the fall of 2011, with the exact deadline to be determined during the summer of 2011. A complete Application Form must be received by the deadline to ensure consideration. Colorado Law keeps all information, including tax returns, STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and uses data only for determining income and financial eligibility.

Eligibility Changes

Participants must notify Colorado Law in writing (c/o the LRAP Administrator) within 30 days of any eligibility changes, including changes in salary, marital status, employment, and loan repayment status. Failure to provide notification will result in the loss of benefits. Participants who receive overpayments as a result of changes are required to refund the overpayment amount to the program.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be University of Colorado Law School graduates and are selected based on the following factors:

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

Qualifying Public Interest Employment

Applicants must be licensed, full-time (35 or more hours per week) lawyers working in a “public interest capacity” in one of the following categories:

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 Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and exempt from tax under Section 501(c) of the IRC, and as determined by Colorado Law School 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 Colorado Law School, nor can the services be performed for Colorado Law
3. The lawyer works for a national, state, or local government agency

Judicial clerkships do not qualify as employment in a "public interest capacity." Graduates who choose LRAP-eligible employment immediately following their clerkships may apply for LRAP awards at that time.

Qualifying Debt Service and Federal Programs

LRAP recognizes annual debt service only on law school loans approved by the University of Colorado. While total debt burden is considered in applications, LRAP awards are intended to repay only law school loans. Participation in any federal or other payment reduction plan will not preclude an applicant from receiving a fellowship. However, benefits received to help repay law school loans through another source are considered in the application and may affect the amount of LRAP awards.  

Employment Income and Financial Conditions

An applicant’s prospective and/or current income must not exceed $55,000. In determining applications for continuing eligibility, an allowance for annual gross salary increases of $2,000 is allowed for each year of LRAP participation. In determining gross salary, additional sources of taxable income for that year are considered.

Continued Eligibility

Recipients may reapply for the next two years and will receive assistance, assuming funds are available. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements each year. After the third year, applicants may reapply for additional years. However, new applicants (at whatever eligibility category level) receive priority over previous recipients who have received LRAP assistance for three years. Follow the instructions in the Application Form for New or Renewal Awards.

Taxability

Colorado Law strongly encourages participants to consult with their tax advisors regarding taxation of LRAP awards.

Administration

LRAP is administered by the University of Colorado Law School. For further information, please contact Whiting Leary, Senior Assistant Dean of Students.