LRAP III
LRAP III is designed to promote and facilitate careers for our JD graduates in public interest law and works in conjunction with the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Georgetown Law students who:
- work for U.S.-based government agencies or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations;
- for 10 years after graduation in a legally related capacity (JD degree must be preferred or required);
- and whose current LRAP qualifying income remain less than $75,000* receive the maximum benefit.
To be eligible for PSLF, federally guaranteed loans are repaid through an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan. Generally, participants select either the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan that limits repayment to 10-15% of the borrower’s gross annual income. At the end of 10 years of public service, the federal government will forgive the remaining balance.
Georgetown Law reimburses out-of-pocket repayments for its graduates in eligible public service, effectively ending loan repayments for those who spend 10 years working in modestly paid public interest fields. Current students and those who entered the program in or after 2010 will receive the full benefit of this plan.
How the Calculation Works
Georgetown Law benefits continue on a diminishing basis for incomes exceeding $75,000* (i.e. if reporting an income of $80,000 (which is $5,000 over the threshold), we will provide LRAP based on an income of $70,000 (which is $5,000 under the threshold).
The $75,000 income threshold is for single participants who are not receiving any other loan repayment assistance from another entity. If you have a spouse and/or dependents, the amount of income you can earn to receive 100% LRAP coverage is $75,000 + 150% of the HHS Poverty amount for each additional person (current amount for 2025 is $5,500).
Married students interested in public service employment within the next year should strongly consider filing their federal tax returns separately from their spouses. The federal IBR or PAYE calculation will utilize your spouse’s income if you file jointly.
If you decide to file your federal taxes jointly and your spouse has an income, we will use your income only and the household size to calculate your IBR or PAYE payment and LRAP III award.
As of January 2010, the only student loans that are covered under the LRAP III program are the federal Direct Student loans, and up to $100/month for Bar Loans with incomes up to $75,000.