Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Announcement: Federal loan repayment will be resuming soon – get to know the new SAVE Plan (replaces REPAYE) – SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments | Federal Student Aid. 

BU Law has a strong tradition of commitment to public service. We recognize that many law graduates have difficulties pursuing public interest careers because salaries are insufficient to enable them to pay loans in addition to covering their living expenses.

Since 1993, BU Law has provided financial support to our alumni in order to relieve some of the burden of making monthly payments. Since October 2010, this assistance has been provided in the form of a forgivable loan.

Under the terms of the current program, graduates are eligible to apply for assistance for up to ten years after graduation. Applications are submitted to the Law Financial Aid Office and reviewed by the Loan Repayment Assistance Committee, who considers several criteria, including the ratio of salary to aggregate debt, spousal income and educational loans (if any), dependent responsibility, and any special circumstances affecting the applicant’s ability to repay outstanding debt.

The Committee also considers the nature of the public service activity, the organization’s history, and its viability when deciding how to allocate the funds available.

Would you like to apply?

  • Read through the policies in our Program Description
  • Submit your application by mail or email by December 1
  • Don’t forget to re-apply each year—awards are not automatically renewed.

Program Highlights:

  • BU Law has been providing financial support to alumni working in public interest law for more than 25 years.
  • The BU Law LRAP is available to JD graduates employed in law-related positions in government and non-profit organizations providing legal services. Temporary judicial clerkship positions are not included.
  • You can apply for up to ten years after graduation and may enter or leave the program at your discretion.
  • BU Law LRAP awards may be applied to most educational loan debt—including federal, private, bar study, and Federal Consolidation Loans.
  • Recipients are able to receive up to a maximum of $10,000 per year, and an aggregate maximum of $60,000 over ten years.
  • The BU Law LRAP does not require applicants to participate in a specific repayment option (although awards may be based on the IBR, PAYE or REPAYE calculated payment).
  • In most years, more than 90% of applicants received awards that ranged from $1,000 – $10,000 per year.