Pursuing a law degree involves a significant investment of time and money. The high cost of tuition, coupled with the financial strain of living expenses, can leave many law school graduates burdened with substantial student loan debt.
Fortunately, there are still some forgiveness and repayment options available to law school debt holders. Here’s what’s available.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives remaining federal debt after 10 years of qualifying payments while working in public service or nonprofit law.
• Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans set monthly payments based on income and may lead to forgiveness after 20–25 years.
• State LRAPs offer forgiveness or assistance to lawyers working in public service or underserved areas, with varying benefits by state.
• Law school LRAPs provide aid to alumni in low-income or public interest roles, with specific income and debt requirements.
• The Department of Justice repayment program offers up to $6,000/year toward loans for attorneys who commit to at least three years at the Department of Justice.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
A Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is one type of financial assistance provided to law school graduates in government and lower paying legal fields. LRAPs may be run by the state, state bar, federal government, or individual law schools.
In many cases, funds are provided via a forgivable loan that is canceled when the recipient’s service obligation is completed. These loans are structured in a way that they are not taxable income, unlike grants. If you receive loan repayment assistance, it’s important to find out if your funds are taxable. (Learn how to find your student loan tax form.)
An LRAP shouldn’t be confused with the repayment plan borrowers agree to when they first sign for their loans. Most people with federal student loans are on the Standard Repayment Plan, meaning they pay a fixed amount every month for up to 10 years.
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5 Law School Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs
Below are the five most widely used law school student loan forgiveness and repayment programs. If you’re already receiving one or more of these benefits, remember that you may have to reapply each year.
You may apply to as many law school debt forgiveness programs as you qualify for. In some cases, you may even accept more than one grant or loan at a time, but check the fine print on your program applications.
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Best for: Lawyers who plan to work for the government or in the nonprofit sector
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program may be the most well-known option in terms of loan forgiveness for lawyers. The premise is simple: If you work in a qualifying public service field, then the remainder of your direct student loans can be forgiven after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments over 10 years. However, many people attempting to meet those requirements can find the process confusing and difficult.
The first step to qualifying for public service loan forgiveness is filling out the employment certification form.
In order to earn loan forgiveness, you must work for a qualifying government organization or tax-exempt non-profit organization, and you must be enrolled in a qualifying repayment plan — generally a federal income-driven repayment plan.
The next step is to make your monthly loan payments promptly. If you meet all those requirements and payments, then at the end of 10 years, the remainder of your debt could be forgiven.
Income-driven Repayment (IDR) Plans
Best for: Lawyers with low incomes
An income-driven repayment plan sets your monthly student loan payment based on your income and family size. Most federal student loans are eligible for at least one income-driven repayment plan. If your income is low enough, your payment could be $0 per month. There are currently three income-driven repayment plans to choose from:
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan
• Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Plan
• Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan
Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers will have just one income-driven plan, the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is based on borrowers’ adjusted gross income (AGI), with a $50 monthly reduction per dependent. The RAP plan provides cancellation after 30 years of payments.
The Federal Student Aid website breaks down the eligibility for each program. If you have Parent PLUS loans, you must consolidate your loans to become eligible for an IDR plan.
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State Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Best for: Lawyers who qualify for their state’s program
Most states have LRAPs providing a type of law school loan forgiveness if you work in that state — often in the public sector, for a qualifying nonprofit, or in underserved communities. Repayment assistance varies, so check the guidelines for your state. For instance, the District of Columbia offers one-year interest-free forgivable loans up to $12,000; in New York, forgivable loans of up to $10,000 per year are available for a maximum of three years or $30,000.
Law School-Based Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Best for: Lawyers with low incomes or those who work in high-need areas
Many schools offer their own LRAPs for lawyers. Programs vary as far as minimum law school debt and income requirements. You’ll have to check with your law school’s financial aid office to learn their requirements and see if you meet them.
One program, for example, awards up to $5,600 each to around 125 new attorneys annually through an application process that opens in August.
Department of Justice Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program
Best for: Lawyers who work for the Department of Justice
The Department of Justice Attorney Student Loan Repayment program is a type of law school loan forgiveness aimed at encouraging newly minted attorneys to work for the Department of Justice. Applications for the program open in the spring (typically on March 1), however, the program is paused for 2025.
In return, you can receive up to $6,000 per year (for a maximum of $60,000 total) paid toward your student loans. It’s not exactly law school loan forgiveness, but it is law school loan repayment.
The fine print: You must commit to three years of full-time employment for the Department of Justice, and if you don’t fulfill your commitment then you could be on the hook for any loan payments made on your behalf. You must have at least $10,000 in eligible student loans, which includes Stafford Loans, PLUS loans, Perkins Loans, and a few other types of student loans. (All criteria information is available on the Department of Justice’s program website.)
Payments are made directly to the loan servicer and all loan repayments made by the Department of Justice ASLRP are considered taxable income. It’s also a highly competitive program, but if you’re looking at a career working for the DOJ, then it could be a great way to get your start and wipe out some debt.
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The Takeaway
Law school loan forgiveness sounds great, but it can cost you money in the long run if you end up paying higher interest rates or don’t pursue the career you want in the hope of securing loan forgiveness. Other options may include loan consolidation or student loan refinancing.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
FAQ
What is law school loan forgiveness?
Law school loan forgiveness is a program designed to help law graduates reduce or eliminate their student loan debt. These programs are typically available to those who work in public service, nonprofit organizations, or other qualifying fields. The goal is to make legal education more accessible and to encourage graduates to pursue careers that serve the public interest.
Who is eligible for law school loan forgiveness?
Eligibility for law school loan forgiveness programs varies, but generally, you must be a law graduate working in a qualifying job. Common qualifying fields include public interest law, government positions, and nonprofit organizations. Some programs also require a certain number of years of service and may have specific income or loan type requirements.
What are the most common law school loan forgiveness programs?
Some of the most common law school loan forgiveness programs include the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which is federal and available to those working in public service, and various state and school-specific programs. Many law schools also offer their own loan forgiveness assistance programs for graduates working in public interest roles.
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