Access Restricted to Northwestern Law CommunityPublic Service Fellowship Program
Government and public interest jobs offer excellent opportunities for law graduates, but the cost of law school loans and the lower pay level of these jobs often bars graduates from considering these options. For many years, Northwestern Law has helped preserve a complete range of career choices for its graduates by providing graduates who enter public interest and government jobs assistance in repaying their law school loans. In 1984, Northwestern Law created its first such program, the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).
The Law School has revised this program to reflect the changing economic landscape and the needs of its students, and it is now called the Public Service Fellowship (PSFP). PSFP assists graduates entering legal and managerial positions in the public and non-profit sectors.
Under the program, eligible graduates working as attorneys or managers in any government or non-profit agency will receive one-year forgivable loans for their legal education debt service. If the graduate remains in a qualifying position for one year, the loan is forgiven in its entirety. Graduates may participate in the program for up to ten years.
Those who qualify apply only a certain percentage of their earnings to their annual obligations for loan repayments; the Public Service Fellowship provides for the remainder of their obligations in the form of one-year forgiveable loans. The amount of assistance granted to each participant is based upon the gross income and the amount of the indebtedness of the participant. The calculations adjust the participant's income downward to reflect annual debt service from undergraduate loans and a dependant's allowance of $5,000 per child. Married applicants are treated as having the higher of (a) his or her own income or (b) half of the joint income.
| Income Level (AGI) | % of Income Applicant is Expected to Contribute (per year) |
| $0-$30,000 | 0% |
| $30,001-$40,000 | 6% |
| $40,001-$50,000 | 7% |
| $50,001-$60,000 | 8% |
Presently, the maximum annual law school contribution is capped at $13,000.
For more information about the Public Service Fellowship program, contact Cindy Wilson in the Center for Career Strategy and Advancement at (312) 503-2924.
The Law School remains committed to having a strong and supportive loan forgiveness program. Students, faculty, and administrators at the school are currently considering revisions to the program in light of the enactment of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. When these revisions become final, they will be posted on this page.Related Links
Public Interest Employment | Student Funded Public Interest Fellowships
