Loan repayment assistance programs progress

The House of Representatives passed its version of the Higher Education Act on Feb. 7, which includes two critical programs designed to ease the burden of student loan debt for prosecutors, public defenders, as well as for legal aid lawyers.

The first of these measures, The John R. Justice Prosecutor and Defender Incentive Program, provides for $10,000, up to a maximum amount of $60,000, in student loan debt forgiveness per year in exchange for a commitment of at least three years of qualifying service. 

A second HEA provision will provide $6,000 per year, up to a maximum of $40,000, of student loan debt forgiveness for legal aid lawyers with three years of service.

Since the Senate-passed version of the HEA is slightly different, a conference committee will meet to iron out differences. The ABA is hopeful that this will occur soon and the legislation will be signed by the President before March 31, when the current HEA extension expires.

Another avenue for student loan relief, the College Cost Reduction Act, was signed into law late last year and became effective on Oct. 1.

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