Overview of NC Legal Education Assistance Foundation 1989-2010

Equal access to justice is a cornerstone of our legal system. NC LEAF encourages attorneys to pursue careers in public service through law school loan repayment assistance. Rising law school debt and low salaries in public service positions present enormous impediments for law graduates committed to public interest careers. NC LEAF helps insure that skilled attorneys continue to aid the underserved citizens of our state by providing financial assistance towards relief for law school debt. Funding for NC LEAF is made possible by the State of NC, IOLTA, Legal Aid of NC, administrative fees from participating law schools, and donations from individuals and law firms. NC LEAF is pleased to be named as the Designated State Agency for disbursement of the new federally funded John R. Justice loan repayment assistance program designed to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and continue in that service.

The NC LEAF Loan Repayment Assistance Program serves attorneys who:

• Have graduated from an ABA accredited law school
• Are employed full time in a law-related public service position-an organization providing legal services to the poor, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, a public defender's or district attorney's office, or a government agency:
• Have current law school educational debt obligation and are not in default on any loans
• Have an eligibility income below these qualifying levels:
  • $43,000 in the first year of practice,
  • $48,000 in the second year of practice, and
  • $53,000 in each subsequent year.

Each participant contributes a percentage of his/her income towards debt repayment, and NC LEAF pays the remainder, up to $9,000 per year per participant when sufficient funds are available. Money provided during the first three years is an interest-free loan that must be paid back if the participant leaves employment. These loans are then forgiven if the participant remains in public service for specified time periods. Please review the Program Guidelines for comprehensive information.  Notification will occur by December 1.

If you are ready to complete an application for NC LEAF loan repayment assistance please continue to the Applicants Tab for the NC LEAF application process.

John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program for Prosecutors and Public Defenders serves attorneys who:

• Have graduated from an ABA accredited law school
• Are employed full time as a prosecutor or public defender (click on link for detailed description)
• Will commit to remain in this employment for three years
• Have current law school educational debt obligation and are not in default on any loans
• Have loans that are FFEL, Perkins or Federal Direct. Private loans are ineligible.
• Understand this assistance may be considered taxable income
• Have an eligibility income below $75,000. You can get a general idea of your eligibility by completing the downloadable calculations worksheet. Additional deductions may apply.
• Please review the Program Guidelines for comprehensive information. Notification will occur by December 1.

If you are ready to complete an application for JRJ loan repayment assistance please continue to the Applicants Tab for the John R. Justice application process.

Please note:  While you are welcome to make application to both programs, assistance will be provided from either NC LEAF or JRJ funds but not both.