PRESS RELEASE: LOSFA program helps law professionals repay student loans

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Brittany Francis

Public Information and Communications Director

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Tyana Daquano

Public Information Officer

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Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA)

February 22, 2021

LOSFA assisting law professionals with loan repayment program

Baton Rouge - The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, is accepting applications for the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program through April 30, 2021.

State public defenders and prosecutors who are employed by the state of Louisiana, and agree to remain in their current position for at least three years, may qualify to have their educational loans (both Federal Family Education Loan Program and Williams D. Ford Direct Loans) repaid through the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program.

“Attorneys who choose to work as prosecutors and public defenders do so as public servants,” said LOSFA’s Student Financial Aid Director, Deborah Paul. “LOSFA is pleased to offer and administer the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program to provide assistance by paying off some of their student loan debt."

Under the program, 10 eligible prosecutors will be awarded $1,950 each, two from each circuit, and five public defenders will be awarded $3,900 each, one from each circuit (see table below).

How Funds are Awarded and Disbursed

"The awards help to ensure that financial concerns are less of a barrier to attorneys hoping to serve the public as prosecutors and public defenders," said Sarah Dawkins, an assistant district attorney in Orleans Parish and past award recipient. "I am both personally grateful for the benefits of the program and furthermore, as a member of the community, grateful for the efforts of the program to retain experienced attorneys in these roles."

Applicants must have at least $20,000 in remaining student loan debt and cannot be in default on any federal student loans. Public defenders and assistant district attorneys must be full-time employees, working at least 30 hours per week, for a period of one year as of December 31, 2020.

To apply for the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, click here.

About LOSFA

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, strives to be Louisiana's first choice for college access by promoting, preparing for and providing equity of college access.

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