The USD School of Law administration, faculty and students have created a Loan Assistance Repayment Program (LRAP) to assist students choosing public interest law as a career in repaying their law school loans. Many interests worthy of protection — including those of low-income individuals, the environment, children and other diffuse and unorganized interests — are underrepresented or unrepresented in our legal system. Public interest lawyers working for legal services and other nonprofit organizations ensure that these interests have access to representation in our legal system.
However, this commitment of public interest training is partially mooted by a tuition-loan burden which inhibits postgraduate practice to benefit society. That’s where USD's LRAP comes in, helping to remove financial barriers to careers in public interest law.
USD's Loan Repayment Assistance Program will be administered by USD's LRAP Governing Board. The board generally consists of the USD School of Law Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Associate Director of Career and Professional Development, the Administrative Director from the Center for Public Interest and the President of the Public Interest Law Foundation.
USD's LRAP Application - NOW OPEN
DEADLINE MAY 8, 2026 at 12PM
- Complete the online 2026 Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Application.
- Email to lawaid@sandiego.edu your 2025 Federal Tax Return and 2025 W-2s. If married, also include your spouse's 2025 Federal Tax Return (if separate) and W-2s. We recommend you password protect these confidential documents before attaching them to the email. Please be sure to send a separate email to provide the password. You may also mail or deliver in-person to USD School of Law Financial Aid Office at Warren Hall, Room 203, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego CA 92110.
- Complete and submit the Supplier Information/Substitute W9 Form and submit via email or by paper as described in #2 above.
- Complete Part A on the 2026 Employer Certification Form and have your employer complete Part B. This may be submitted via email or by paper as described in #2 above.
LRAP Program Terms
Participation in USD's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (USD LRAP or Program) requires qualifying employment of at least one year before payment is authorized and applicant must show proof of good standing.
- The program will pay a grant in one lump sum upon certification of eligibility. Since the program awards a grant, IRS regulations require that a form 1099 be issued at the end of the calendar year of the grant.
- All grant recipients are encouraged to contribute to and support USD's Loan Repayment Assistance Program at the School of Law. While there is no longer a requirement of repayment, recipients are encouraged to contribute to the continuation of the program when they are able to do so.
- It is the hope of the committee to award up to five grants of varying amounts each year. The exact amounts of the awards and the number of awardees will depend on the number of approved applications, the amount repaid during the year and available funding for the entire year.
Eligibility
USD's LRAP is available to law graduates in the graduating class of 1993 and thereafter. Graduates are eligible to participate in the Program if they:
- Work in full-time law or law-related positions with a nonprofit organization qualifying for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code for a minimum of one year. Some portion of the eligible employment must have occurred within the 12 months preceding the application deadline. At this time, employment with government agencies (including courts) is not qualifying employment.
- Earn income not more that $100,000 per year.
- Have law school student debt balance (including private loans). Undergraduate debt may not count toward the required law school debt requirement; however, it will be considered in determining the level of Program benefits available to an eligible graduate.
A. Exception to Full-Time Requirement
The USD LRAP Governing Board is authorized to make exceptions to the full-time employment requirement in Section IV (B) above for a maximum of two years, so long as the employment is not less than half time. A graduate applying for this exception must already be a participant in the Program, having satisfied the full-time employment requirement upon initial application. Examples of acceptable justifications for an exception to the full-time employment requirement include child or elder care responsibilities.
B. Funding
It is anticipated that the administration, students and alumni will engage in fundraising to support USD's LRAP. Funds raised for USD's LRAP shall be expended exclusively on USD's LRAP, and shall not be diverted to other uses.
C. Participation
Graduates are eligible for funding from USD's LRAP program for a maximum of five years. Students who leave USD's LRAP approved programs and file for funding again can participate for a total of 5 years.
D. Application
In order to be considered for continued funding, participants in the USD LRAP program must complete the annual application process and continue to have their eligibility confirmed by the USD LRAP Governing Board.
E. Previous Recipients
As of March 1, 1999 all loans subject to loan forgiveness under previous program guidelines are converted to grants.
F. Disclaimer
By implementing this Program, the University of San Diego School of Law makes no guarantee as to the future funding or permanent existence of this program. The School of Law reserves the right to terminate or modify the Program or any of its provisions at any time. Benefits will be paid only to the extent that funds are available and the Program continues to exist.
It is the intent of the USD LRAP to vary program benefits based on the graduate's ability to repay law school loans and the amount of funding available for USD's LRAP purposes. For example, an unmarried graduate with no assets making $75,000 per year in qualifying employment might be assisted to a greater degree than would a married graduate who makes $90,000 per year in qualifying employment and has spousal income assistance. Participating graduates will be required to complete standard financial aid forms and submit relevant financial documentation requested by the USD LRAP Governing Board. The calculation of program benefits will consider, among other things, the graduate's adjusted gross income (AGI) from federal tax forms, spousal income (if any), assets, number of dependents, and other financial obligations. If, based upon the above calculation, the Governing Board determines that a graduate is capable of repaying 100% of his/her loan obligation, then Program eligibility is terminated. Additionally, if a graduate's AGI exceeds $100,000 annually, program eligibility is terminated.