Overview

Since 2006, the ��è��Ƶ (��è��Ƶ) has supported attorneys employed full-time by ��è��Ƶ-funded legal services programs (��è��Ƶ grantees) in repaying student loan debt incurred for undergraduate, graduate, and legal education. The Herbert S. Garten Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) remains a key tool for ��è��Ƶ grantees to recruit and retain talented attorneys committed to public service.

The 2026 LRAP Application opened on April 22, 2026.

Application Timeline

Event	Date
LRAP Program Announcement	April 16, 2026
Application Opens	April 22, 2026
2026 LRAP Introductory Webinar	April 23, 2026
2026 LRAP Office Hours Session	May 13, 2026
Application & Registration Closes	May 20, 2026
(Internal) Application Review	May 20, 2026 – June 12, 2026
Award Announcements	June 15, 2026

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Program Rules for Participating Attorneys

2026 LRAP Program Description

Since 2006, the ��è��Ƶ (��è��Ƶ) has supported attorneys employed full-time by ��è��Ƶ-funded legal services programs (��è��Ƶ grantees) in repaying student loan debt incurred for undergraduate, graduate, and legal education. The Herbert S. Garten Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) remains a key tool for ��è��Ƶ grantees to recruit and retain talented attorneys committed to public service.

Important Update for 2026

Beginning with the 2026 cycle, ��è��Ƶ has restructured LRAP from an up-front, lump-sum award to a reimbursement-based program. Under this model, selected attorneys may receive reimbursements for qualifying student loan payments they make while employed full-time by an ��è��Ƶ grantee, subject to eligibility requirements and the availability of funds.

For 2026, eligible participants may receive up to $10,000 total, disbursed across two defined Employment Periods during the calendar year.

Call to Action

See the 2026 Program Description

Eligibility Requirements

An attorney must meet all of the following requirements at the time of application:

Be employed full-time as a licensed attorney in good standing at an ��è��Ƶ grantee organization.
Have a start date of January 1, 2021, or later.
Have a reasonable expectation of continued full-time employment with the same ��è��Ƶ grantee for up to three (3) years.
- This does not require a guarantee of employment and does not disqualify attorneys in term-limited or grant-funded positions, provided there is a reasonable expectation of continued employment.
Have no more than five (5) years (60 cumulative months) of prior employment as an attorney at one or more ��è��Ƶ grantee organizations.
Carry at least $75,000 in outstanding eligible student loan debt (as described below).

Additional Application Considerations

Attorneys may apply regardless of participation in other loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs).
Participation in another LRAP will not reduce the ��è��Ƶ award; however, applicants must disclose:
- The name of the other program
- The amount received
- Proof that those funds were applied to eligible loans

Ineligibility Criteria

An attorney is not eligible to participate in the 2026 LRAP if they:

1. Have received ��è��Ƶ’s Herbert S. Garten LRAP assistance covering thirty-six (36) months or more, cumulatively.

2. Defaulted on a prior ��è��Ƶ LRAP award.

3. Have a start date of December 31, 2020, or earlier

4. Included a prior ��è��Ƶ LRAP award as a dischargeable debt in bankruptcy.

5. Failed to complete required closeout or certification obligations for any prior ��è��Ƶ LRAP cycle (applicable to returning applicants beginning with 2023 recipients).

2026 Employment Periods and Reimbursement Process

Beginning with the 2026 cycle, ��è��Ƶ has restructured LRAP from an up-front, lump-sum award to a reimbursement-based program. Under this model, selected attorneys may receive reimbursements for qualifying student loan payments they make while employed full-time by an ��è��Ƶ grantee, subject to eligibility requirements and the availability of funds.

For 2026, eligible participants may receive up to $10,000 total, disbursed across two defined Employment Periods during the calendar year.

II. Award Structure and Employment Periods

LRAP reimbursements for 2026 correspond to the following Employment Periods:

Employment Period #1: January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026
Employment Period #2: July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

An attorney may request reimbursement of qualifying loan payments of up to:

$5,000 per Employment Period; and
$10,000 total for the year.

��è��Ƶ will issue reimbursements after the close of each Employment Period, once the attorney submits the required documentation and the employing organization confirms the attorney’s eligible employment status.

If total reimbursement requests from eligible attorneys exceed available funding, ��è��Ƶ may use a lottery system to select participants.

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How to Apply

Required Upload: Law School Loan Documentation

Submitting Law School Loan Documentation

To complete the application, newapplicants must upload current undergraduate, graduate, and legal education loan documentation to the Attachments Tab > Attachments Section of the application record in GrantEase.

New applicants are required to pull their loan documentation from Federal Student Aid, which will provide guidance on how to create an FSA ID with the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can view their complete loan information, including a breakdown of all their loans (and a history of any loan consolidation). Applicants can find detailed information about accessing their loan documentation and which documents to submit in GrantEase in the 2026 LRAP Application Guide.

The LRAP application is not complete until the applicant has uploaded their current loan documentation AND clicked Submit Application.

Application Materials and Resources

The LRAP 2026 cycle, ��è��Ƶ has transitioned the LRAP from an upfront lump-sum award to a reimbursement-based model, allowing eligible attorneys to receive funds for qualifying student loan payments made while employed full-time by an ��è��Ƶ grantee. Participants may receive up to $10,000 annually, distributed as up to $5,000 per Employment Period (January–June and July–December 2026), contingent upon eligibility and funding availability. Reimbursements are issued after each period upon submission of required documentation and employment verification, and a lottery system may be used if requests exceed available funds.

We encourage you to apply. If you are interested, you can find more information about the LRAP cycle and application process in the following resources:

First-time Applicants

All applicants need to have an account in ��è��Ƶ’s grants management system, GrantEase. New applicants will have to register for an account in GrantEase and create an individual user account, following these steps:
Go to www.grantease.lsc.gov.
In the top right-hand side of the screen, click on REGISTER.
Select INDIVIDUAL. Please do not click on Organization.
Click on BEGIN REGISTRATION.
Enter your ��è��Ƶ grantee organization name (you can use the search tool to find name)
Enter your ��è��Ƶ grant ID number. Use this list to find your ��è��Ƶ grantee’s ID: ��è��Ƶ's Grantees Six-Digit ID's 7. Enter the Applicant Information, including name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Enter Bar Admission Information (State(s), Month(s), Year, and License Number(s).
If you are unable to add your name, this may be because you are not listed as a staff member in GrantEase, which could be because you
have started after January 1. If this is the case, please reach out to LRAP@lsc.gov and we work with you to ensure you are added.
Once, you have finished adding information, check for accuracy and click SAVE and CONTINUE.
You will receive a notification email about the status of your registration and next steps.

NOTE: It may take 3-5 days for new applicants to complete their GrantEase individual user registration. Please plan accordingly.

Returning Applicants

Returning applicants can use the same login information from prior applications. Please note it may take from 3-5 business days to complete the GrantEase account process. If you are locked out of your account, please email GrantEaseSupport@lsc.gov and someone will help you log in.

Returning applicants for the 2026 grant cycle should have received an email about the 2026 LRAP cycle on April 15, 2026. If you did not receive this email, please check your spam and trash folders before reaching out for assistance at LRAP@lsc.gov.
Returning applicants will need to submit a full application and demonstrate continued employment with the same ��è��Ƶ grantee and continue to meet other eligibility requirements. There is no guarantee that an eligible attorney will receive funds for a second or third year. Returning applicants should refer to the 2026 LRAP Application Guide for more information about eligibility, the LRAP process, and applying for an LRAP award.

Accepting Applications Grant Program Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

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richardsons@lsc.gov

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

How to Apply for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Overview

Application Timeline

Important Update for 2026

Eligibility Requirements

Ineligibility Criteria

II. Award Structure and Employment Periods

Submitting Law School Loan Documentation

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Overview

Application Process

Reimbursement Award and Payment Process

Closeout Process

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