The American Bar Association reported in 2021 that young lawyers in the United States have an average of $108,000 of law school debt. In an effort to assist those lawyers who have dedicated their practice to public service, North Carolina Legal Education Assistance Foundation is offering public service attorneys the opportunity to apply for loan repayment assistance. Decisions will be based on debt load and income.

The application period closes December 3, 2021!

Before applying, please review the following eligibility requirements:

An applicant must be employed full time in North Carolina in a public interest field.
An applicant must have earned a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school and be a licensed member in good standing of the North Carolina State Bar.
Preference will be given to applicants with ten (10) years or less of active practice of law. These ten (10) years need not be consecutive.
An applicant’s Annual Gross Income (AGI) from all sources must not exceed $85,000.00 for a single person or $150,000.00 for a couple (spouses and domestic partners included) in the Adjusted Gross Income category of your most recent income taxes. Line 21 on Form 1040A.
An applicant must currently have at least $10,000.00 remaining in law school debt.

If you meet the above eligibility requirements, this link will bring you to the application page for NC LEAF: https://ncleaf.org/apply-now/. Thank you for your service!

November 19, 2021/by NCBA YLD