Overview
The purpose of the John R. Justice (JRJ) Student Loan Repayment Program is to encourage qualified individuals to enter into employment as prosecutors and public defenders and remain employed within their respective fields. The JRJ Student Loan Repayment Program is a federally-funded initiative that provides repayment of eligible educational loans on behalf of selected state and federal prosecutors and public defenders.
Annual payment amounts are dependent on the availability of federal funds for that year. The anticipated repayment benefits for each beneficiary cannot exceed $10,000.00 in a calendar year with a total aggregate not to exceed $60,000.00 or the current total of their eligible student loan debt, whichever is less.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to attorneys who are employed full-time as a prosecutor or public defender by one of the Commonwealth’s District Attorneys’ Offices, the Attorney General’s Office, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, or the Federal Public Defender Office. Appellate defenders, Appellate Assistant District Attorneys and Criminal Appellate Assistant Attorneys General are eligible to apply.
Applicants must execute a service agreement committing to continue working full-time as an eligible attorney for:
- three years (if a New Applicant);
- the remainder of the initial three-year agreement (if a Continuing Beneficiary); or
- one year (if a Prior Beneficiary who has fulfilled their initial three-Year JRJ Service Agreement).
Additional eligibility requirements are outlined in the Availability of Grant Funds (AGF).
Key Dates and Materials
Key Dates:
AGF Posted: March 19, 2024
Deadline for FAQ Submission: April 5, 2024
Application Due: April 26, 2024
Award Notification (Tentative): May 2024
Application Materials:
FY24 John R. Justice AGF (Updated 4/5/24 to include clarifying information)
FY24 John R. Justice Online Application
FY24 John R. Justice Employer Certification Form
FY24 John R. Justice Attachment A
FY24 John R. Justice Attachment B (first-time participants)
FY24 John R. Justice Attachment C (prior beneficiary/secondary term of service)
FY24 John R. Justice Attachment D (continuing beneficiary)
Additional Materials:
FY24 John R. Justice Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 4/5/24)