The Laurie M. Tisch Loan Repayment Assistance Program at Cardozo benefits Cardozo J.D. graduates who have chosen to pursue careers in public service by providing “forgivable loans” to assist them in overcoming their educational debt. 

In 2021 a total of $98,250 was awarded to 33 alumni who graduated in the prior 6 years. They were provided awards ranging from $1,000 - $9,750, assisting with their non-federal student loan payments during the timeframe of the U.S. Department of Education's COVID-19 federal loan suspension. 

*PLEASE NOTE*

The pause on federal student loan payments and accruing interest is ending. Federal student loan interest will resume starting on September 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October 2023. 

Please feel free to review the Department of Education's FAQs regarding this matter: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/debt-relief-info#frequently-asked-questions-about-payments-resuming  - scroll down to the FAQs About Payments Resuming section.

In light of the return of federal student loan payments and interest, Cardozo's LRAP is planning on providing funding once again for eligible graduates toward federal student loans with the forthcoming 2023 LRAP cycle. The 2023 LRAP application and updated program details will be added to Cardozo's LRAP website shortly after federal student loan payments have officially resumed in October 2023. 

We are anticipating providing financial assistance towards federal and non-federal student loan payments for eligible graduates starting with the 2023 LRAP cycle. 

Reminder: paused federal loan payments since March 2020 count toward PSLF as long as you have been meeting all other PSLF qualifications. Read more HERE. 

*2022 LRAP*

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible?

J.D. Graduates who qualify may apply to the Program within six years of graduation.  Thus, graduates who received a J.D. from Cardozo in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, & 2021 are eligible. Graduates must reapply annually and can continue to receive funding pending continuing eligibility. 

Are there any exceptions to the eligibility requirements?

Graduates from the class of 2015 who clerked for a judge following graduation and then entered public service are also eligible to apply. Additionally, graduates may apply for a “leave of absence” for up to 1 year under certain circumstances (i.e. medical leave or parental leave).  Thus, holding the “leave” year in abeyance and allowing for an additional year to apply for the program. The Graduate must inform the LRAP Committee prior to taking the “leave”, and it is in the discretion of the LRAP Committee whether to grant a “leave”.

What kinds of jobs are eligible?

A paid full-time law-related job that, in the sole determination of Cardozo, is of a public service nature, qualifies.  A "law-related" job is one that, as determined by Cardozo, uses the applicant's legal training to a significant extent.  "Public Service" jobs may include legal aid societies, public defenders' offices, district attorneys' offices, legal services offices, governmental agencies, private non-profit organizations dedicated to public interest law, international human rights organizations, and clinical law teaching jobs.  Graduates serving as term judicial clerks are only eligible to apply after they have completed their clerkship and are employed in a qualified public service job. Their eligibility to apply will be held in abeyance during their judicial clerkship. For example, 2020 graduates who are currently clerking do not qualify; however, they can apply for the six years following their clerkship if all other eligibility requirements are met. Please note:  A volunteer position does not qualify for LRAP.

What are the income requirements?

Please see the table below. If your salary exceeds these parameters and/or you possess exigent circumstances, please include a detailed explanation and supporting documentation with your LRAP application, and the committee will take it under consideration.

Graduation Year   Salary Cap

• 2021                  $74,000
• 2020                  $76,000
• 2019                  $78,000
• 2018                  $80,000
• 2017                  $82,000
• 2016                  $84,000

What are the debt burden guidelines?

Graduates who meet the income requirements must have an individual accumulated educational debt burden of $60,000 or more. 

What kinds of loans may be included in the computation of indebtedness?

All documented undergraduate and graduate educational student loans (except personal loans from family or friends) in active repayment status are included. These student loan types include Federal (see below regarding the current federal suspension - which encompasses Stafford, Graduate PLUS, Consolidated), Perkins, Private (Alternative), Refinanced, and Institutional. Eligible loan types must be officially considered a "student loan". Loans that have been refinanced by home equity loans, non-student loan bank loans, or family/parent loans, are not eligible for LRAP assistance! 

Do I need to reapply for LRAP funding each year?

Yes. The Laurie M. Tisch LRAP program is administered annually. Eligible applicants MUST apply every year for LRAP funding. Prior recipients are eligible to apply every year provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

ASSISTANCE

How much assistance is a participant eligible to receive?

Loan repayment assistance will be awarded in varying amounts. The committee assesses the individual need of eligible applicants by reviewing the applicant’s income, resources, monthly student loan obligation, and monthly expenses. In addition, the committee reviews all additional materials submitted by the applicant that are relevant to the individual's financial circumstances. Funding amounts also depend upon the number of eligible applicants during each funding cycle. In 2021, awards ranged from $1,000 - $9,750.

How many awards will be made?

Please note, no representation is or can be made as to the number of grants or the amounts thereof that will be made in any year or during the continuation of this program, which may be discontinued at any time without notice.

How will awards be made?

LRAP awards are made in the form of a forgivable loan. The recipients will sign a promissory note for this loan and MUST retain eligibility for 1 year in order to have the loan forgiven. Recipients maintain eligibility during the LRAP cycle by remaining in qualified employment, with an eligible salary, and showing that their student loan payments continue to be in active repayment consistent with the amount indicated upon their initial application. Recipients will be notified to submit required documentation regarding eligibility for forgiveness 1 calendar year following disbursement of the award. 

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Who will decide who receives a grant?

A committee made up of Cardozo School of Law administrators has been designated by the Dean of the Law School to review applications and determine eligibility.  All applications will be kept in strict confidence.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Please carefully read through ALL of the application materials.

Due to the U.S. Department of Education's continued suspension of all federal student loan payments and interest, which is currently set to expire on December 31, 2022, at this time, Cardozo's 2022 LRAP cycle will only be considering applications for financial assistance towards non-federal student loans (i.e. - private and institutional student loans) that are currently in active repayment. 

Should the federal student loan suspension officially expire on December 31, 2022, triggering active repayment and interest on all federal student loans, we will open up the 2022 LRAP cycle to include financial assistance for federal student loans. An email notification will be sent at that time once we post the additional 2022 LRAP application to our website. 

If the DOE extends the federal student loan suspension to continue past December 31, 2022, then the 2022 LRAP cycle will continue to only provide assistance for non-federal student loan payments, until further notice. We will continue to provide updates about Cardozo's 2022 LRAP cycle, including any opportunity for supplemental applications for financial assistance with federal student loans, as additional information is provided by the DOE about the expiration of the suspension of federal student loan payments and interest.

• September 23, 2022:  2022 LRAP Application available HERE. 
• October 19, 2022:  2022 LRAP Application DEADLINE.  Part 1 of the application must be completed and submitted online by October 19, 2022. Part 2 of the application (supporting documentation) must be submitted via email to cardozolrap@yu.edu by October 19, 2022. 
• On or about November 1, 2022:  Award notification letters e-mailed to eligible recipients.
• On or about December 15, 2022:  Awards are disbursed to eligible recipients.