John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program

Overview

The John R. Justice Program is a federally funded grant program designed to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and continue in that service. The JRJ provides loan repayment assistance for local, state, and federal public defenders who commit to continued employment as public defenders and prosecutors for a minimum of three years.

The annual allocation to Alaska for 2014 is $50,000. The program funds are equally distributed between prosecutors and public defenders. Benefits to individual applicants will be awarded based on the applicant's eligibility.

Applicant Eligibility

Current applications for awards are due by close of business March 17th, 2014.

You must submit your application, preferably in electronic form, to:

Electronic PDF Form -

beth.goldstein@alaska.gov

Hard Copy -

Beth Goldstein
Supervising Attorney
Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance
900 West 5th Ave., Suite 525
Anchorage, AK 99501

A qualified applicant must:

• Be an attorney continually licensed to practice law and shall be a full-time employee of the State of Alaska (or unit of local government) who prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases at the state or unit of local government level or provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases.
• Have an outstanding balance on an eligible educational loan
• Not be in default on repayment of any federal student loans
• Make a commitment to a three-year service agreement

Program Procedures

All applicants must complete an application which must include the following:

1. Applicant Information Form
2. Employment Information Form
3. Income Information Worksheet
4. Loan Indebtedness  Worksheet
5. Certified Assurances Form

The final award of grant funds will be subject to the timely execution by the Applicant  of the required Service Agreement.