In 1997, as part of a rigorous Strategic Planning Process, CLS sought to identify ways in which they could strengthen their recruitment and retention practices. Staff attorneys suggested implementing a loan repayment assistance program (LRAP) as one way to meet these goals. In response, CLS adopted an LRAP to support their employees and ensure CLS could continue attracting top candidates and retain their current attorneys.
CLS' LRAP can be used to payoff educational debts accrued while completing law school. Part-time employees are eligible for this program on a pro-rated basis. Participants may receive up to $200 per month of assistance which is provided to the participant as a loan that is forgiven over a two year period. Fifty percent of the loan is forgiven one year after payment and the remainder is forgiven two years after payment. Employees may participate in this program as long as they are employed by CLS. If an employee leaves CLS prior to paying off all loans, employees are required to repay CLS for any outstanding loans paid by CLS but not yet forgiven plus 5% annual interest.
To ensure fiscal accountability, CLS allotted a fixed amount of funds specifically for loan assistance. In the event requests by CLS employees exceed the allotted amount, loan assistance would be distributed to employees on a pro-rated basis. To learn more about CLS' LRAP, access the program guidelines below as a PDF document.
Contact Information:
Lillian O. Johnson Executive Director Community Legal Services 305 S. Second Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85003 Phone: (602) 258-3434 ext. 230/228 Fax: (602) 253-1536 Email
LSC:
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