John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program
JRJ Program
CSFA Number: 691-00-1390
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (691)
Agency Identification
0010
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
The John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayment assistance to encourage qualifying individuals to pursue careers as state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors to protect the rights of this State’s most vulnerable citizens or provide quality enforcement of State law.
Federal Authorization
Implementing Section 952 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (42 USC 3797cc-21) and Section 20(b) of the Illinois Higher Education Student Assistance Act [110 ILCS 947] and authorized by Section 20(f) of that Act.
Illinois Statue Authorization
Implementing Section 952 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (42 USC 3797cc-21) and Section 20(b) of the Illinois Higher Education Student Assistance Act [110 ILCS 947] and authorized by Section 20(f) of that Act.
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
23 ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CH. XIX, SEC. 2754
Objective
The program encourages qualifying individuals to pursue careers as state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors to protect the rights of this State’s most vulnerable citizens or provide quality enforcement of State law.
Eligible Applicants
Individuals;
Applicant Eligibility
A qualified applicant for loan repayment shall be:
a) a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen;
b) a licensed attorney in good standing with the Illinois bar;
c) a borrower who is not in default on a federal guaranteed educational loan;
d) a borrower with an outstanding balance due on an eligible educational loan;
e) employed as a public defender or prosecutor; and
f) required to enter into a Service Agreement in which the applicant, in exchange for
loan repayment assistance, promises to remain employed as a public defender or
prosecutor for an initial three-year term of service or any further term of service
identified in a subsequent Service Agreement .
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specific Use
Subject / Service Area
Education
Credentials / Documentation
N/A
Preapplication Coordination
N/A
Application Procedures
N/A
Criteria Selecting Proposals
N/A
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
N/A
Uses and Restrictions
This U.S. Department of Justice program is administered by ISAC in Illinois and is used to help prosecutor and public defender offices attract and retain talented attorneys by providing student loan repayment assistance to state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors who agree to remain in their positions for at least three years. The annual awards to qualified defenders and prosecutors may be up to $4,000, with an aggregate total of up to $60,000, to repay their student loan debt. The number of awards made through this program, as well as the individual dollar amount awarded, are subject to sufficient annual appropriations by the federal government. If the employment commitment is not fulfilled, any amount received must be repaid.
Account Identification
N/A
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
N/A
Program Accomplishments
The program encourages qualifying individuals to pursue careers as state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors to protect the rights of this State’s most vulnerable citizens or provide quality enforcement of State law.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program is exempt from the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (30 ILCS 708) because loans are repaid on behalf of an individual beneficiary.
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
Program Website
https://www.isac.org/
Published Date
12/28/2021
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2016 : $38,300
FY 2017 : $41,000
FY 2018 : $200,000
FY 2019 : $300,000
FY 2020 : $300,000
FY 2021 : $300,000
FY 2022 : $300,000
Federal Funding
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS