Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for contract attorneys announcement

The Office of the State Public Defender announces a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Effective on April 15, the Office of the State Public Defender can begin certifying employment for contract attorneys for the purposes of obtaining loan forgiveness through the Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

This certification is available for attorneys who contract with or have contracted with the State Public Defender. SPD Certification is retroactive to the program's initiation in October 2007. Contract attorneys can request certification for any period from October 2007 onward given that the certification period is at least one month.

Privately practicing attorneys who average 30 or more hours per week of criminal or juvenile appointments may be eligible for public loan forgiveness.

For more information about PSLF and the justice system, please visit this link. Questions about this process should be directed to the Office of the State Public Defender at the email address: [email protected].

The easiest way to apply for certification is by using the PSLF Help Tool located at this U.S. Department of Education website.

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