Loan Forgiveness

Loan Forgiveness

The Law School is committed to making public service a viable career option for graduates who work in the public interest anywhere in the world. As a public institution of the Commonwealth, the Law School is also committed to enabling graduates to practice in underserved parts of Virginia, including in private practice. Graduates who enter qualifying employment within two years of graduation or within two years of completing a judicial clerkship are eligible to receive loan repayment assistance from the Law School. Virginia's loan forgiveness programs are funded primarily by generous donations from graduates of the Law School.

FAQs About the Virginia Loan Forgiveness Program
 

Updates to the Virginia Loan Forgiveness Program (VLFP III)

Starting in 2023, the program will help repay the loans of graduates who earn less than $100,000 annually. Participants in the program who earn less than $80,000 annually will receive benefits covering 100% of their qualifying law school loans. Those earning between $80,000 and $100,000 will receive benefits prorated based on income. In addition, all graduates working in paid positions necessitating the use of legal skills will be eligible for benefits. More details will be posted on the site soon.

Virginia Loan Forgiveness Program (VLFP II)

For graduates employed in public service

For the Classes of 2013 and later, the Law School’s revised loan forgiveness program (VLFP II) helps repay the loans of graduates who earn less than $85,000 annually in public service positions. Participants in the program who earn less than $65,000 annually receive benefits covering 100 percent of their qualifying law school loans. In short, these participants pay nothing out of pocket toward loan repayment while in VLFP II. Those earning between $65,000 and $85,000 receive benefits prorated based on income. For the Classes of 2012 and earlier, the Law School maintains its original loan forgiveness program (VLFP I).

Virginia Loan Commonwealth Plan (VLCP II)

For graduates employed in private practice in Virginia

In 2014, benefits extended to graduates who work in private practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, focusing on an underserved part of the Commonwealth, were revised under the Virginia Loan Commonwealth Plan.

For the Classes of 2013 and later, under the terms of VLCP II, qualifying participants who earn less than $85,000 annually and who are employed in qualifying positions are eligible to receive financial assistance for repayment of law school loans.  VLCP II participants who earn less than $65,000 annually receive benefits equal to 100 percent of their loan repayment obligations under IBR or PAYE for their law school loans.  In short, these participants pay nothing out of pocket toward loan repayment while in VLCP II. The benefits for participants who earn more than $65,000 annually are prorated based on income.

Blue Cycle Applications, Orange Cycle Applications and Blue Cycle Recertification Form

There are two cycles for processing VLFP and VLCP applications. The VLFP and VLCP "Blue Cycle" benefit period will cover the 12-month period of January through December. The "Orange Cycle," which covers the six-month period of July through December, accommodates graduates who secure employment later in the year, those with shorter-term plans and those who need flexibility in the VLFP or VLCP cycle. All Blue Cycle applicants will be required to submit an abbreviated mid-year recertification form by June 1. 

  • Blue Cycle Application - available each calendar year between October and December 1, via the VLFP portal.  The due date for submitting the Blue Cycle Application is December 1.
  • Blue Cycle Recertification Form - available each calendar year between April and June 1, via the VLFP portal.  All Blue Cycle applicants will be required to submit an abbreviated mid-year recertification form that allows applicants to update information that has changed subsequent to the initial submission of their Blue Cycle Application.  The due date for submitting the Blue Cycle Recertification form is June 1.
  • Orange Cycle Application -  available each calendar year between April and June 1, via the VLFP portal.  The due date for submitting the Orange Cycle Application is June 1. 

 

 

BENEFIT PERIOD

APPLICATION DUE

ESTIMATED BENEFIT
DISBURSEMENT DATE

Blue Cycle

Jan. 1-Dec. 31

Dec. 1

February

Orange Cycle

July 1-Dec. 31

June 1

August

 

Helpful Resources

Nathan Hittle

"I started at the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office directly out of law school. I find the work to be varied, impactful, service-oriented and, with few exceptions, especially entertaining. If you are interested in how the law directly impacts people and communities, for better and for worse, then this is a fantastic place to see that up close day-in and day-out. Without the Virginia Loan Forgiveness Program, I could not have pursued this as a career path."

—Nathan Hittle '12, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office