FY22 John R Justice Student Loan Repayment Grant

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's (EOPSS) Office ofGrants and Research (OGR) is the Governor's designated agency responsible for administration of the John R. Justice Grant Program for FY 2022. The FY 2022 application represents a collaboration of EOPSS, the Massachusetts District Attorneys' Association (MDAA), the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO), the Federal Public Defenders Office (FPDO), and the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS).

Massachusetts will continue to utilize John R. Justice Grant Program funds to retain talented prosecutors and defenders statewide. As outlined in the John R. Justice Grant Program Narrative, the Commonwealth will continue to provide equal funding to eligible prosecutors and defenders with the least ability to repay eligible student loans. Funds will also be allocated with an eye toward geographic diversity. EOPSS will accomplish its goals by adhering to a screening and ranking process of eligible applicants. Outreach to prospective applicants will be conducted and a review panel consisting of EOPSS staff and other interested agency representatives will review the ranking of applicants. Applicants will be asked to submit an application, provide supporting documentation on loans, and submit a recent FedLoan Report. Awards will be based on applicants with the least ability to repay loans as well as geographic diversity.  The award (minus 10% allowed for administration of the grant) will be made available for prosecutors from the Commonwealth's eleven District Attorney's Offices and the AGO and defenders from CPCS and FPDO with the goal of even distribution between prosecutors and defenders.