Minnesota John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program for Public Defenders and Prosecutors

Abstract

The John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program (JRJSLRP) in Minnesota is administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE). As the governor-designated state administering agency, MOHE administers the program in a centralized manner thereby allowing a consistent and standard approach statewide. Applicants apply directly to the MOHE, which decides, based on the programmatic criteria set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice and the advice of the State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, which applicants should receive repayment awards.

The goal of the program is to provide student loan repayment assistance to prosecutors and public defenders in order to help them manage their student loan debt burden, encourage them to pursue public service careers and retain them as prosecutors and public defenders. Minnesota received its first JRJSLRP award in Federal Fiscal Year 2010. At that time, 649 prosecutors and 493 state and federal public defenders were employed in the state.  Currently, there are 824 prosecutors and 513 state and federal public defenders employed in the state (Source: Minnesota County Attorney Association and Minnesota Board of Public Defense).