Pennsylvania's FY23 John R Justice Loan Repayment Program

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), the State Administering Agency for federal criminal, juvenile and victims services funding, has been selected by our Governor to administer the John R. Justice (JRJ) Loan Repayment program.

The goal of this program is to provide law school loan debt relief to selected full time county prosecutors and public defenders that are determined to have the least ability to repay their loans. PCCD will publicize the availability of the funds, with the assistance of the prosecutor and defender associations, and through normal communication channels between the associations and its membership, and through postings on the associations and PCCD’s website (www.pccd.pa.gov). 

Previous recipients of JRJ awards will be given priority for receiving 2023 funds. PCCD will utilize a two-stage application process.  Potential applicants will use a pre-application template made available on PCCD’s website to determine their eligibility. PCCD will select prosecutors and public defenders to receive awards who demonstrate the greatest need. Selected individuals will complete a formal application to include income verification, school loan verification and a John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program Service Agreement. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has been retained to administer loan repayments.