Loan Repayment Assistance Program

The purpose of Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is to assist graduates in repaying their annual student loan debt. Participants working in the public sector (including government employment and employment with non-profits) and earning up to $60,000--for single applicants--and $80,000 for married applicants (and those with registered domestic partners)--may apply to the program.

Applicants may receive coverage for a total of five years.

The LRAP program, initially called the Loan Forgiveness Program, was established in 1987. Since that time, many revisions have taken form including a name change to more accurately reflect the mission of the program. In 2001, the household income cap has increased from $32,000 to $50,000, which is the largest increase the program has ever received at one time. This change is retroactive to include the graduates of 2000. Students graduating before 2000 should contact the Student Financial Services Office for eligibility guidelines. In 2007 the salary cap was raised to $60,000. International graduates who have borrowed student loans certified by the Harvard Kennedy School are also eligible to participate.

While we hope to provide assistance to all applicants, funding is limited. We reserve the right to change the terms of the program and to limit participation in the program at our discretion. Receiving funds in the past should not be construed as a guarantee of continued funding even if you continue to meet the prior eligibility criteria. Limits on eligibility might include--but are not limited to--funding only a portion of an applicants' need, limiting the total years an applicant may participate in the program, and/or implementing annual maximum funding limits.

Applicants who are in default or are delinquent in their student loan payments or have a outstanding balance on their term bill are ineligible for the program. Only loans certified by the HKS for attendance at the school are eligible for consideration.

We hope the this program will assist students in defraying some of the burden of their educational loan debt. If you have any questions, please contact the LRAP Staff in the Student Financial Services Office.