The John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program offers financial assistance to help pay off student loans for public defenders and prosecutors. To benefit, these legal professionals must agree to work in their roles for at least three more years. The program is managed by state agencies, which receive funds to run statewide initiatives.
Who it's for: This grant is for state governments that will use the funds to assist local and state prosecutors, as well as local, state, and federal public defenders. These legal professionals must be willing to commit to an additional three years of service to qualify for loan repayment assistance.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not a state government
- Beneficiaries not committing to three years of service
- Applications submitted after the deadline
- Incomplete applications
- Beneficiaries not being prosecutors or public defenders
What You May Need
- Proof of state government status
- Governor's designation of a state agency to administer the program
- Plan for soliciting applications from eligible beneficiaries
- Documentation of beneficiaries' employment status
- Commitment agreements from beneficiaries
- Loan information of beneficiaries
- Statewide program administration plan
Cautions
- Beneficiaries must commit to three years of service
- Funds are administered by state agencies, not directly to individuals
- Applications must be submitted by the deadline
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants are state governments. These governments will administer the program through state agencies designated by the governor. The program is intended to benefit local and state prosecutors, as well as local, state, and federal public defenders who agree to continue their service for at least three more years.
Overview
This grant is for state governments that will use the funds to assist local and state prosecutors, as well as local, state, and federal public defenders. These legal professionals must be willing to commit to an additional three years of service to qualify for loan repayment assistance.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not a state government
- Beneficiaries not committing to three years of service
- Applications submitted after the deadline
- Incomplete applications
- Beneficiaries not being prosecutors or public defenders
Use of Funds
Funds are used to provide partial repayment of student loans for eligible public defenders and prosecutors. The repayment is made directly to the loan service provider of the beneficiary.
Cost Sharing
Not Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Sep 25, 2026
- Deadline
- Nov 3, 2026(33 days)
Application Checklist
- Verify state government eligibility
- Obtain governor's designation for a state agency
- Develop a plan to solicit applications from eligible beneficiaries
- Collect employment verification from beneficiaries
- Secure commitment agreements from beneficiaries
- Gather loan information from beneficiaries
- Prepare a statewide program administration plan
- Submit application by November 3, 2026