Loan Repayment Assistance Program
A Long Initiative Comes to an End
For more than ten years, DePaul University College of Law students, alums, faculty and administration have planned to start a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) at the school. Motivated by the school's Vincentian mission and their own commitment to social justice, these advocates met, strategized, drafted proposals, and began to raise money and awareness. After a decade of false starts, the DePaul LRAP is about to become a reality.
Overcoming Financial Woes
Not surprisingly, the largest hurdle has been a financial one. In order for LRAP to be viable, enough money must be raised to create a fund endowment. This continues to be an uphill battle, as many donors are not familiar with LRAPs, where others are more comfortable giving to established funds like scholarships. Potential donors have to be educated about the LRAP. College of Law Dean Glen Weissenberger, has single-handedly gotten the LRAP off to an excellent start by earmarking his personal $25,000 contribution to the law school for the LRAP fund. With other contributions, the fund has now reached endowed fund status. Development Director Trish Richardson Roth has also been instrumental in the program's success and continues to cultivate and educate potential LRAP donors.
312.362.7212