John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program (VA) Grant

John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program (VA) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Amount: Up to US $10,000
Last Updated: June 30, 2025

Summary

The John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, supports prosecutors and public defenders in Virginia by providing educational loan repayment benefits. With approximately $160,000 available, eligible beneficiaries can receive up to $10,000 each, incentivizing legal professionals to serve in critical roles within the criminal justice system. This program aims to enhance public safety by encouraging qualified attorneys to pursue careers in prosecution and public defense.

Overview

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is charged with planning and carrying out programs and initiatives to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the criminal justice system as a whole. The mission of the Department is to provide leadership to improve the criminal justice system in Virginia’s communities through effective training, partnerships, research, regulation, and support. Our vision is to be the national leader and Virginia's premier criminal justice agency, creating dynamic system-wide solutions for public safety. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services: Conducts research and evaluation on criminal justice issues;Develops short and long-term criminal justice plans;Distributes federal and state funding to localities, state agencies and nonprofit organizations in the areas of law enforcement, prosecution, crime and delinquency prevention, juvenile justice, victims services, corrections, and information systems;Provides training, technical assistance and program development services to all segments of the criminal justice system;Establishes and enforces minimum training standards for law enforcement, criminal justice, and private security personnel; andLicenses and regulates the private security industry in Virginia. The agency’s primary constituents are local and state criminal justice agencies and practitioners, private agencies, private security practitioners and businesses, and the public-at-large. Other constituents include local governments and state agencies, the federal government and advocacy groups/associations. DCJS is unique in state government because of its system-wide perspective on criminal justice. While it directs programs and services to each component of the system, it has an overarching responsibility to view the system as a whole, to understand how changes in one part of criminal justice will affect other parts, and to work to assure that plans and programs are comprehensive. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is one of 11 agencies within the Secretariat of Public Safety and Homeland Security. It is comprised of representatives from all aspects of the criminal justice system on both state and local levels of government, and most of its members are appointed by the Governor. John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) will provide educational loan repayment benefits to prosecutors and public defenders in Virginia, using federal funds available through the John R. Justice (JRJ) Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders and to continue in that service. DCJS has approximately $160,000 for benefits for a period of up to three years. Each selected beneficiary will receive up to $10,000 contingent on number of eligible beneficiaries. A beneficiary may not receive more than $60,000 in total lifetime benefits provided by JRJ grant funds.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Employment:Prosecutor – A full-time employee of a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office who is continually licensed to practice law and prosecutes criminal or juvenile delinquency cases in Virginia courts. This may also include supervision, education, or training of other persons prosecuting such cases.Public Defender – An attorney who is continually licensed to practice law, is a full-time employee of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, and who provides legal representation to indigent persons in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases. This may also include supervision, education, or training of other persons providing such representation. An attorney employed as a full-time federal defense attorney in Virginia is also eligible. Other Eligibility Requirements:A beneficiary must be employed in Virginia.A beneficiary must be employed full-time, which is not less than 75 percent of a fortyhour work week.A beneficiary must be continually licensed to practice law.A beneficiary must not be in default on repayment of any federal student loans. Eligible Student Loans:A loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20 (Federal Family Education Loan Program).A loan made under part C or D of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20 (William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan and Federal Perkins Loans).A loan made under section 1078-3 or 1087e(g) of Title 20 (Federal consolidation loans and Federal Direct Consolidation loans, respectively).

Ineligibility

Note: Elected officials are not eligible for JRJ funds. Prosecutors who are employees of the federal government are not eligible. Attorneys who are in private practice and not full-time employees of the Indigent Defense Commission or federal defenders are not eligible, even if they are court-appointed to provide indigent defense services. Ineligible LoansA loan made to the parents of a dependent student under section 428B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-2).A Federal Direct PLUS Loan made to the parents of a dependent student.A loan made under section 428C or 455 (g) of the higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3 Federal consolidation loans) and 1087e(g) (Federal Direct Consolidation loans) to the extent that such loan was used to repay a loan described in clause (i) or (ii) above.