LRAP 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Disclaimer: This document is not intended to be and should not be regarded as a contract. The Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) is not an entitlement; eligibility and selection are determined by the Columbia Journalism School (CJS) LRAP Committee, at its discretion, and funds are distributed on a funds-available basis. All determinations made by the CJS LRAP Committee are final. No appeals will be considered. CJS reserves the right to restructure, terminate or cancel the LRAP at any time.
    1. Alumni from which schools are eligible to apply for the LRAP?

    Students who have graduated from the following schools with a degree in journalism are eligible to apply: Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Northwestern University-Medill, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication.
    2. What is the Loan Repayment Assistance Program and how can it help me?

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is designed to help alleviate the financial burden associated with repaying education loans while pursuing a career in a U.S. local newsroom, which typically pay lower salaries than standard news media companies.
    3. How does the Loan Repayment Assistance Program work?

    After you graduate, you will start receiving bills to pay back your student loans. If you have graduated, you may apply to the Loan Repayment Assistance Program and if you meet the eligibility requirements and your application is approved (including loan certification by your school’s Financial Aid Office), the LRAP will lend you money, in the form of a forgivable loan, to help you pay back your loans.
    4. Does it matter what type of educational loans I borrow - federal or private?

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is to cover federal and private loans to be used to pay the costs of attending and pursuing journalism degrees at Columbia Journalism School (CJS), Northwestern University-Medill, the Cronkite School at Arizona State University and Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication that are certified by the applicable Financial Aid Office. If the Financial Aid Office at your school does not certify your federal or private student loan, then you are not eligible for LRAP.

    Loans eligible for LRAP must be in the student's name. For example, the Parent PLUS loan would not be eligible.
    5. Does it matter what type of degree I received?      

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is only available for federal and certain private loans taken out while pursuing a journalism degree, up to the standard cost of attendance as calculated by the applicable school each year.  

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program does not cover student loans from non-journalism degree programs.

    If the applicable Financial Aid Office does not certify the loan(s), then the loan is not eligible.    
     
    6. What is the contact for information regarding loans borrowed while pursuing the eligible degree at my particular school?

    Columbia Graduate School of Journalism: Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at apply.journalism@columbia.edu

    Northwestern University-Medill: Financial Aid Department at medillfinaid@northwestern.edu

    Cronkite School at Arizona State University: melanie.alvarez@asu.edu

    Morgan State University: diamond.mccready@morgan.edu
    7. Who is eligible to apply?

    Master of Science and Master of Arts graduates of Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Master of Science in Journalism graduates of Northwestern University-Medill, as well as Bachelor's and Master's graduates of the Cronkite School at Arizona State University and Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication who are:

    - employed full time (minimum 35 hours per week) at a qualified U.S. local newsroom      

    - within five years of their date of graduation      

    - in good financial standing with the applicable school and do not have any outstanding financial obligations to the applicable school

    For CJS dual-degree students, the date of graduation is defined as the date by which the applicant has completed the degree requirements of both schools.
    8. Can I apply for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program a few years after graduating?

    You can apply for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program within the first five years following your date of graduation from the journalism degree program. Graduates from the classes of 2021 through 2025 are eligible to apply this year.
    9. What kind of employment counts as being part of a "local newsroom?"            

    A local newsroom is defined as one primarily focused on covering news that is relevant to and directly impacts a specific, geographically defined community. Full-time employment requires working a minimum of 35 hours a week for a U.S. local newsroom.
    10. How is the assistance amount determined?

    The amount of annual loan assistance awarded to each alum is determined by the qualified education debt level and calculated annual earned and unearned income.  

    Applicants earning $70,000 or less annually are given priority for loan assistance, but all salary ranges are eligible to apply. Calculations of annual income include bonuses, commissions and housing allowances.

    Spousal income and dependents are not considered in determining loan assistance. Significant assets other than retirement accounts will be taken into consideration by the Committee when determining eligibility for loan assistance.  

    Other relevant criteria may be taken into consideration at the Committee's discretion.
    11. What is the annual award amount and how long can I receive assistance?

    For the accepted applicants, a maximum of $10,000 a year may be awarded for a maximum of three years.

    The number and amount of the awards will be determined by the size of the applicant pool, the amount of funds available for the program and amount borrowed.

    You are required to apply all funds disbursed to you through the Loan Repayment Assistance Program to the repayment of your loans in a single payment, even if the amount disbursed exceeds the repayment amount required by the loan servicer at that time. You are required to submit a monthly loan statement with your full name, which indicates the amount paid toward your loan, as proof of repayment.
    12. Can I receive assistance from the Loan Repayment Assistance Program while working in a part-time job, internship or fellowship, freelancing or volunteering?

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is available to graduates employed full time (minimum 35 hours per week) at a U.S. local newsroom. Additional categories:

    Part-time: Eligible if hours total 35 or more per week across multiple eligible newsrooms
    Fellowship/Internship: Eligible if employed full-time and job is in journalism in an eligible newsroom
    Freelancing: Not eligible because you would not be an employee of the news organization and full-time status could not be verified
    Volunteering: Not eligible

    Please note employees of Columbia University, Northwestern University, Arizona State University and Morgan State University are not eligible for this award.
    13. Can I participate in the Loan Repayment Assistance Program if I have already started making loan payments?

    Yes. This program is not offered in coordination with or as part of any federal program or other loan forgiveness program.
    14. Can I participate in the Loan Repayment Assistance Program if I have already consolidated my loans or am in default on my loans?

    Loans must be in repayment or grace status, as defined by the loan servicer, at the time of application. We will not consider loans in delinquent or default status. Refinanced loans are eligible, but applicants must submit a consolidation disclosure statement provided by the lender which shows the underlying loans.
    15. What happens if I receive Loan Repayment Assistance and my income or employment status changes?

    All changes in employment -- employment ends, hours changes (from full- to part-time) or any leave of absence (e.g., paternal/maternity/family leave) -- MUST be reported to the CJS LRAP Office within 10 days of the change.  

    Graduates will be required to repay any funds that were given to them for which they have later become ineligible. Please note that failure to repay the portion of the award for which you are no longer eligible will disqualify you from further participation in the Loan Repayment Assistance Program. The Committee reserves the right to make exceptions for special circumstances.
    16. How does the Loan Repayment Assistance Program impact my eligibility for other forms of financial aid or loan forgiveness programs?

    The Loan Repayment Assistance Program is not offered as part of any federal program or other loan forgiveness process.

    You will need to check with your loan servicer to determine the impact the Loan Repayment Assistance Program will have on its loan forgiveness program.
    17. Are awards from the Loan Repayment Assistance Program considered taxable income, and will I receive a tax form at the end of the year?

    Generally, if you are working in a government or 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, your LRAP award is not taxable. Otherwise, your award is taxable, and you should receive a Form 1099. Tax laws are subject to change and reporting requirements are bound by current tax law for the year of disbursement. You are advised to consult with a financial advisor regarding any tax implications for loan assistance awards. The CJS LRAP Office is not able to provide guidance on tax matters. Visit Columbia Student Financial Services tax information webpage for additional assistance. 
    18. How do I apply for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, and what documentation do I need to provide?

    Applicants are awarded funding for one year and must reapply to receive funding in subsequent years.

    Applicants need to submit the following to apply for the LRAP:

    - A completed Loan Repayment Assistance Program application.

    - A personal statement (not exceeding 500 words) describing your employer, the nature of your position, your reasons for taking the job, the contributions you hope to make to the organization using your journalism skills, your long-term career goals and how the LRAP, if awarded, will make a difference in your personal life and career trajectory. This information may be shared with program donors.

    - A current resume.

    - Verification of outstanding loan debt from lenders or servicers, including a summary statement of total outstanding loan balances, required monthly repayment, history of previous loan payments, and information about your repayment plan and expected payoff dates.

    - A certification form from your employer/supervisor indicating the start date of employment, the nature of your position, hours worked per week, and your annual salary (including any commission, bonuses or other financial remuneration).

    - A certification form from your school indicating degree obtained, major/area of study, year graduated, loan type and amount certified by the Financial Aid Office.

    - A copy of your most recent U.S. Federal Tax Return (1040), including all schedules and W-2 forms.

    - Most recent pay statement.

    - If your loans were refinanced: a consolidation disclosure statement provided by the lender, showing the underlying loans.

    - Student balance statement from LRAP participating institution
    19. How long does the application process take?

    After the application deadline passes, we will contact you if we have any questions or if any documents are needed, and eligibility decisions will be released during the first quarter of the new year.
    20. How are the funds disbursed, and when can I expect to receive assistance?

    Payments for each annual award are disbursed as interest-free loans from Columbia Journalism School in one installment in January, which covers the period of January 1 to December 31. Disbursements will be made available via direct deposit, further information will be provided at the time of disbursement.
    21. What are the terms and conditions of the Loan Repayment Assistance Program award?

    The loan is “forgiven” at the end of the one-year period provided you are still eligible under the terms outlined and have complied with all administrative procedures, including the submission of eligibility confirmation materials in May and if not applying for a subsequent year, an additional eligibility confirmation submission in October.

    If selected for loan repayment assistance, you will receive an award letter and a promissory note from the CJS LRAP Office. Your award letter will state how much you have been awarded assuming that there is no change in your income, employment status or debt levels.

    In order to accept the award, you will need to sign the promissory note and return it to the CJS LRAP Office. You will also need to submit eligibility confirmation materials, including evidence of payment to your lender, in early May (see FAQ 22).  Prior to submitting those materials it is your responsibility to pay the full amount of your award to the lender or loan servicer.

    During the application process, or the period between the receipt of the application materials and the disbursement of the loan assistance payment, you must continue to make all required loan payments.

    Each disbursement of funds from the Loan Repayment Assistance Program is made with the understanding that you will remain employed by the eligible organization described in the application for the full year. Any change in job, salary or number of hours (from full- to part-time) must be immediately reported to the CJS LRAP Office. You will be required to repay any funds advanced for which you have later become ineligible, at an amount prorated to the day that you became ineligible. If the funds are not repaid, you will no longer be eligible for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
    22. What is the Eligibility Confirmation process?

    Graduates who have received loan assistance must submit confirmation materials after receipt of the award in order to continue to qualify for assistance. The deadline to submit the Eligibility Confirmation materials is May 1.

    Please note that if you are not applying for an additional year of assistance you must submit the same confirmation materials by the October 1 application deadline. The following materials are required:

    1. Proof of annual income, such as a recent pay statement including year-to-date salary information.

    2. Proof of loan repayment in the form of a monthly loan statement from the lender or loan servicer with your full name, which indicates the full amount of the award paid toward your loan.

    If you have changed jobs, you will need to submit the following materials:

    1. An updated 2-3 page personal statement describing your employer, the nature of your position, your reasons for taking the job, the contributions you hope to make to the organization using your journalism skills and your long-term career goals. This information may be shared with third-party LRAP donors.

    2. A certification form from your employer/supervisor indicating the start date of employment, the nature of your position, hours worked per week, and your annual salary (including any commission, bonuses or other financial remuneration).   

    Materials must be received no later than May 1. The LRAP Committee will examine the information you provide, and if it is sufficient, they will cancel the promissory note that you received in your award disbursement. If the renewal materials indicate you are no longer employed with a qualifying organization, you will be notified and expected to repay an amount prorated to the day you became ineligible.
    23. What happens if I default on one of my educational loans while participating in the LRAP Program?

    Default status will automatically terminate participation in the Program; delinquent status will suspend participation in the Program until delinquency is resolved.
    24. How do I apply my LRAP award to my student loan?

    You must pay the entire award amount as one lump sum toward your student loan, applying the entire amount to the principal balance.
    25. How does it work if I have to pay back some or all of my LRAP award?

    Repayment begins six months from the date you become ineligible for LRAP. If you pay back the full amount owed within those first six months, you are charged 0% interest. After six months from becoming ineligible, repayment includes a 5% interest rate, offering a 24-month payment plan.
    26. Can LRAP assistance be calculated retroactively?

    No, LRAP assistance will not be calculated retroactively.

    Questions about the Loan Repayment Assistance Program can be directed to the CJS LRAP Office via email at lrap-journalism@columbia.edu or call 212-854-8608.
    27. If my application wasn’t approved, can I apply again?

    Applicants who have been turned down for loan repayment assistance may reapply in the next program year provided they meet all eligibility requirements for the LRAP.
    28. Is the LRAP a permanent program?

    CJS reserves the right to terminate the program at any time, in its discretion.