Work in a local newsroom and get help to pay back your student loans.
Our Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) — the first of its kind in the journalism industry — was announced by Columbia Journalism School Dean Jelani Cobb in 2023. The program may lend up to $10,000 a year to help you make your loan payments, and then forgive that loan. To date, LRAP has awarded more than $1 million in loan repayment assistance.
“[LRAP] is not only an investment in our alumni, or those of other institutions — it’s an investment in the future of democracy.” – Jelani Cobb, Columbia Journalism School Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism
This next phase of LRAP is made possible through a transformative $3 million gift from the Knight Foundation. In partnership with Knight and other journalism schools, Columbia Journalism is committed to reducing the burden of educational debt for alumni who are dedicating their careers to strengthening local newsrooms.
A Nationwide Partnership
Jacqueline Jones, Dean, Morgan State University School of Global Journalism & Communication
“Membership in Columbia Journalism School’s LRAP network expands what is possible for Morgan State University graduates, giving emerging journalists greater freedom to choose careers rooted in service rather than decisions driven by student loan debt. It is an investment not only in their futures, but also in the communities that depend on trusted, representative journalism to be informed, understood and heard.”
Dr. Battinto L. Batts Jr., Dean, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
"The LRAP program has been a game changer for our graduates who are committed to the cause of local journalism and need assistance making that financially feasible. Dean Cobb is a friend, colleague and true partner. We appreciate him and all of our friends at Columbia for facilitating Cronkite's participation in this program."
Hub Brown, Dean, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
"The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is proud to join this important initiative because we believe the best journalists should choose their careers based on passion and purpose, not student debt. By supporting graduates as they enter local newsrooms, we are investing in stronger journalism, better-informed communities and a stronger future for local news.”
Charles Whitaker, Dean, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
“Our democracy simply cannot thrive without local reporting. The LRAP program helps make it possible for journalists who study at Medill to fulfill this vital need. I could not be more proud of the work they are doing, nor more grateful to be a part of a program that is making it happen.”
Local newsrooms are under extraordinary pressure, needing to do more with less, while also striving to recruit talent to create newsrooms that reflect the communities served. Those entering journalism need to be highly skilled and committed to the public interest. Student debt and modest salaries make it difficult for journalism to compete for top talent with other professions. This program aims to change that.
LRAP is investing in helping graduates build careers in public-interest journalism. It underscores a commitment to ease the burden of educational debt for journalists starting their careers. LRAP also strengthens the newsrooms where our graduates work, while targeting financial barriers young journalists face.
LRAP gives recipients the financial freedom to choose work meaningful to them. It provides a safety net for those pursuing careers in public-interest journalism and aims to ensure that debt doesn’t hold them back from telling stories that matter.
LRAP is open to master’s degree graduates of Columbia Journalism School and Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, as well as bachelor's and master's degree graduates from the Cronkite School at Arizona State, Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication and University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
Specific requirements for potential recipients include:
- No outstanding financial obligations owed to their LRAP participating institution.
- Full-time employment (at least 35 hours per week) at a qualified U.S. 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.
- Degree granted by LRAP participating institution within the past ten years.
- Certification of student loan by degree-granting institution.
To be considered for LRAP, you must submit an application with all required supporting documentation. Your school must submit verification of your degree and loan information, and your current employer must submit verification of your employment status.
Applicants earning $70,000 or less annually will be given priority, though any salary range will be considered.
Required materials to be uploaded with the application:
- 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, 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. (500 word limit) - Current Resume
- Outstanding Loan Debt Verification
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. - Most Recent Tax Return
Copy of your most recent U.S. Federal Tax Return (1040), including all schedules and W-2 forms. - Most Recent Pay Statement
- Student Balance Statement From LRAP Participating Institution
- Consolidation Disclosure Statement*
Only required if your loans were refinanced. Statement provided by the lender, showing the underlying loans.
Required materials to be submitted by outside parties:
- Employment Verification
Certification from your employer (supervisor or HR representative) 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). - School Verification
Certification from your LRAP participating institution (designated school representative) indicating graduation date and degree information, as well as loan information including type, amount borrowed, outstanding balance and your financial standing with that institution.
Your employer (supervisor or HR representative) and school’s designated LRAP representative will be emailed instructions with how to submit their verification form, which will be uploaded directly to your application.
Graduates who receive loan assistance will be required to submit confirmation materials after receipt of the award in order to continue to qualify for assistance.
January-March:
- Receive decision and accept award, if approved
- Sign Master Promissory Note
- Set up deposit account
- Receive funds
May:
- Submit proof of full award amount toward loan payment
- Submit proof of continued employment status (W-2 or paystub)
October:
- Submit proof of continued employment status (W-2 or paystub)
- Reapply for the next year or provide exit documentation
What if you leave or change your job?
You may still be eligible for LRAP if your new job meets eligibility requirements.
- If your new job is eligible, the following will be required:
- Verification of last day by original employer
- Verification of job status (salary, title, etc.) by new employer
- Submission of updated documents for new job (resume, employer information statement)
- Re-evaluation by LRAP Committee
- If you will no longer qualify for the LRAP program, the following will be required:
- Verification of last day by employer
- Repayment of funds prorated from date of separation
Any change in job status including but not limited to end of employment, change in hours or a leave of absence must be reported to the LRAP Office immediately.
Graduates will be required to repay any funds that were given to them for which they have later become ineligible.
Your Career. Your Story. Your Future.
Multiplatform Producer, WFMY News 2
Greensboro, NC
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the LRAP program. Most journalists don't get into this field for money, but LRAP has given me the opportunity to focus on my professional goals without the burden of looming student loan payments."
Sports Reporter, The Arizona Republic
Phoenix, AZ
"Getting this award from Columbia has been a huge relief. Dreams once thought to be impossible are now more within reach thanks to this gift."
Faith and Culture Reporter, WBHM
Birmingham, AL
"It’s been such a relief! LRAP has made it possible for me to pursue career opportunities that excite me, without worrying about student debt!"
Health Care Reporter, The Gazette
Cedar Rapids, IA
"I'm deeply grateful to LRAP for taking some of that weight off of my shoulders, and giving me confidence I can sustain this job long-term. LRAP is a vote of confidence in me. But, more importantly, it's an investment in the people I serve."
Read more about the impact of LRAP in ‘A weight was lifted’: Journalism School awards $450,000 in loan repayment assistance to 45 graduates of journalism schools, from the Columbia Daily Spectator.
Contact the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Office: [email protected]du