2/07/01--Boston College Law School's commitment to loan repayment assistance for graduates pursuing public interest careers reached record levels in the year 2000.

In late December, the scholarship committee awarded over $91,250 in loan repayment assistance to new and recent alumni who are currently practicing public interest law. A total of 21 people received Willier awards (15 renewals and six new applicants), according to the committee. Awards range from $1,500 to $6,000, with a median amount of $5,000.

"The committee is very pleased to report that it met its goals of making an award to every eligible candidate," said Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Elizabeth Rosselot. "Together with the Drinan Family Fund award in the support of public interest law, the law school distributed over $100,000 in loan repayment assistance in 2000."

The types of public interest law represented ran the spectrum from the Committee for Public Council Services to the Federal Labor Relations Board. Eleven work for legal service organizations, six for District Attorney offices and the remainder for other government or qualifying organizations. For recipients with no dependents, incomes range from $27,200 to $45,000. The lowest debt for anyone in the program is $9,622; the highest is about $106,000. Participants are eligible to remain in the Willier program until their income in public sector employment exceeds $50,000. Two of this year's recipients have been in the program for five years.

BCLS is committed to assisting its graduates in pursuing careers in the public interest. The Law School was recognized by National Jurist Magazine as having one of the top 20 public interest law programs nationwide. The Law School was also listed by NAPIL as among the top 25 law schools for commitment to loan repayment assistance.