Can CAAP Panel Attorneys Get PSLF? Here’s What to Know

Attorneys serving on the Alameda County Bar Association’s Court-Appointed Attorneys Program (CAAP) panel may now be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Recent regulatory changes have expanded eligibility to include certain contract attorneys – including CAAP panel members – who provide public defense in California.

PSLF and CAAP: What Changed?

The Department of Education’s updated PSLF regulations, effective July 1, 2023, recognize that in many states, including California, indigent defense is often provided by contractors rather than direct employees. Under these changes, attorneys who are independent contractors (such as those paid via IRS Form 1099) may now qualify for PSLF if they provide services that, under state law, cannot be performed by a government employee.

This includes CAAP attorneys in Alameda County who serve when the Public Defender’s Office has a conflict or cannot take a case. These court-appointed roles fulfill a constitutional mandate and are covered under the new PSLF guidelines.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Who Qualifies?

To be eligible, CAAP attorneys must:

• Provide indigent defense under contract with a qualifying public service employer;

• Work full-time (30 hours or more per week);

• Hold qualifying federal student loans (typically Direct Loans or consolidated federal loans);

• Make 120 on-time monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan.

Qualifying public service employers may include county agencies or nonprofit organizations like the Alameda County Bar Association that oversee contract panels.

How to Certify Your Work

Attorneys must submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form. The self-certification form provided in the PSLF for California Defenders guide (PDF) can help attorneys document eligibility.

Start Your PSLF Process Today

If you’re a CAAP attorney with federal student loans, this is a great time to explore PSLF eligibility. Visit StudentAid.gov/PSLF to use the PSLF Help Tool and begin the application process.