Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney
at Project on Predatory Student Lending
🏢 About Project on Predatory Student Lending
The Project on Predatory Student Lending (PPSL) is the only legal services practice in the country solely dedicated to representing postsecondary students harmed by predatory practices in higher education and vocational training. Founded at Harvard Law School in 2012 and now an independent nonprofit, PPSL has secured over $30 billion in student debt cancellation for more than 2 million former students nationwide. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that uses impact litigation to hold corporations and the government accountable for abusive and discriminatory actions against students from historically excluded communities.
About This Role
As a Staff Attorney, you will be a key member of PPSL’s legal team, responsible for developing and prosecuting complex, cutting-edge impact litigation to protect students and end predatory practices in higher education. You will work alongside attorneys and advocates to advance innovative legal strategies, likely managing cases from investigation through appeal. This role is impactful because your litigation directly translates into debt relief and systemic reform for millions of harmed students.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting a motion for summary judgment in a case against a for-profit college, meeting with co-counsel to strategize on an appeal, and conducting a client interview to gather evidence for a new complaint. You’ll also spend time researching emerging legal issues, coordinating with experts, and participating in team calls to align on case strategy and priorities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Project on Predatory Student Lending Is Looking For
- Experienced litigator with a strong track record in federal court, including motions practice, discovery, and trial or appellate experience.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, consumer protection, or education equity, ideally with some background in higher education law or student lending.
- Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to craft creative arguments in complex regulatory and statutory frameworks.
- Collaborative and mission-driven, able to work effectively in a remote team and with clients from diverse backgrounds.
📝 Tips for Applying to Project on Predatory Student Lending
Highlight any experience with federal impact litigation, especially cases involving consumer protection, administrative law, or class actions—PPSL’s work is heavily litigation-focused.
Explicitly connect your motivation to PPSL’s mission: mention specific cases or outcomes from their website (e.g., borrower defense, Corinthian Colleges) and explain why they resonate with you.
Show familiarity with the legal landscape of predatory lending: reference key statutes like the Higher Education Act, borrower defense regulations, or relevant case law in your cover letter.
Emphasize your ability to handle complex cases independently and collaboratively, as PPSL is a small, remote team where attorneys take significant ownership.
If you have clinical or pro bono experience representing students or low-income clients, quantify your impact (e.g., number of clients served, debt relieved) to stand out.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific litigation experience and how it prepares you to develop and prosecute complex impact cases on behalf of students.', 'Why PPSL’s unique model of impact litigation appeals to you, and how you align with their mission to end predatory practices in higher education.', 'Any direct experience with student lending, higher education law, or consumer protection, including relevant statutes, regulations, or cases.', 'Your ability to thrive in a remote, collaborative environment and work effectively with clients and co-counsel across the country.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review PPSL’s major cases and victories, such as the borrower defense litigation, the Corinthian Colleges case, and any recent lawsuits against the Department of Education.
- → Understand the current regulatory landscape for student loans, including updates to borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharge, and gainful employment rules.
- → Read news coverage and listen to client stories on PPSL’s website to grasp the human impact of their work and the communities they serve.
- → Learn about the for-profit college industry and key players (e.g., ITT Tech, Corinthian, DeVry) to speak knowledgeably about the targets of PPSL’s litigation.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention PPSL’s specific mission, cases, or the unique focus on predatory student lending.
- Failing to demonstrate any litigation experience or a clear understanding of what impact litigation entails—this is not a policy or advocacy role.
- Overlooking the remote nature of the role: not showing how you’ve successfully worked remotely or collaborated across distances in previous positions.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Project on Predatory Student Lending!