Scholarships and Resources for Jewish Students

From academic resources and Jewish advocacy to financial aid and public service scholarships, get the help you need to pay for college, find success in the classroom, and turn your degree into a rewarding career.

STEPS Staff
Written By

STEPS Staff

Updated

08/14/2020

When it comes to college, students need a hand once in a while. It could be something as big as an academic scholarship or as small as an introduction to the right mentor. Resources and scholarships can make a huge difference, and the great news is, they are available to students of all genders, races, and nationalities. Yet for this guide, we’re focusing on Jewish students. It’s important to make sure that all communities have equal access to numerous types of college aid to maximize both diversity and representation. Here are over 25 scholarships and resources for postsecondary students who identify as Jewish.

Scholarships & Grants for Jewish Students

Scholarship opportunities for Jewish students tend to reflect the values of service to others, community and leadership, and academic excellence that are so central to the Jewish faith and culture. Local chapters of national organizations, such as the National Council of Jewish Women, may sponsor scholarships in addition to those specifically listed below.

General Scholarships & Grants

Organization

Dallas Jewish Community Foundation and Southwest Community Foundation

Amount

$500 – $5,400

Deadline

2/1/2020 (annual)

Eligibility

DJCF and SCF have over 50 college scholarships each year based on financial need, academic excellence, activities, and service for high school seniors through graduate students. Specific scholarships may have Dallas, Denton, or Collin county residency requirements.

How to Apply

All scholarship opportunities through DJCF and SCF use a single application form. School transcripts, FAFSA or TAFSA forms, and standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, or LSAT must be included.

Organization

The Diller Family Foundation

Amount

$36,000

Deadline

1/8/2020 (annual award)

Eligibility

These highly selective awards given to volunteers in a leadership role of a project “aimed at repairing the world.” Applicants must be between 13 and 19 years old and self-identify as Jewish.

How to Apply

Interested teens may submit an online application. Alternatively, teens may be nominated by an adult or peer.

Organization

Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven

Amount

$1,500 average, additional scholarship opportunities available through Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven

Deadline

5/15/2020

Eligibility

Jewish high school senior with at least a B average living in Greater New Haven, Connecticut.

How to Apply

Complete an online application that includes an essay, three character references, high school transcript, and college acceptance.

Organization

Hillel International

Amount

$4,000

Deadline

3/15/2021

Eligibility

Graduating high school senior with record of leadership and/or volunteer service. Must self-identify as Jewish, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and plan to attend accredited four-year college or university.

How to Apply

Complete online application and provide two letters of recommendation. Optional essays are strongly recommended.

Organization

Hillel International

Amount

$4,000

Deadline

3/15/2021

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time students at an accredited four-year college or university with demonstrated leadership ability. Must self-identify as Jewish and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

How to Apply

Complete online application and provide two letters of recommendation. Optional essays are strongly recommended.

Organization

JCC Association of North America

Amount

up to $5,000 per semester, up to $20,000 total

Deadline

5/1/2020 (Fall & Spring), 10/1/2020 (Spring Only)

Eligibility

Full or part time graduate students working full time for the JCC may apply for any graduate program. Alternatively, they can pursue one of the dedicated JCC partner programs including nonprofit management and education.

How to Apply

Online application includes an essay, personal recommendation, and an outline of the funding or program request.

Organization

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

Amount

$1,000-$1,250

Deadline

5/22/2020

Eligibility

Applicant must be a direct descendent of a member in good standing of Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. Applicants must be high school seniors accepted to an accredited college, university, community college, or hospital school of nursing. Minimum 735 SAT average or 31 ACT. Minimum 3.7 GPA

How to Apply

Complete and submit application packet to JWV Headquarters that includes verification of JWV connection, college acceptance letter, resume, high school transcript, and SAT/ACT scores.

Organization

Jewish Social Service Agency

Amount

$1,500-$4,000

Deadline

4/24/2020

Eligibility

Scholarship is open to Jewish residents of metro Washington, D.C. accepted into a four-year undergraduate program. Additional scholarship opportunities and loan programs are offered by JSSA.

How to Apply

Complete an online application. Include high school or college transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, resume including extracurricular and summer activities, college or graduate school acceptance, financial aid award information, and copy of FAFSA.

Organization

The Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Foundation

Amount

$500-$1,800

Deadline

3/2021 (annual award)

Eligibility

Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to participate.

How to Apply

Submit application and 250-1,500 essay on assigned topic. Contest encourages students to think about Jewish heritage, values, and contribution to civilization and culture.

Organization

Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Amount

$10,000

Deadline

3/30/2020 (annual)

Eligibility

San Francisco area Jewish high school seniors planning to attend a selective four-year college of university demonstrating academic excellence, financial need, and involvement in the Jewish community. Additional scholarship opportunities are available through the JCF.

How to Apply

Online application includes high school or college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, an essay, financial aid award information, and tax return and FAFSA forms.

Scholarships & Grants in Public Service

Organization

American Criminal Justice Association

Amount

$100-$400

Deadline

12/31/2020

Eligibility

Members of ACJA/LAE can apply. Education requirements vary based on academic level. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a criminal justice program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed and mailed to the Scholarship Committee Chair. Applications must include transcripts and a personal statement.

Organization

Bright Horizons

Amount

$250-$500

Deadline

5/15/2020

Eligibility

Full and part-time students at an accredited college or university and high school seniors who have completed at least one early childhood class are eligible. GPA of 2.5 or higher and a teacher recommendation are required. At least 9 months of experience working with children age six and under is preferred.

How to Apply

The online application includes transcripts, working experience, career goals, and a personal essay.

Organization

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Amount

up to $8,000/year

Deadline

2/1/ 2020 (annual)

Eligibility

Chicago area Jewish college (rising juniors and seniors only) and graduate students pursuing careers in helping professions including but not limited to education, healthcare, public health, social service, and public policy. Must demonstrate financial need.

How to Apply

The online application asks for 2 letters of reference.

Organization

Jewish Foundation for Education of Women & Hunter College

Amount

Needs-based tuition assistance

Deadline

4/1/2020 (annually)

Eligibility

Sophomores enrolled in Hunter College who can demonstrate commitment to enhancing the status and role of women in public service and public policy are eligible. Students must demonstrate financial need.

How to Apply

Online application includes a 250-word essay, transcripts, resume, and FAFSA form.

Organization

National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles

Amount

$2,000

Deadline

5/1/2020

Eligibility

Applicants must live in the Greater Los Angeles area and be enrolled (or accepted into) a degree program in nursing.

How to Apply

Online applications must include a personal statement, transcripts, resume, two letters of recommendation, verification of enrollment, and financial information.

Organization

Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Amount

$10,000

Deadline

6/17/2020

Eligibility

Applicants must have an interest in corporate law practice that focuses on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Acceptance to full-time, Juris Doctorate program at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States is required.

How to Apply

Applications must be uploaded to the MCCA site. Include official transcripts and personal recommendations along with demonstration of financial need and community engagement.

Organization

National Institutes of Health

Amount

up to $20,000/year and $80,000 total

Deadline

1/2021 (annual)

Eligibility

Enrolled students at four-year accredited colleges and universities with 3.3 or higher GPA are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional financial need and commitment to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.

How to Apply

The NIH application requires transcripts that show relevant coursework, a personal statement, a resume, and three letters of recommendation.

Organization

National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles

Amount

$2,000

Deadline

5/1/2020

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled at a University of California or California State University in Greater Los Angeles, or at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Additionally, applicants must be K-12 educators

How to Apply

Online applications must include a personal statement, transcripts, resume, two letters of recommendation, verification of enrollment, and financial information.

Organization

National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles

Amount

$2,000

Deadline

5/1/2020

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled at a University of California or California State University in Greater Los Angeles, or at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Additionally, applicants must be K-12 educators

How to Apply

Online applications must include a personal statement, transcripts, resume, two letters of recommendation, verification of enrollment, and financial information.

Organization

John Jay College, City University of New York, with support from Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women and the Robin Hood Foundation

Amount

$1,650 tuition assistance and $500 textbook assistance per year

Deadline

Annual

Eligibility

Applicants must be New York City residents and enrolled in public services majors including criminal justice, fire science, law and society, and security management.

How to Apply

Enrolled students must attend an ACE information session in order to apply.

Organization

Society for Public Health Education

Amount

$2,500

Deadline

9/30/2020

Eligibility

Students must have completed at least one-third of the coursework for a health education degree. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are members of SOPHE and have demonstrated need are eligible.

How to Apply

Complete an online application and provide additional application materials by PDF. These include transcripts, a declaration of commitment to pursuing a degree in health education, resume, and a written statement in addition to documented financial need.

Student and Career Resources for Jewish Students

Jewish students will find resources to help them at every stage of their higher education. Jewish campus organizations offer scholarship and grant resources in addition to social and networking opportunities. Career and advocacy groups provide Jewish students with volunteer and community service programs, pathways to employment, and professional development and support.

Financial Aid

Federal Student AidA great place to start when you are considering your options for paying for college is the government’s federal student aid site. It lays out all your financial aid options and the differences between them. It is also where you can find the FAFSA form that will be required by schools, as well as certain grants and scholarships.

Jewish Free LoansLocal chapters of the Jewish Free Loan society offer interest-free student loans. Loans are available for vocational training, undergraduate, and graduate education. Requirements may vary by chapter.

Jewish ScholarshipsHillel International’s Jewish Scholarships Portal has links to thousands of Jewish scholarship programs.

Public Service Loan ForgivenessWorking in public service can make you eligible for federal student loan forgiveness. To qualify, you must work for a government or non-profit organization, a 501(c)3. AmeriCorps and Peace Corps volunteers are eligible as well. Just be aware that not all FFEL and Perkins loans qualify for forgiveness. Private loans also do not qualify for forgiveness.

U.S. Department of Labor Scholarship FinderScholarship Finder allows you to search through over 8,000 scholarships using keywords and filters. Scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid awards are included. Some scholarships are specifically targeted to students’ interests or fields of study, including scholarships for public service degrees.

Professional Development and Networking

Alpha Epsilon PhiAEPhi is a national Jewish sorority committed to community service and philanthropy. AEPhi awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. These include the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholarship for second year law students and the Dana Parkans Katz Scholarship for education or math majors. AEPhi also offers networking and volunteer opportunities.

Alpha Epsilon PiAEPi is a largest Jewish fraternity with chapters on over 175 campuses. As a social organization, AEPi espouses the values of brotherhood, social awareness, Tzedakah, and support for Jewish communities including Israel. AEPi also provides scholarships and networking opportunities to members.

Chabad on CampusChabad Houses offer weekly Shabbat dinners as well as trips and programs for Jewish students. Described as a “family on campus,” Chabad Houses can ease the transition to college for Jewish students. Chabad Houses can be found on campuses across the country.

Hillel InternationalHillel is the largest and most well-known campus organization for Jewish students with a presence on more than 550 campuses. Hillel’s strong commitment to social justice connects Jewish students with opportunities for service. Programs like Alternative Spring Break truly give Jewish students the chance to change the world through service and social justice projects in 40 countries.