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J C R S -

College Aid Program
 
 

 

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Approximately 170 Jewish youth received college aid in calendar year 2006. Since a number of families aided were impacted by the hurricanes of 2005, the average award was raised to $2900 per year. Approximately 85% of the funds awarded youth are grants and I5% are loans.

... the primary qualification for any financial aid is family income/family size ...

The JCRS funds higher education and training for Jewish students based on available funds and the student's ability to meet criteria for selection.

Many of the college students who receive aid from the JCRS are from very low income families.  Most of this group of students were also Camp Scholarship recipients when they were young. 

Typically, half of the College Aid recipients are from single-parent homes. 

On average, each academic year the Program funds approximately 140 students. 

Selection

Student applicants are selected by a Committee of the JCRS and decisions are based on financial need.  The Committee will review each applicant's career plan, financial resources, and anticipated expenses in reaching its decisions.  Students who work and have income which can be applied toward their college expenses are viewed more favorably than those who are not involved in helping to meet their expenses.

The JCRS College Aid Program is directed primarily to undergraduate college students who are under age 25 when they will begin the term for which assistance is being sought.  First consideration is granted to students under the age of 21 who meet our eligibility requirements.  Second priority for consideration is to the student who is age 21 and over, who also falls into one or more of the following categories: 

  1. who is continuing an educational plan which the JCRS has helped subsidize in earlier years; 
  2. who is a single parent of a minor child or children; 
  3. who is going into a child-serving occupation; and/or
  4. who has been affected by extraordinary circumstances, i.e. recent hurricanes. 

Aid is provided in the form of grants and no-interest loans. The average award through 2000 was about $1,450 per academic year.  Freshman and sophomore students generally are eligible for grants for the academic year.  Junior and senior level students generally are eligible for no-interest loans for the academic year.  Unless other arrangements are made, repayment of academic, no-interest loans is expected to begin within one year after completion of undergraduate education or after discontinuing schooling.  

Some students are provided aid every year during undergraduate school.  Whether or not this will apply in every instance is dependent on the funds available each year for the Program.  Of course, it also depends on the individual's progress in school. 

Students who have completed high school, or a GED, also may be considered for scholarships for training programs which teach vocational skills.

Because of limited funds, graduate students can be considered for assistance only after all undergraduate applications have been reviewed and acted on for the academic year.

Program Specific Requirements 

All Program applicants must meet the general Eligibility Requirements detailed on the Programs page.  In addition, in order to be considered, each applicant must also meet, comply with, or agree to comply with the following criteria:

  1. Be a registered voter or eligible to vote when old enough;
  2. Be a permanent resident of the United States;
  3. Be a United States citizen -- refugees, who are not naturalized citizens, may be considered on a case by case basis;
  4. Provide, with the application, copies of the most recent year's federal income tax forms for the student and the student's parents or legal guardian -- note that this is a requirement if the student is over 21 years of age and is not self-supporting;
  5. If a resident of any of the following cities, provide proof that an application for education aid has been made to the noted local agency or agencies -- note that you must provide this before your application to the JCRS can be finalized:

     

    Dallas - Jewish Federation (Education Department) and Hebrew Free Loan Society 

    Fort Worth - Jewish Social Service Agency  

    Houston - Jewish Family Service and Hebrew Free Loan Society 

    San Antonio - Jewish Endowment Foundation and Hebrew Free Loan Society 

    Birmingham - Jewish Family Service 

    Memphis - Jewish Family Service 

    Nashville - Jewish Federation

    Tulsa - Jewish Federation

IMPORTANT:

  • Make sure you download the Application below.
  • Complete the checklist so you are certain your application is complete by the deadline.
  • Return all materials by May 31st, 2008 to the address as detailed.
  • Make sure you have all 17 pages of the application.

If you believe you meet the criteria and would like to submit an application, 
a blank printable parts of the application forms can be viewed/downloaded 
by clicking on each of the links below: 
 

Note: If you have trouble downloading or viewing the application, try right-clicking on the link and choosing "Save Link As/Save Target As" from the menu that appears. This downloads the complete file to your computer and allows you to view it without your browser. 

Application for the Academic Year 2008-09 and forms

Note:  Applications are saved in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  You will need to downlaod Acrobat reader in order to view or print them. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download the reader to your computer for free. Just click the logo then choose "Get Acrobat Reader Free" from the Adobe site.

 
Should you require any additional information, you can reach us either by e-mail at

CollegeAid@jcrsnola.org

or by phone using the following numbers:

 

US/Canada: 1-800-SAY-JCRS - Toll-free
International: 011 (504) 828-6334 ext. 204 - New Orleans, LA
011 (832) 767-9097 - Houston, TX

 

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