If you are Jewish and planning to enroll or are already enrolled in college, you may be eligible to apply to one of the many scholarships for Jewish students that are offered around the world. Scholarships are provided by organizations, colleges, companies, and businesses interested in assisting college students with their tuition. There are several local and national scholarships available for Jewish college students who are unable to pay for their full or partial tuition costs. Whether you are of Jewish descent or practicing the Judaism religion, there are scholarship options for you. Below is a list of 30 of the Jewish scholarships that we found along with brief descriptions of each.
1. The Jewish Federation Schwab Rosenhouse Scholarship
The Jewish Federation offers the Schwab Rosenhouse Scholarship for high school seniors in Sacramento, California. The objective of this scholarship is to provide Jewish students with the ability to accomplish their educational goals. The Jewish Federation will help students achieve this by providing financial assistance toward their college tuition. Jewish students may use this scholarship at community colleges, four-year colleges, or vocational/technical institutions within 100 miles from the courthouse in Sacramento. Winners will receive between $1,000 to $5,000 each per year.
2. Bentson Family Scholarship
The Bentson Family Scholarship is offered by the University of Minnesota. This scholarship is awarded to college freshman students, and preference will be given to Jewish students. All awardees are chosen based on their grade point average (GPA), class rank, coursework, and test scores. Over a course of four years, the students awarded this scholarship will receive $24,000 altogether. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be citizens of the United States, permanent residents, or eligible for the Minnesota Dream Act.
3. American Jewish League for Israel Scholarship
The American Jewish League for Israel Scholarship is awarded by the American Jewish League for Israel. The primary goal of this scholarship is to help Jewish individuals who are planning to live and study in the country of Israel. Applicants must write an essay on the specific essay questions provided by the American Jewish League for Israel. This scholarship is awarded to four to six individuals each year. The award amount is typically between $4,000 to $6,000 and is used to help individuals during their study program in Israel.
4. Nathan and Marion Crosby Scholarship
Florida Atlantic University offers the Nathan and Marion Crosby Scholarship to students who plan to earn a degree in Jewish Studies. There are two scholarships provided annually to two different students, and each recipient will receive $500 toward their college tuition. One of the Nathan and Marion Crosby Scholarships prefers to award a descendant of a victim of the Holocaust, whereas the other Nathan and Marion Crosby Scholarship requires applicants to possess at least a 3.5 GPA. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist Jewish students with their college tuition and fees.
5. Helen B. Reich Scholarship for study in Israel
The American Zionist Movement provides the Helen B. Reich Scholarship to students planning to spend a year in Israel and be involved with the Jewish and Zionist community. Individuals awarded this scholarship will receive between $750 and $1,500. Applicants must be American and enrolled at a college or university in the United States. In addition, they must possess at least a 3.5 GPA and have been accepted to an undergraduate program at Ben-Gurion University, Tel Aviv University, or the University of Haifa in Israel for at least one semester.
6. The Shirley and Robert Raymer College Scholarship
JBridge is a project created by the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. It is currently offering the Shirley and Robert Raymer College Scholarship for Jewish seniors in high school. Applicants must have applied to a four-year college or university and are waiting to receive their acceptance letter. This scholarship will be given out to selected individuals based on their academic accomplishments, financial need, and involvement in the Jewish community. Two winners are chosen annually and will receive $10,000 each. Only individuals residing in the San Francisco Bay Area will be selected.
7. The Bermont Family Undergraduate Jewish Student Scholarship
Texas Christian University features the Bermont Family Undergraduate Jewish Student Scholarship. This scholarship was created by Peter Bermont, who was a Texas Christian University graduate in 1967. He developed the Bermont Family Undergraduate Jewish Student Scholarship to promote religious diversity at the college as well as to support students who will join the religious life at Texas Christian University. This scholarship is only eligible for students of the Jewish faith, and preference will be given to those who can show that they have financial need.
8. Harold & Jean Grossman Teen Israel Experience Scholarship
The Harold & Jean Grossman Teen Israel Experience Scholarship was first created by Harold & Jean Grossman to promote the participation of Jewish teens in an Israel experience program. It is currently offered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Community Foundation. Only Jewish teens are considered, and they must be a resident of an area served by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Applicants must be high school students (grades 10th-12th), planning to pursue a program in the country of Israel for at least four weeks, and have not already received this scholarship in the past.
9. The Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center Scholarships for Jewish studies majors
The University of Maryland offers scholarships for Jewish students through its Meyerhoff Center. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must write an essay about their program of study and how it will benefit their undergraduate program and courses. Individuals who are majoring in Jewish Studies will receive priority consideration. There will be five first-year students chosen, and each will receive $1,000 toward their tuition. Three third-year students will also be chosen for scholarships and will receive $4,500 each.
10. Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture Doctoral Scholarship
The Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture gives out Doctoral Scholarships annually. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist with training qualified individuals by helping them earn careers in Jewish research and scholarship. Students who receive this scholarship will be dedicated to the Jewish community and will receive financial support from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture while they earn their doctoral degree.
11. Samuel J. Goldstein, Esquire, Scholarship
The Pittsburgh Foundation has implemented the Samuel J. Goldstein, Esquire, Scholarship to provide assistance to students residing in Allegheny County and other surrounding counties. Recipients of this scholarship are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a law school in the state of Pennsylvania. The winner will be awarded $7,000 over the course of two years and must maintain a 2.5 GPA to receive the second part of the scholarship. Preference is given to individuals of the Jewish faith. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must submit an essay, one letter of reference, and unofficial transcripts.
12. Heather L. Kase Endowed Scholarship
Since 2000, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) established the Heather L. Kase Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students. Applicants must possess a 3.0 GPA, be in good academic standing, and have proof of financial need. Preference will be given to Jewish women who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at UCLA. The application process consists of answering essay questions as well as the submission of letters of reference.
13. B’nai B’rith Great Lakes College Scholarship
B’nai B’rith International is offering the B’nai B’rith Great Lakes College Scholarship to high school seniors planning to enroll in college. Three or four winners will be chosen annually and will each receive $2,500 toward their tuition. The objective of this scholarship is to encourage individuals to serve as leaders in the community and ambassadors for the B’nai B’rith International. This scholarship is based on financial need, academic performance, community service, and extra-curricular activities. All applicants must be a resident of the state of Michigan.
14. International Diller Teen Award
Annually, the Helen Diller Foundation gives out scholarships to fifteen Jewish teens from the United States. The awardees are chosen based on their leadership abilities, engagement in the community, and plans to make the world a better place. Teen leaders are encouraged to apply if they are between the ages of 13 and 19, identify as Jewish, a resident of the United States, possess a leadership role in a program to improve the world, and volunteering without any pay.
15. The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation Scholarships
Each year, the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation offers more than 50 scholarships to Jewish students. There are around 37 different funds that partner with the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation to provide these scholarships. The goal of these scholarships is to encourage students to attend college by assisting them financially. The scholarship award amounts range from $425 to $5,400. Applicants only need to fill out one application, and they will automatically be considered for each of the scholarships offered.
16. Herbert and Elaine Gimelstob Scholarship for Judaic studies
The Florida Atlantic University offers Jewish studies scholarships to college students, such as the Herbert and Elaine Gimelstob Scholarship for Judaic Studies. This scholarship was created by Herbert and Elaine Gimelstob to financially assist all students wishing to major in Jewish studies. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must complete an application, submit transcripts, and write 3,000 words or less on an essay about their future career goals and aspirations.
17. Nathan L. Lewis Memorial Scholarship
The Nathan L. Lewis Memorial Scholarship was established by Robert S. Lewis in remembrance of his father. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who have studied at a Jewish day school for at least four years and at the most twelve years. The goal of this scholarship is to help students pursue their educational goals without the worry of being able to afford the tuition costs. Each applicant must have proof of their need for financial assistance.
18. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago has implemented a scholarship program to financially assist Jewish undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be pursuing some type of career helping people. The award amount varies per individual and may be up to $8,000. Only individuals will be selected if they identify as Jewish, were born and raised in the Chicago metro area, entering a graduate program or a junior or senior in a bachelor’s program, and possess proof of financial need.
19. Rina Sky Wolfgang Memorial Scholarship
The Rina Sky Wolfgang Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Jewish Foundation of Greensboro in remembrance of Rina Sky Wolfgang. She was a phenomenal teacher for more than four decades, who passed away from cancer. This scholarship is directed toward Grimsley High School (in Greensboro, North Carolina) seniors planning to enroll in a college or vocational institution. Each winner will receive an award of $1,000 toward their tuition. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must fill out an application, show proof of acceptance to a college or institution, and write an essay on how they overcame any type of adversity.
20. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Scholarships
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis offers several different scholarship options for current undergraduate and graduate students. These scholarships are directed toward Jewish students as well as individuals earning a major in Jewish Studies. Some of the scholarships offered are the Len Perel Memorial Scholarship, Jules Dorfman Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Jewish Communal Service, The Eugene and Friedmann Memorial Scholarship, The Mark Pescovitz Scholarship, and more. Each scholarship has their own set of eligibility requirements to apply.
21. Israel Scholarship
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver sponsors the Israel Scholarship, which is a scholarship that was created to help teens and young adults with their costs of traveling to the country of Israel. Individuals selected for this scholarship may earn an award toward their program of up to $2,500. Preference will be given to first time travelers to Israel. The Jewish Federation will approve specific programs, and trips to Israel must last a minimum of two weeks.
22. The Jewish Family and Children’s Services Scholarships
The Jewish Family and Children’s Services provides Jewish studies scholarships as well as scholarships to Jewish students. The purpose of these scholarships is to help Jewish individuals accomplish their dreams and goals by providing them with financial awards toward their college tuition. Undergraduate applicants may receive between $500 to $2,500, and graduate applicants may receive between $500 to $1,000. The Jewish Family and Children’s Services also offers a loan option, which provides college students with between $1,000 to $6,000 toward their tuition. Students receiving a loan will be required to pay it back over a period of time.
23. The Jewish Scholarship Service of Pittsburgh
The Jewish Scholarship Service of Pittsburgh features several scholarships to assist Jewish high school seniors or current college students with paying for their tuition. Applicants must possess proof of financial need and be a resident of the following counties in Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. The overall goal of these scholarships is to financially support as many Jewish students in the community as possible.
24. The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Scholarship
Every year, the Sokolof Scholarship Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation features the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Scholarship. The individuals who receive this scholarship will be awarded $10,000 toward their college tuition. Two Jewish high school students are chosen annually based on their character, academic performance, accomplishments, and community service experience. Applicants are required to be a resident of the Omaha, Nebraska metro area for at least the past two years.
25. Morton A. Gibson Memorial Scholarship
The Morton A. Gibson Memorial Scholarship was established by the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Applicants must be a high school senior, identify as Jewish, be a U.S. citizen or working toward earning citizenship, have been accepted into a four-year college, and possess volunteer experience within the Jewish community. Each selected winner will receive between $875 to $2,500 toward their college tuition.
26. Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Essay Contest
Once a year, the Morris J. & Betty Kaplun Foundation offers an essay contest for high school students to participate in. The topic for the 7th-9th grade students is “honoring thy father and mother: how and why, from your own perspective,” and the topic for 10th-12th grade students is to “reflect on ways that being mindful of the 10th Commandment – Thou shalt not covet – can help us navigate our social media-driven world.” Six winners are chosen for the scholarship based on the strength of their essay. The first-place winner will receive $1,800, and the five other selected winners will receive $500. The 7th-9th grade submissions must be between 250 and 1,000 words, and the 10th-12th grade submissions must be between 250 and 1,500 words. The first 50 submissions will receive $18.00 as an entrance prize.
27. Holocaust Reflection Contest
The Nova Southeastern University provides the Holocaust Reflection Contest each year, which is sponsored by the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc. This contest is for middle and high school students in the state of Florida. To participate in this contest, the applicant must find an inspiring holocaust survivor’s story and write or create a piece of art about their reflection of the story. An essay, poem, short film, or an art piece will be accepted.
28. The Dessau Endowment
Queens College is offering The Dessau Endowment, which are scholarships for Jewish studies in remembrance of a Holocaust survivor named Grace Dessau. She graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy and a minor in Jewish Studies. Annually, students enrolled in a Jewish Studies program are awarded the Dessau Endowment. Only students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA are chosen. Priority is given to individuals who have an interest in Holocaust Studies.
29. Sachs Foundation Graduate Scholarship
The Sachs Foundation, an organization that has been providing assistance to African American and black students for over 90 years, has developed the Sachs Foundation Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship is for individuals who have graduated with their undergraduate degree in the last three years and are entering graduate school. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must write a one-page personal statement of between 350-500 words. The selected winners will receive $10,000 each year for up to four years.
30. Frank M. Mervis Memorial Scholarship for Judaic Studies
The Frank M. Mervis Memorial Scholarship for Judaic Studies was created by the Florida Atlantic University. It is for high school juniors and seniors earning a degree in Jewish Studies. Only individuals with at least a 3.0 GPA and commitment to the Jewish communal service will be selected. One letter of recommendation from a faculty member is required with the application as well as a 3,000-character essay about your future career goals and aspirations.
With the history and sense of community that Judaism offers, being a prospective or current Jewish college student is something to be proud of. All Jewish individuals have the opportunity to earn a higher education at a college or university around the world at an affordable price. With Jewish scholarships, college students who identify as Jewish can decide on a degree of their choice without the worry of affording the tuition costs. Depending on what type of scholarship you are looking for, you may be able to find a few scholarships that you qualify for based on the criteria. Most of the scholarships for Jewish students mentioned above are awarded annually, and it is recommended to increase your chances of receiving tuition assistance by applying to numerous scholarships each year.
Further reading:
See our full list of scholarships here.
