JFSA College Financial Aid

JFSA’s College Financial Aid Program has been helping students realize their educational dreams for more than a century regardless of their financial circumstances. The program helps reduce the need for students to rely solely on loans to fund their education and helps minimize the burden of student loan debt after graduation.

Scholarships are awarded in competition with other students who have met application requirements. Some scholarships are renewable. Grants are based on need and available funds. In some circumstances, loans may be available.

Award amounts range from $800 to $12,500 based upon criteria listed in each individual scholarship. Depending on the terms of a scholarship, funds are given directly to students and can be applied towards tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, etc. or are routed directly to colleges to be used for specific costs.

Students only need to complete one application; students do not apply to specific scholarships. JFSA staff and advisory committee members review all applications and determine to whom individual scholarships are awarded.

The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 school year is April 1, 2026. JFSA staff and advisory committee members review all applications in June and award letters are mailed by July/August. Funds are distributed each August for the fall term.

Program Eligibility Guidelines

• Residency You must be a resident of Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Geauga, Medina, Lorain or Lake counties. You are considered a resident if you pay taxes in the county or you are listed as a dependent on taxes of a relative who resides in the county, or if you are registered to vote in the county.
• Family income is approximately $225,000 (or $120,000 if you are applying for the Irving I. Stone Scholarship). This reflects the combined gross income of both parents/guardians.
• Accredited Four Year College You must be attending a four year accredited American university or college as established through the U.S. Department of Education. Students attending on-line schools are not eligible for financial aid at this time.
• Full Time Student You must attend university/seminary as a full-time student defined as at least 12 credit hours per semester in undergraduate school or at least 9 credit hours per semester in graduate school.
• Identify as Jewish High school senior, college undergraduate, or graduate student who identifies as Jewish. Applicants should have at least one Jewish birth parent or have completed Jewish conversion through a recognized Jewish denomination.
• GPA Minimum 2.5 GPA