Jewish Social Service Agency
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Scholarships and Interest-free Educational Loans

For:  Students in undergraduate, graduate, vocational training programs, and Jewish primary or secondary programs who meet specific eligibility criteria.  Please note that the application deadline for this years scholarships and interest-free educational loans is April 2, 2008.

Service description:  JSSA scholarships and interest-free educational loans include:

  Scholarships for graduate students 
  Funds for undergraduate students
  Educational loans
  Funds for primary and secondary students
  Funds for vocational training programs
  Funds for study in Israel    

Application deadline information for 2009 will be available in December, 2008. Download the Educational Assistance Application Form.

For more information, please call 301-610-8353 or send an email inquiry.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

David and Maryla Korn Family Scholarship Fund for Undergraduates/Graduate Students

This scholarship is awarded annually (usually two to three scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 are awarded each year). Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship
  • accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program on a full-time basis
  • under the age of 30

Scholarships may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Hyman P. Moldover Scholarship for Communal Service (administered by the United Jewish Endowment fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington)

Scholarships of up to $5,000 are given to students enrolled in a Jewish communal service graduate program. Decision is based primarily on financial need and high academic leadership and potential.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident studying in the Washington metropolitan area
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship
  • accepted into a graduate program in Jewish communal service on a full-time basis
  • intending to work professionally in the Jewish community upon graduation

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Funds for Undergraduate Students

Morton A. Gibson Memorial Scholarship (administered by the United Jewish Endowment Fund of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington)

1 to 2 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 awarded annually to a high school senior who has completed significant volunteer services within the local Jewish community in addition to high school graduation service requirements.

Applicants must be:

  • a high school senior
  • a Jewish resident of the Washington Metropolitan area
  • accepted into an accredited four year undergraduate program on a full-time basis
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship

Awards may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Max and Emmy Dreyfuss Jewish Undergraduate Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is awarded once a year. Scholarships range from $1,500 - $4,000. Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship
  • accepted into an accredited four year undergraduate program on a full-time basis

Scholarships may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Melvin Mandell Memorial Scholarship (administered by the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, available for the 2010/2011 school year)

This scholarship is for $4,000 per year for four years, provided the student remains in good standing and provides a transcript each year. Decision is based primarily on financial need and academic merit.

Applicants must be:

  • a high school senior
  • a Jewish resident of the Washington Metropolitan area
  • accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program on a full-time basis
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship

Awards may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Funding after the first year is contingent upon satisfactory performance in school. Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Herbert F. Sacks Memorial Scholarship (administered by the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington) (NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL THE 2011/2012 SCHOOL YEAR)

This scholarship is for $6,500 per year for four years, provided the student remains in good standing and provides a transcript each year. Decision is based primarily on financial need and academic merit.

Applicants must be:

  • a high school senior
  • a Jewish resident of the Washington Metropolitan area
  • accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program on a full-time basis
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship

Awards may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Funding after the first year is contingent upon satisfactory performance in the school. Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

David and Maryla Korn Family Scholarship Fund for Undergraduates/Graduate Students

This scholarship is awarded once a year. Generally, two to three grants of $1,000 to $2,000 are awarded annually. Scholarships are not to exceed $2,000. Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship
  • accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program on a full-time basis
  • under the age of 30

Awards may not be used for:

  • community college
  • study abroad programs (including Israel)

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Educational Loans

Jewish Educational Loan Fund

This interest-free loan, up to $2,000, is for students who have few other resources available to them. Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or vocational training program in the United States.
  • a US citizen or working towards citizenship 

Awardees must sign a letter of agreement that stipulates that the loan will be repaid starting with $50 payments three months after completing their degree. Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the loan.

Funds for Primary and Secondary Students

Jeanette Siegel Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded once a year. Scholarships range from $1,000 -$2,500. Applications are sent directly to the school. Please contact your school counselor to apply. Decision is based primarily on financial need with refugees given preference.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • attending a Jewish primary or secondary school
  • in grades 4-12

David and Maryla Korn Family Scholarship Fund for the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and/or Jewish Primary Day School.

This scholarship is awarded once a year.  Scholarships range from $2,500 - $5,000. Applications are sent directly to the school. Please contact your school counselor to apply. Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • attending the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School or the Jewish Primary Day School.

Funds for Vocational Training Programs

Jewish Educational Loan Fund

This interest-free loan, up to $2,000, is for students who have few other resources available to them. Decision is based primarily on financial need.

Applicants must be:

  • a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or vocational training program
  • a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship
  • attending school in the United States

Awardees must sign a letter of agreement that stipulates that the loan will be repaid starting with $50 per month payments three months after completing their degree. Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the loan.

JSSA Educational Scholarship Fund

Seven scholarships of $6,000 are awarded once a year.  Decision is based primarily on financial need. Recipients are eligible for 1-2 years of funding.

Applicants must be:

  • a high school senior at a Montgomery County public high school
  • a US citizen or working towards citizenship
  • accepted into an accredited four-year undergraduate program, vocational school or community college.

Awards may not be used for:

  • a student attending private or parochial school
  • graduate or post-graduate students

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

Funds for Study in Israel

Sahm/Goldman Scholarship (administered by the United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington)

Scholarships range from $250 to $2,500 and are given to individuals studying or conducting significant research or career development in Israel. Decision is based primarily on financial need and academic merit.

Applicants must:

  • be a Jewish resident of the Washington metropolitan area
  • have completed a minimum of two years of undergraduate study
  • be a U.S. citizen or working towards citizenship. Priority is given to applicants who are traveling to Israel for the first time.

Any awardee who does not complete a full year of school must repay the scholarship.

United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington - Israel Experience Scholarships*

* Merit-based funding for high school students available through Israel Quest. For more information, contact Susan Friedman at 240-283-6239 or send Ms. Friedman an  email inquiry

Download the Educational Assistance Application Form.