On your mark. Get set. Apply! Applicant Quick Links
New to JELF? Fill out your application between August 1 - September 30.
Have an account already?
The username is your email!
Getting Started
Email addresses:
- If you are a parent filling out the application for your child, do not create an account using your own email address.
- Instead, use your child’s name and their email address. Each student and cosigner must use a unique email address
Verification & Password Creation:
- A verification code will be sent to the student’s email address.
- After verifying the code, you will create a password that will be needed each time you access the application.
- Ensure that the student has access to their email to receive the verification code, as you will not be able to complete registration without it.
Multiple Applications:
- If you are completing applications for more than one student, each student must register using their own email address.
Required Application Documents
Your application is not complete until all required documents are uploaded to the student or cosigner portal.
| Application Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Full Academic Year | June 15 |
| Spring and/or Summer Semester Only | October 15 |
If a student is starting a new school or program, they must upload the email or letter from their school, received upon acceptance.
We need a student's unofficial transcript (i.e. grades) through their most recently completed semester of school. This must include the student's cumulative GPA. Students do not need to pay for an 'official' transcript; a screenshot is fine (see below).
Students will find their Financial Aid Award in their school's student portal. Please ensure that what is sent to JELF is the award for the academic year in which they are applying for a loan, not a previous year's award.
While each school’s award summary will look different, JELF needs the financial aid award that has been ACCEPTED, not just the award letter showing what the student has been offered.
Unless there is a specific exception that prevents the student from being able to accept these loans, JELF requires the acceptance of federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans in order to qualify for our interest-free loans. Exceptions may involve: visa status, school policy or reaching the maximum federal loan allocation.
These are the total federal loan amounts that students are offered for each academic year:
- Freshman- $5500
- Sophomore- $6500
- Junior- $7500
- Senior-$7500
- Second Bachelor’s Degree - $12,500
- Graduate Student – Minimum is $20,500
Each school’s award summary will look a little bit different. Here is a sample:
A school's cost of attendance can be found in a student account, the school’s website or within the student's financial aid letter. This document should show the expected breakdown of costs such as tuition, dorm & board, fees, etc. If there are additional costs related to a student's program, students should explain this, including the amount and what the amount covers, in the JELF application.
Sample Cost of Attendance
The FAFSA Submission Summary (previously known as the Student Aid Report or SAR) summarizes the information a student submitted on their FAFSA and provides information about financial aid eligibility based on that information.
After a student's FAFSA form is submitted and processed, they will receive an email from FAFSA with instructions on how to access an online copy of their FAFSA Submission Summary. This will include the estimated eligibility for federal student loans, a Federal Pell Grant (if student qualifies for one), the Student Aid Index (SAI) and whether the student has been selected for verification. Being selected for verification happens at random and does not mean that a student has done anything wrong. Students will need to provide the documentation that is requested of them by a specific deadline to ensure that they can still get federal student aid.
Once a student's FAFSA form has been processed, they can get a copy of their FAFSA Submission Summary by logging in to FAFSA using their account username and password, navigating to your account Dashboard, selecting your processed FAFSA submission, and then selecting the “View FAFSA Submission Summary.” Students must then then save their FAFSA Submission Summary and upload it to the JELF student application through the portal.
If a student has been employed and filed taxes, they should upload their most recent tax return.
If a student has not worked or filed taxes, please let JELF know and JELF will mark this requirement as complete.
Sample Tax Document:
If a student worked during the school year, please send either the W-2 or 1099 Form.
SAMPLE FORM W-2:
SAMPLE FORM 1099:
Students will need to upload an image of their driver's license, state ID or passport. The image uploaded must include a photo of the student.
Examples:
You must upload all of the pages that show income. If you get an error that your tax documentation is too large to upload, email them to your contact at JELF, along with your full name and we will upload them to the application for you.
If a parent is serving as the applicant's cosigner and is married and filing jointly, cosigner should send W-2s/1099 for both parents.
If parents file taxes separately and the student is claimed by one parent, but the cosigner is the other parent, send W-2s/1099 for both parents.
If the cosigner is self-employed, upload business taxes.
You must upload either a photo of your state-issued driver's license, other government-issued ID or passport.
The JELF Interview
At JELF, we place great value on getting to know the “whole story," which is why we require both student and cosigner(s) interviews each year. Interviews are conducted by trained professionals, otherwise known as LJAs (Local JELF Administrators). Interviewers are not directly involved in the decision-making process.
JELF interviews help reviewers learn more about the applicant, their educational and career goals and financial needs. They also provide an opportunity for the applicant to convey any other relevant information which may not have been conveyed in the application.
Scheduling the Interview: After submitting your application, you will receive an email with the contact information for your Local JELF Administrator (LJA). Please schedule your interview promptly upon receiving this information.
Repeat Applicants: We aim to pair repeat applicants with their previous LJA. If you need to switch LJAs, inform your JELF contact.
Communication: Please respond quickly to all communications to facilitate the scheduling of your interview.
Duration: The interview will last approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on the applicant's situation. Both the applicant and cosigner should ensure they are available and have the interview scheduled on their calendars, whether in-person or via video conference.
Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule, please contact your interviewer as soon as possible before the meeting. Timely adjustments help avoid scheduling conflicts for everyone.
Purpose: The interview is a key part of the JELF application process. It covers personal topics such as the choice of school and available finances but is designed to be a comfortable conversation.
Consistency: The same information is collected from each applicant to ensure fairness. This data is summarized anonymously and shared with loan reviewers.
Confidentiality: All JELF staff and interviewers adhere to strict confidentiality. Interviewers do not have access to any documentation provided by the applicant or cosigner.
Support: Your LJA can help with questions about JELF, the loan process, college decisions, and general financial aid concerns.
Additional Help: If your LJA doesn’t have an immediate answer, they will work to find it and get back to you as soon as possible.
Contact Us: You can also submit questions anytime through the JELF Contact Form.
JELF Interview Questions
The following categories are a sample of topics and questions presented to both student and cosigner(s) during the interview.
The interview will typically begin with applicant telling the LJA more about who they are. Example topics include:
- why applicant has chosen their selected school
- applicant's major / concentration
- extracurricular activities, if any
- job (if applicant works or plans to work)
- any goals, hopes, dreams of the applicant's
- applicant's personal financial contribution to college, if applicable
Now let's put together the family puzzle:
- Who are applicant's parents (it is possible one is present during this interview!). Are both parents living? Are they married, remarried, single?
- Are there any siblings? Older/Younger? Where are they now / what do they do?
- Are any of the siblings receiving JELF loans (or were past recipients)? If siblings are in college or graduate school and NOT receiving JELF loans, why?
- Are there any health issues in the immediate family that have contributed to stress over the years?
- Are there any unusual or extenuating circumstances that may be relevant? (e.g. loss of family member, loss of home, accident, trauma, etc.)
Financial questions, which are related to the applicant or family's financial situation, may be best answered by either applicant or cosigner. This is often based on whether the applicant is dependent or independent. In some cases, a parent cosigner may prefer to answer these questions privately, which JELF is glad to provide an opportunity for, and may ask the applicant to recuse themselves at that time.
- How much is the family planning to contribute to the applicant's education?
- Any medical circumstances contributing to the family's financial stress?
- Any significant job loss that has contributed to family's financial situation?
- Are the parents supporting anyone other than the dependents listed in application (e.g. elderly parents)?
- Has there been a bankruptcy? Has there been any business loss?
- Do parents currently (or will soon) pay for multiple children in school at the same time?
- Any other debt that has not already been mentioned (e.g. student loans, mortgages, credit card, etc.)?
There are times where it may not be clear from the application whether a student meets all of the JELF eligibility requirements. In this case, the LJA may ask questions regarding:
- Jewish identity
- citizenship or immigration status
- residency in JELF’s five-state region (FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, except metro DC) for at least 1 year prior to April 30 (or September 30) submission deadline
- enrollment status as a full-time student in a U.S.-accredited institution
- completion of FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) for upcoming school year.
- readiness to accept any subsidized and/or unsubsidized federal loans (offered through FAFSA)
- cosigner status
- applicant's academic standing
Understanding Financial Aid
Nearly every student is eligible for some form of financial aid. Students who may not be eligible for need-based aid may still be eligible for unsubsidized federal loans regardless of income or circumstances. You can better understand everything related to financial aid here and for even more financial aid resources, visit this site.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the U.S. to determine eligibility for student financial aid.
These are the main criteria for FAFSA, but for complete list, visit FAFSA.
- U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or eligible non-citizen
- Valid Social Security number
- Enrolled or accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Maintains satisfactory academic standing
- Has a high school diploma or GED
- Signs the certification statement stating that:
- They are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
- Federal student aid will only be used for educational purposes.
Once you submit the FAFSA, you’ll receive your FAFSA Submission Summary, which details the information you included on the application and your SAI. This summary was previously called the Student Aid Report.
Students must submit the FAFSA each year they are in school to get all eligible federal student loans, grants, work-study and even some private scholarships.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
The information you input on the FAFSA about you and your family’s financial profile will determine your SAI. The index will equal the sum of your parents’ available income, your income and assets.
Unlike the old EFC, the SAI will not consider the number of family members in college. This means that parents will no longer receive a sibling discount.
The Federal Direct Loan Program (subsidized or unsubsidized), formerly known as the Stafford Loan, is the lowest interest type of long-term, fixed rate loan that a student is eligible to receive.
No matter what a student's need is, all students receive the same amount from the Federal Direct Loan Program based on what year of school or program they are in:
Undergraduate Students:
- Freshman: $5,500
- Sophomores: $6,500
- Juniors / Seniors: $7,500
Most undergraduates receive a portion of their Federal Direct Loan as subsidized and a portion unsubsidized. However, this depends on demonstrated financial need.
Graduate Students:
- $20,500 / year (with exceptions for law and medical schools).
Since July 2012, graduate and professional students are not eligible to receive subsidized loans.
A federal loan is a broad term for any student government loan that is typically a low-cost, fixed-rate loan available to undergraduate students, graduate students, and parents of dependent undergraduate students.
There are different types of federal loan programs:
- ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant) – This is a federal grant that may be awarded only to 1st and 2nd year Pell Grant (see below) recipients who have completed specific rigorous high school curricula. Funding is limited, so not all students receive this grant.
- College Work-Study Program – This is a federal program which provides jobs for students who must earn part of their educational expenses. Funds are provided by the government to the school, and an on-campus job is assigned by the school. The amount varies and does not need to be repaid.
- Direct PLUS Loans – These are federal loans that graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college or career school. There is a loan fee on all Direct PLUS Loans. Interest rates for Direct PLUS Loans = 6.31%. However, if you got your Direct PLUS Loan on or after July 1, 2022, and before July 1, 2023, the loan will have a fixed interest rate of 7.54% after the payment pause ends.
- Graduate PLUS Loan - This is a non need-based student loan which allows graduate or professional students enrolled at least half time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate to borrow up to the total cost of graduate education (determined by the school) minus other aid. These loans can be deferred while the student is in school and, if credit is sufficient, a cosigner is generally not needed.
- Parent PLUS Loan – This is a federal loan offered to parents of dependent, undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half time at participating and eligible post-secondary institutions. Good credit, not financial need, is required.
- To receive a Parent PLUS Loan, the parent(s) must not have an adverse credit history. Parents may borrow up to the total cost of the student attending college (determined by the school) minus any other financial assistance received. Repayment begins 60 days after funds are disbursed but may be deferred for a 6-month period after the student graduates. If a parent borrower is unable to obtain a PLUS loan, the undergraduate dependent student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans.
- National SMART Grant – Federal SMART grants may be awarded to 3rd and 4th year Pell recipients who are enrolled in specific math or science majors. Similar to the ACG, funding is limited, so not all Pell recipients receive these.
- Pell Grant – This is a need-based grant which is awarded to students with the highest calculated financial need and does not have to be repaid. The maximum Pell Grant is currently $7,395 per year. Eligibility is based on a financial formula. These grants are limited to students with financial need who have not earned their first bachelor’s degree.
- SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) – Federal loan awarded to Pell Grant recipients who have the highest need. Schools receive a limited amount of SEOG from the federal government, so not all Pell recipients will receive it. Amounts range from $100 to $4,000. The SEOG does not have to be repaid.
Subsidized Federal Direct Loans:
A subsidized Federal Direct Loan means that the government will subsidize the interest while the student is enrolled or in deferment. This loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Approximately 2/3 of subsidized Federal Direct loans are awarded to students with family gross incomes under $50,000.
Unsubsidized Federal DIrect Loans:
An unsubsidized loan means that the student is responsible for paying the interest on the loan from the minute the loan is granted. Students may, however, have payments deferred until after graduation, at which point they may take 10-25 years to repay. This loan is not awarded based on need, which means that all students are eligible for it. The interest that accrues is capitalized and added to the principal.
Loan Type and Interest Rate:
Direct Subsidized Loan (undergrad) = 6.53%
Direct Unsubsidized Loan (undergrad) = 8.08%
Direct Loan (parent, graduate or professional students) = 9.08%
Graduate students are automatically considered “independent” of their parents for purposes of obtaining federal loans (and completing FAFSA), regardless of their age. If the student is going to medical school, FAFSA recommends that parent sections be filled out because individual medical schools may consider parental information when administering their own financial aid.
Some schools use this information to determine if some of their students are from low income families and therefore may remove the parent expectation and replace it with more institutional aid.
Applicant FAQ
The average JELF loan is approximately $4,800 per academic year. This figure can vary from year to year depending on a range of factors, including the financial needs of applicants, the total amount of funds available for distribution, and the specific circumstances of each application. JELF strives to assist as many students as possible, and the amount awarded aims to provide meaningful support while ensuring the sustainability of the fund for future recipients.
JELF provides interest-free loans (as opposed to scholarships) to Jewish students with demonstrated financial need. As each student loan is repaid, the funds recycle to help future students in need.
For other resources on paying for college and more, visit our Financial Resources Page.
A “last dollar” loan from JELF helps cover the remaining expenses after all other financial aid options have been exhausted. Here’s how it works:
- Application Process: Students apply to JELF after securing all possible scholarships and loans, including Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, which are low-interest loans available to those who complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Determining Need: Since school costs vary, JELF determines the loan amount based on the student’s remaining financial need after their other aid is applied.
- Loan Details: JELF provides “last dollar” loans, typically ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 annually. The exact loan amount varies depending on each student’s remaining financial need.
No, there is no application fee to apply for a JELF loan. Our loans are completely free—there are no fees or interest. Recipients only repay the amount they actually borrow.
- Eligibility: JELF supports Jewish students, defined by lineage or conversion (Messianic Jewish individuals are not eligible). Applicants can describe their religious identification in the application.
- Educational Requirements: Students must be pursuing a degree and be registered full-time at a U.S.-accredited college, university, or vocational school.
- Residency: Applicants must legally reside in JELF’s five-state region: FL, GA, NC, SC, or VA (excluding metro DC).
- Age: There is no age limit for applying, though most recipients are between 18 and 25.
- Need: Each recipient must demonstrate financial need through documentation and details provided in the personal interview.
JELF serves students in the following states:
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia (excluding metro DC)
This region was established when JELF was founded as the Hebrew Orphans’ Home (HOH) in 1889, serving B’nai B’rith District #5, which continues to be JELF’s service area.
Residency Requirement:
- Students must have lived in the five-state region for at least one year before the application deadline.
- Proof of residency can include legal documents such as a driver’s license or tax return.
- Students can attend any U.S.-accredited school, regardless of location.
For Hebrew or Jewish Free Loan agencies outside JELF’s five-state region, you can find a list through the International Association of Jewish Free Loans.
JELF provides funding for students to attend any U.S.-accredited college, university, or vocational school of their choice.
- Full Academic Year: January 1 to April 30
- Spring and/or Summer Semesters: August 1 to September 30
JELF loans are based on financial need, not a student’s GPA. In order to be eligible (or stay eligible) for funding, all loan recipients must prove to be in good academic standing each semester.
JELF loans are available for students attending U.S.-accredited universities, vocational, or CTE (Career & Technical Education) programs. If a school is eligible for FAFSA, it meets JELF’s criteria.
Although most international universities are not FAFSA-eligible, JELF has funded programs outside the U.S., such as the American Medical Program at Tel Aviv University in Israel, which is accredited through NYU.
To determine if an international school qualifies for FAFSA, please contact the university or program directly.
The personal interview, involving both the student and their cosigner(s), is designed to gain a deeper understanding of the applicant’s needs beyond what financial documents can show. This in-person or video interview will cover:
- Educational Program: Details about the student’s chosen program and professional goals.
- Financial Situation: Current financial status, debts, and any special expenses.
- Family Dynamics: Context about the student’s family situation.
Confidentiality: The interview is conducted with strict confidentiality. The Local JELF Administrator (LJA), often a social worker from a local Jewish agency, is involved in the intake process but does not make funding decisions. Post-interview, information is presented anonymously to JELF’s Loan Review Committee, along with a summary of the application.
Click here for more details or to prepare for a JELF interview.
This is not a problem! As long as an applicant has legal residency within JELF’s five-state region, JELF will consider them. Many applicants come from smaller Jewish communities, and we ensure that a Local JELF Administrator (LJA) is assigned to each student regardless of location. For further assistance, please visit our LJA page.
Once awarded a JELF loan, both the student and their cosigner(s) must sign a Promissory Note accepting the loan amount. After the Promissory Note is fully executed, JELF will deposit the loan through an ACH (automatic bank deposit) following bank account verification. For full academic year awards, the loan is disbursed in two installments: half in August and the other half in December, assuming the student remains in good academic standing.
Yes. Most applicants do not yet know their total financial resources when applying. If a student no longer needs to borrow funds from JELF after being awarded a loan, they do not have to accept it. JELF appreciates it if the student or family withdraws their application as soon as they realize they no longer need the loan. Students can reapply for subsequent school years if they discover a gap in funding.
No, applicants do not request a specific dollar amount. JELF determines a student’s need by subtracting their total financial resources (including state, school, and federal aid, as well as possible family contributions) from the total cost of attendance for that academic year.
To compile a summary of each student’s need, JELF uses a combination of the FAFSA Submission Summary, applicant and/or parents’ tax returns, and additional financial information provided on the loan application and during the personal interview.
Because financial circumstances and school costs can change annually, JELF loan reviewers evaluate all loan information and supporting documents each year.
JELF takes both the total cost of the student’s education as well as the family’s total resources into account. We have found that defining need is very personal and different for different families – based not only on household income but also the number of individuals in a household, as well as a medley of other factors related to health or employment that may directly alter what funds exist for a student’s higher education.
Learn more here about JELF’s process for determining each applicant’s loan amount.
JELF loans are awarded directly to the student, not their family or the school they are attending. If a student applies for funding for the full academic year, JELF divides the loan into two equal payments, one at the beginning of the school year and the second in mid-to-late December. It is up to each student to determine how they best need to utilize these funds throughout the semester.
No, JELF does not require Parent PLUS loans. However, if a student’s gap is considerably larger than JELF’s average loan size that school year, JELF may advise a student or family that they need more financial aid before JELF can assist, as JELF loans are ‘last dollar,’ typically covering everything from food to books and healthcare and more.
At JELF, the difference between a dependent and independent student depends on whether the student is relying on any parental support.
- Dependent student – Typically under the age of 25 and is claimed on parents’ income tax form(s) for the previous year.
- Independent student – Typically 25 or older. If under 25, must not be claimed on parents’ income tax form and cannot receive any parental support. If a student is independent and under 25, JELF will require further verification.
A cosigner is someone willing to be legally responsible for a borrower’s repayment if the borrower defaults. While JELF does not charge interest or any fees, we are responsible for ensuring that every dollar loaned is repaid in full. JELF therefore requires a cosigner for each loan made.
A cosigner is someone who agrees to be legally responsible for a borrower’s repayment if the borrower defaults. While JELF does not charge interest or fees, we must ensure that every dollar loaned is repaid in full. Therefore, each loan requires a cosigner.
Cosigner Requirements:
- Must reside in the U.S.
- Provide tax returns, W-2s, and a government-issued photo ID
- Cannot be the applicant’s spouse
Typical Cosigner Relationships:
- Parent
- Legal guardian
- Relative
All cosigners must complete JELF’s cosigner form, including all required documentation, at the appropriate time and after receiving email instructions.
While typically a parent, legal guardian or relative, there are other examples of cosigner relationships. All cosigners must complete JELF’s cosigner form (at the appropriate time and after receiving email instructions to do so), including all required documentation.
JELF maintains strict confidentiality regarding the identities of its applicants. Only the appropriate JELF staff and the Local JELF Administrator (LJA) who interviews the applicant and cosigner will know about the loan application.
We are sensitive to the issues that lead individuals to seek financial assistance, and we ensure privacy by assigning each application a non-identifying code. JELF loan reviewers and other staff members do not have access to an applicant’s name or gender.
JELF never sells or gives lists of loan applicants to outside parties and will only disclose the name of a recipient with the recipient’s permission.
JELF prioritizes the security of all information throughout the application process.
- Secure Transmission and Storage: All data collected from students and cosigners is transmitted via our secure email platform and stored on our private, secure server and CRM software.
- Maintaining Confidentiality: We diligently maintain the confidentiality of your information during its use and promptly delete it when no longer needed.
- Proven Track Record: In our six decades of handling educational loans, JELF has never experienced a data breach.
- Prompt Notification: If any breach were ever suspected, affected parties would be promptly notified.