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JELF provides 0% interest loans to Jewish students from a five-state region (FL, GA, NC, SC, VA) for undergrad, graduate or vocational programs. Students can attend any U.S. accredited school.

Our vision is that every Jewish student with financial hardship can borrow from JELF to obtain the accredited higher education of their choice.

JELF is audited annually and we pride ourselves on our commitment to accountability and financial transparency, ensuring donors and partners have full confidence in our stewardship of funds:

• 2022 990
• Audited Financials
• Annual Reports

You can also verify JELF's non-profit status with the official IRS determination letter, affirming our commitment to operating as a tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

JELF’s revenue sources stem from:

• Fundraising: Grants requests and individual solicitations account for roughly 15% of JELF’s yearly income. Additionally, JELF’s volunteer board actively helps the organization achieve its financial objectives by regularly soliciting new and former donors.
• Investments: The funds in JELF’s modest investment account are carefully monitored and stewarded by JELF’s longtime investment firm, as well as JELF's Treasurer, finance and investment committees, and longtime COO.
• Repayments: JELF’s 99% student repayment rate ensures that its interest-free investments in deserving Jewish students provide a steady return of funds -- which the organization then re-loans to current/future applicants.

At JELF, our small yet dynamic team, led by Jenna Leopold Shulman, consists of seven dedicated professionals who collectively strive to ensure the success of our organization. With years of experience and unwavering dedication, our team is committed to serving our mission with passion and expertise, making a lasting impact on the lives of deserving students.

Learn more here about JELF's leadership.

JELF is proud to have a committed Board of Directors and Executive Team, each serving a minimum of a 3-year term with JELF. Our leadership team not only provides strategic guidance but also actively supports JELF financially, demonstrating 100% dedication to our mission.

Click here to learn more about JELF's 2024 Board of Directors and Executive Team.

JELF’s singular focus provides a direct impact by enabling students to maximize their personal and professional potential and become contributing members of society.

Unfortunately, the relative wealth of the Jewish community often shadows the fact that there are many low-and middle-income Jews living in the U.S. In total, 10% of students served in 2023 have been on food stamps at any point in their life.  12% currently receive some other form of government aid (e.g. Welfare, Social Security, Medicaid).  23% of undergraduate students received a Pell Grant, which means they demonstrate a significant need.  In 2023, 40% of families served by JELF earned less than $60,000 in the last year.

Even with robust financial aid packages (grants, scholarships, family support), many students still experience a significant gap in college funding. JELF’s “gap” loans offset more than just tuition - they also help pay for room and board, books/supplies, transportation, utilities, food and more. In 2023, JELF provided support to 438 students with $2,055,042 in interest-free loans.

JELF’s interest-free loan program is ongoing/year-round, and runs on a cyclical basis with two application periods. The spring application is open from January – April and services students attending school for the following academic year. For those who miss the spring application, JELF also offers the opportunity to apply each August – September for funding for the following spring and summer semesters.

JELF's model has always been to partner with Jewish agencies and social workers to help administer loans at the local level.  In all of our communities, we work with LJAs (Local JELF Administrators) who interview each applicant - and help guide you through the process.  In addition, JELF regularly partners with organizations and schools that reach our target audience, including Hillel chapters, synagogues, college programs, and more.

Click here to learn more about JELF's partnerships.

JELF evaluates organizational success through its loan program repayment rate and alumni engagement. After a student’s final graduation from school, recipients have six months before beginning repayment on their interest-free loans, which they then have eight years to complete at a graduated repayment rate.

JELF’s 99% repayment rate (for 17 consecutive years) is proof of the financial self-sufficiency of JELF’s recipients and the best indicator of our organizational success.

In addition to the repayment rate, the JELF staff evaluates the impact of our interest-free loan program through student and alumni surveys, which are both regularly administered. Through these surveys, JELF has learned that after receiving JELF loans, the majority of recipients also feel a deeper connection with the Jewish community.  This often leads to former recipients seeking opportunities to become more involved in their Jewish community and/or contributing back to the Jewish community, thus deepening their Jewish engagement.

Explore more about JELF's data-driven approach to impact assessment here.

At JELF, we firmly believe in the power of strategic planning as a cornerstone of our organizational success. For over two decades, we have consistently pursued four-year strategic plans, recognizing their pivotal role in guiding our mission-driven initiatives and ensuring long-term sustainability. Through strategic foresight and proactive decision-making, we continuously strive to adapt and evolve, effectively addressing the dynamic needs of the communities we serve.

JELF is consistently ranked as a four-star charity on Charity Navigator, underscoring our commitment to excellence and the positive difference we make in the communities we serve.

JELF shares the latest updates and insights from our organization through our JELF News page, which features news, press releases, media coverage and more.

In addition, you can visit our Video Library and learn more about us through any of our social media platforms:

• Facebook (@jelfloans)
• Instagram (@jelfloans)
• LinkedIn

Ready to connect?

Feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our work, explore partnership opportunities, or inquire about how you can get involved, as we welcome collaboration and dialogue with partners who share our vision for a better future.