General JELF Loans $1.9 million in 2022!

Applications for financial aid for the 2023-24 School Year Open January 3 – April 30

December 31, 2022 – In 2022, JELF assisted a total of 396 students with $1,931,235 in interest-free loans!

JELF qualifying applicants must be:
• A permanent resident of FL, GA, SC, NC, and VA (excluding metro DC) (they can, however, attend any U.S. accredited school)
• Enrolled full-time in a program leading to a degree or certificate
• In good academic standing
• A U.S. citizen, or have lawful immigration status
• Able to provide a designated co-signer
• Planning to accept federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans (2021 FAFSA application required)

JELF loans are intentionally designed to help cover costs associated with the educational and living expenses that other financial aid often does not cover, such as travel, rent, food, and books. JELF’s 0% interest loans help save borrowers thousands of dollars in high interest-bearing debt each year. With 45 million Americans in some form of outstanding interest-bearing student loan debt, this savings is a significant benefit to the Jewish students that JELF serves annually. The strength of the longstanding “free loan” model is based of funds lent to those in need, and then paid back to serve the next student – and so on. The organization’s built-in sustainability allows it to always help future students in need as funds are infinitely recycled. However, just as hundreds of former JELF recipients continue donating to JELF each year after completing repayment, JELF continues to rely on the help of community donors to keep up with tuition increases and inflation.

JELF loans are a gift from the Jewish community – which historically values higher education. While many organizations across the U.S. provide interest-free loans, JELF is distinct in that it is the only Jewish organization exclusively focused on college financial aid. “This is the only type of organization I know of that when I write a check I know exactly where it’s going, and it keeps going. My dollars never die.” says Stan Lowenstein, former Board Chair and long-time JELF volunteer.

ABOUT JELF (JEWISH EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND)
JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) provides interest-free last dollar loans for higher education to Jewish students in need, bridging the gap between a student’s total financial resources and the cost of attending school. Since 1961, JELF has provided over $14+ million to 5,000+ students from JELF’s 5-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC). JELF is proud to boast a 99% repayment rate and strongly believes that money should not stand between a student and the education that they need to excel in life. JELF’s board and professional team are actively working to support students and their families by attracting the financial resources JELF needs to meet the ever-increasing demand for loans.

For the coming year, applications for JELF’s interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school, and vocational programs) are open to Jewish students beginning January 3 through April 30.

For more information about JELF, please visit jelf.org.