Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

WASHINGTON—To help ease the financial burden on Jewish college students and their families, Hillel International, the largest global Jewish campus organization, this week launched two scholarships available to students attending college anywhere in the U.S. and Canada for the first time in its 96-year-history. 

As the rise in the cost of attending college has outgrown the rise of household income over the past two decades, Hillel International is actively working to connect students with the resources they need. This year, Hillel International will offer two merit-based scholarships, each worth $4,000:

Handeli First-Year Student Scholarship: Awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who identifies as Jewish, demonstrates a record of leadership and volunteer service, and is preparing to attend an accredited four-year college or university. Current high school seniors or students currently on a gap year program are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Hillel Campus Leadership Award: Awarded annually to a full-time student who identifies as Jewish, demonstrates extraordinary leadership abilities and is seeking a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college or university. Current college undergraduates (current freshmen, sophomores or juniors) are eligible to apply.

For both scholarships, applicants must attend or be preparing to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada and identify as Jewish with a 2.5 GPA or above to be considered for the award. A full list of requirements can be found here.

The deadline to apply for both scholarships is March 15, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.Students looking for more scholarship opportunities should visit Hillel’s Jewish Scholarship Portal, a one-stop shop for hundreds of scholarships for Jewish students.