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Student Loans and Grants

Purpose: The purpose of the student aid loan program is to enable Jewish college students to finance their undergraduate school education.

Program: JFS administers a loan program which provides loans to eligible Jewish students in the community to enable them to finance undergraduate college studies. The monies lent are provided by the fundraising efforts of the Queen Esther Ladies Aid Society. This fund is called the Rella Roth Fund. The Betty Lieberman Sirotkin Fund is funded by the Sirotkin Family. These funds are revolving. The availability of new loans revolves heavily on the prompt repayment of loans by prior recipients. No interest is charged on loans made unless the loans are not repaid in a timely fashion.

Loan Limits: It is the current policy of JFS to provide loans of $750 per semester from the Rella Roth Fund, and in special circumstances, $500 from The Betty Lieberman Sirotkin Fund. These funds are intended to supplement grants and loans available through other sources. The amounts may change in subsequent years as funding availability requires.

Eligibility: Students who have qualified for state/federal grants and loans are eligible for a student loan. Under special circumstances, JFS will provide loans to families who do not qualify for loans under the state/federal criteria.

Procedure:

1. 1. Students should apply for a basic education opportunity grant (BEOG) from the federal government and a grant from the PA Higher Education Administration. (PHEAA).
2. 2. Students should meet with their school guidance counselor to explore other sources of grants or loans which might be available.
3. 3. Contact JFS for an appointment. A member of the staff will meet with the student and their family to review the potential sources of funding. These will include grants, loans, scholarships, employment and contributions by family members as well as the projected cost for one year (tuition, fees, housing, books, travel, food, etc.).
4. 4. The loan deadline is July 1 for the Fall semester and December 15 for the Spring semester. The following materials must be available: application, financial aid form, college verification, grades.
5. 5. A meeting of the Student Loan committee will take place after applications and interviews are complete. Committee determines (anonymously) approval of loan.

Guarantee of Repayment: A legally binding agreement must be signed by student and parent(s) or spouse if married. A schedule of repayment is discussed. If a loan is in default, JFS reserves the right to take legal action to recover the amount loaned and to add an interest charge.

In June 2002, the Max Bartikowsky Scholarship Fund was established as a vehicle to provide opportunities for Wyoming Valley Jewish students to receive loans form JFS for continuing their higher educational ambitions. The funds were secured through donations that were and continue to be made in honor of one of the Valley's most distinguished citizens- Max Bartikowsky.

The intent of the fund is to provide a no interest loan to Jewish students who have completed undergraduate school and intend to continue to pursue graduate work in their chosen specialty.

The loan would be available through the procedures and guidelines established by the JFS Student Loan Committee. Generally, these guidelines have been well established over many years and utilized to provide loans (and now grants) to Jewish high school students who have decided to attend an undergraduate college or university.

With the availability of the Max Bartikowsky Scholarship Fund, the intent to is utilize these dollars for those Jewish students who have completed undergraduate school and wish to attend postgraduate school.

In the first year, a maximum of $1000 would be made available to a student. The funds would be repaid over a two year period of time following completion of the graduate program.

To be eligible for the Scholarship Fund, the student must complete the application process developed and utilized by the JFS Student Aid Committee.

All information is confidential. The Fund will be publicized as to its availability in the Jewish Reporter and through other communication media, as determined by the JFS staff.

Edward and Florence Sykes Gelb Charitable Trust Guidelines

Program: Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Community Center administers a scholarship program which grants gifts to eligible Jewish students in the community to enable them to finance undergraduate and graduate college studies. The monies have been provided by the Edward and Florence Sykes Gelb Estate .

Eligibility: You are eligible to receive a scholarship from the Edward and Florence Sykes Gelb Trust if you are a Jewish undergraduate or graduate student and are in need of financial assistance.

Procedure:

1. Apply for a Basic Education Opportunity Grant (BEOG) from the federal government, plus a grant from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Administration (PHEAA).
2. Complete application and return written essay on why you believe you should receive scholarship.
3. Contact Jewish Family Service for an appointment.

Grant request deadlines are June 15th and December 25. A meeting with a JFS staff member is required by June 15 and December 25, respectively. The following information and materials should be available at these sessions:

1. Application form.
2. Copy of Financial Aid Form submitted to JFS.
3. Copy of grades/names of courses (if grades have not already been received by the student, a copy should be sent to JFS as soon as it becomes available)

We welcome your grant application. For more information, please contact Jewish Family Service at 71 W. Northampton St. , Wilkes-Barre , PA 18701 or at 570-823-5137. JFSWB71@aol.com.