Israel Experience College- Merit Scholarship Program Grant

Israel Experience College- Merit Scholarship Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Jewish United Fund Of Metropolitan Chicago
Amount: Up to US $1,000
Last Updated: February 04, 2026

Summary

The Israel Experience College Merit Scholarship Program, offered by the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, provides $1,000 scholarships to high school and college students up to age 23. This program seeks to recognize emerging leaders who demonstrate commitment to the Jewish community, Israel, and exhibit leadership skills. Applicants must be residents or students in metropolitan Chicago and show evidence of community service. Participation in post-Israel communal activities is encouraged.

Overview

Who We Are Community-driven support for JUF’s Annual Campaign enables us to be one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the country. JUF believes in the extraordinary power of our resilient community to unite, empower, help and heal. Rooted in the belief in collective action and collective responsibility, JUF provides life-saving services and life-enriching experiences where they are needed most. We take great pride in this, and in our unique ability to help people—to provide essential health and human services and vital points of community and connection. For more than 120 years, JUF has served people of all faiths in Chicago, Israel and across the globe. We are a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired by Jewish values, committed to eradicating hunger, isolation and inequities, and uplifting all people to find health, harmony, unity, prosperity and peace. Merit Scholarship Program The Jewish United Fund offers a limited number of merit scholarships ($1,000 each) annually to high school students, college students, and young adults up to age 23 who demonstrate significant leadership skills. The purpose of these scholarships is to strengthen Jewish identity, nourish greater commitment to Israel and the Chicago Jewish community, and to recognize future leaders.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant must be at least a sophomore in high school up to age 23 years old.Applicant must reside or attend school in metropolitan Chicago.Applicant must have applied to or be in the process of applying to an approved Israel program which does not begin until after the application deadline.Demonstrate evidence of leadership, range of community service and involvement (either Jewish or secular or both), and the potential impact of your Israel experiencePrevious applicants who did not receive a merit scholarship may apply again.Programs must begin during the summer or fall.Financial status is not considered in the merit scholarship process. You may seek additional funding from your Israel program, your congregation, JUF’s financial need scholarship program, other JUF Israel experience savings programs, and other sources which may be available to you.The balance of fees due to the program is your and your family’s personal responsibility. If you fail to complete the program, you and your family will have to repay any JUF scholarship award to the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.

Ineligibility

Previous merit scholarship winners are not eligible to reapply.