JCFS Chicago Scholarships Grant

The JCFS Chicago Scholarships provide financial assistance to Jewish college and graduate students from the Chicago metropolitan area pursuing careers in helping professions. With scholarships up to $4,000, this program aims to alleviate financial burdens for those demonstrating career promise and financial need. Applicants must be entering accredited programs full-time and intend to remain in the area post-graduation. This initiative highlights the commitment of Jewish Child and Family Services to empower the community through education and professional growth.

How it works
We administer educational scholarship funds from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to help Jewish college and graduate students offset some of their financial burden. Assistance is available for those with financial need who are pursuing careers in the helping professions. Scholarships range up to $4,000 and are potentially renewable.
**Applicants must demonstrate career promise in a helping profession such as:

• BUSINESS (undergraduate at U.I.U.C. only)
• COMMUNICATIONS (College of Media at U.I.U.C. only)
• EDUCATION – journalist, Jewish studies, teacher
• HEALTHCARE/PUBLIC HEALTH
• JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE
• LAW – public interest

MEDICINE – audiologist, chiropractor, dental hygienist, dentist, doctor, geneticist, nurse, occupational therapist, optometrist, pharmacist, physician’s assistant, physical therapist, researcher, speech therapist, veterinarian
PERFORMING/FINE ARTS – actor/actress, artist, musician, photographer, poet, playwright, sculptor
PHYSICAL/NATURAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SERVICE – gerontologist, psychologist, social worker, therapist/counselor
THE RABBINATE – cantor, rabbi
TECH/SCIENCES – architect, biomedical engineer, biochemist, chemist, engineer, computer scientist, environmental engineer, mathematician, other sciences
URBAN AFFAIRS/PUBLIC POLICY
School acceptance is not required at time of scholarship application.
Why it works:

• We process academic scholarship applications from eligible students who have financial needs that cannot be fully met by other appropriate resources.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are Jewish

Were born and raised in Chicago metropolitan area*, including Lake County, Indiana; or had one continuous year of full-time employment in the Chicago metro area prior to enrollment
Intend to remain in or return to the Chicago metropolitan area after completing school
Are entering an accredited graduate program in a helping profession** on a full-time basis for the fall 2025 through spring 2026 academic year or
Are entering your junior or senior year of an accredited bachelor’s degree program in a helping profession** on a full-time basis for the fall 2025 through spring 2026 academic year
Demonstrate financial need and career promise
*Chicago metropolitan area includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.