• Partnership Grants
• Need-Based Grants
• Marks & Brown Fellowships
• JFLA Interest-Free Loans

These different forms of financial aid may be combined where applicable.

Download IEP Application Form

Eligibility:

1. Applicants for IEP-Hillel Financial Assistance must be college students (undergraduate and graduate/professional) enrolled at LAHC campuses (including Cal Poly Pomona, Caltech, Claremont Colleges, CSUN, LMU, Occidental College, Santa Monica College, Pierce College, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, University of Judaism, USC, Valley College); or college students enrolled at other schools who are permanent residents of the Los Angeles Federation's service area.
2. Students attending schools where there are Hillel professional staff should contact the Hillel at that campus.  Students attending schools where there are no Hillel professionals should contact Lonee Frailich at the LAHC office (323-761-8555). Also, graduating high school seniors who will be attending a Israeli university program in the summer or year following their graduation should also contact Lonee Frailich.
3. There are no additional qualifications for applicants for Partnership Grants. Other forms of financial assistance do have additional qualifications.
4. Adults (ages 18-25) who are not enrolled as college students should also apply directly with the Saul Korin at LAHC.

Who Should NOT Apply Through Hillel?

1. IEP grants will not fund private vacations, visits with family, internships or programs which are not peer based.  IEP grants will generally not fund programs which have only a short portion of time in Israel, such as March of the Living, or Jewish programs taking place outside Israel.
2. Graduating high school seniors who are going to non-university programs (like Habonim Workshop or a yeshiva/seminary program) are not eligible for IEP grants through Hillel but should apply directly with the IEP office.  High school students who are not affiliated with synagogues who are IEP partners should apply for IEP grants through the Jewish Community Centers.

Partnership Grants:

1. Los Angeles Hillel Council and its campus Hillel units are IEP Partners.  As the IEP partner for the campus community, Hillel encourages IEP participation, facilitates financial aid requests and serves as the contact point with Jewish college students.
2. Students whose families are affiliated with a synagogue or organization that is also a IEP Partner (list available from IEP) should consider applying for a Partnership Grant through that institution.  Students can only receive one grant from the IEP during their college and post-college years.  Those partners are required to provide an additional 25% of the amount of the IEP grant (Hillel, as a Federation agency, does not provide this 25% match).
3. Partnership Grants may be awarded for up to $500 for short-term programs (or programs costing $3000 or less), and for up to $1000 for year-long programs (or programs costing over $3000).
4. Partnership Grant checks made payable only to the organization running the Israel program, not to the individual applicant.  A letter confirming the Partnership Grant amount will be sent to the applicant.
5. IEP Grants will fund the cost of the program itself, and will include airfare as part of the program cost only if the airfare is paid by the Israel program. Personal expenses cannot be included in the program cost.
6. Applications for Partnership Grants should be submitted at least 4-6 weeks prior to the program departure date. The deadlines for Need-Based and other Financial Assistance are different. Please see below.

Need-Based Grants

1. Students who seek Need-Based financial assistance should complete the "Need-Based" application pages.
2. Attach your parents' most recent tax return (1040 or equivalent) if they claim you as a dependent, or your own tax return if they do not.
3. The amounts awarded for Need-Based grants will be determined by the IEP Committee according to their established criteria (including income, commitment to finding other support, family size and expenses).
4. Need-Based Grants range from $100 to $1000.
5. Deadlines: If a student misses a deadline, they can apply in the next cycle as long as they will still be in Israel on the program at that time.

Interest-Free Loans from the Jewish Free Loan Association

1. You must be either a full-time student or employed full-time.
2. Loans are completely interest-free and have no administrative fees.
3. Loan amounts and repayment plans are determined on a case-by-case basis.  Most loans are for up to 50% of the cost of your program, up to a maximum of $5000.
4. Two co-signers are required.
5. Applications are reviewed individually on a weekly basis.
6. Please call Jewish Free Loans at 323-761-8830.

Marks & Brown Fellowships (grad & post-grad study)

1. Fellowships are for graduate and post-graduate year-long intensive study in Israel.
2. Criteria include financial need, academic achievements and plans for involvement in the Jewish community upon return from Israel.
3. Each year, up to six Fellowships of $2000 are awarded.
4. Complete Need-Based portion of application form, and enclose tax return documentation as described above.
5. On separate pages, briefly answer the following:
   1. Describe your previous academic and/or professional achievements.
   2. What are your academic and/or professional goals during your year-long study in Israel?
   3. Outline your academic and/or professional plans when you return and how you plan to be involved in the Jewish community.
6. Enclose two letters of reference for admission to your program.  Copies of letters already written as part of your program's application process are acceptable.  Also enclose one copy of your current college academic transcript.
7. All applications are reviewed together one time per year. Applications are due July 1.

Otzma

More Information

Download IEP Financial Aid Form