JVS Chicago Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
College can be costly. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago helps make it more affordable.
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are open now. Apply online. All applications and supporting materials must be received by March 1, 2026.
If you have questions or need more information, email jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org or call 312.673.3444.
Program overview
- These scholarships are funded through the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to assist Jewish undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need and are preparing for careers in the helping professions.
- Awards can be up to $4,000 and may be renewable.
Who may apply
You may submit an application if you meet all of the following:
- Are Jewish.
- Were born and raised in the Chicago metropolitan area (including Lake County, Indiana), or have completed one continuous year of full‑time employment in the Chicago metro area immediately prior to enrollment.
- Plan to stay in or return to the Chicago metropolitan area after finishing your studies.
- Will be enrolled full time for the 2026–2027 academic year (fall 2026 through spring 2027) as either:
- A graduate student entering an accredited program in a helping profession, or
- An undergraduate entering your junior or senior year of an accredited bachelor’s program focused on a helping profession.
- Demonstrate financial need and show promise in your chosen career field.
The Chicago metropolitan area includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.
What counts as a “helping profession”
Applicants must show career potential in one of the following fields. If you’re unsure whether your program qualifies, contact us at 312.673.3444 or jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org before submitting your application.
Examples of qualifying fields include:
- BUSINESS (undergraduate applicants only at U.I.U.C.)
- COMMUNICATIONS (undergraduate applicants only at the College of Media, U.I.U.C.)
- EDUCATION (e.g., teacher, Jewish studies, education journalist)
- HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH
- JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE
- LAW (public interest)
- MEDICINE (includes audiologist, chiropractor, dental hygienist, dentist, physician, 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, counselor/therapist)
- THE RABBINATE (rabbi, cantor)
- TECH / SCIENCES (architect, biomedical engineer, biochemist, chemist, engineer, computer scientist, environmental engineer, mathematician, and other science-related careers)
- URBAN AFFAIRS / PUBLIC POLICY
Additional notes
- You do not need to have an acceptance letter from a school at the time you apply.
- The program reviews applications from eligible students whose demonstrated financial need is not fully covered by other appropriate funding sources.
Next steps / Contact
To begin your application or for more information, apply online or contact jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org. For questions about the Jewish Federation Shirley Ehrlich Student Loan Program, please reach out to the same contact.