Jewish Federation Bay Area College Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Jewish Federation Bay Area
Overview
Since 2004 the Federation’s College Scholarship Program has distributed more than $7 million in awards, helping thousands of students attend accredited nonprofit colleges and universities. Each year the program typically grants about 70 scholarships, with total annual funding near $400,000.
Available Scholarships and Eligibility
- There are 16 distinct scholarship opportunities awarded on the basis of merit and/or financial need.
- Most awards are intended for Jewish students who are permanent residents of one of the nine Bay Area counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Marin, Napa, or Sonoma.
- The majority of scholarships may be renewed.
- Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, current undergraduate students, re-entry students, and graduate students.
- Scholarships are limited to full-time students only (enrollment of 12 or more units per quarter/semester is required).
Application Period and Important Change
Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are open now and must be submitted by March 15, 2026. Beginning with the 2026–27 cycle there will be a single application form for everyone—whether you are applying for a new scholarship or requesting renewal of a previous award.
How the Application Works
The application asks questions that map to the eligibility conditions for the 16 scholarships. Based on your answers, the system will show which scholarships you qualify for; you may then choose which of those you want to be considered for. If you are submitting a renewal request, you are encouraged to also indicate interest in other scholarships in case your existing award is not renewed. Applicants may be eligible to receive more than one Federation scholarship in a given year.
Required Materials (to upload with your application)
Applications are due by March 15, 2026. The following items must be uploaded as part of a complete application:
- Cumulative transcripts (college transcripts if you are a current/re-entry/graduate student; high school transcripts if you are a graduating senior).
- A short resume highlighting extracurricular activities.
- Short-answer responses and essay(s). (Essay prompts will not be released before the application opens.)
- One letter of recommendation. You will name your recommender in the application; the system will email your recommender with instructions to submit the letter on your behalf.
- The first page of the most recent federal tax return—either your family’s return or your own if you are not claimed as a dependent.
- A financial aid award letter from your college that lists all grants, loans, and outside awards you have been offered, if you have received this information by the application deadline. If the financial aid letter is not yet available when you apply, you are responsible for uploading it once it becomes available.
If you have questions about the application or required documents, contact the Federation’s scholarship office for assistance.