The Jewish Federation of St. Louis Scholarships & Interest-Free Loan Program

Jewish Federation of St. Louis is the Jewish community’s central philanthropic, planning and community-building organization. Founded in 1901, we are one of the region’s most respected and effective nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to mobilize the Jewish community and its human and financial resources to preserve and enhance Jewish life in St. Louis, in Israel and around the world. We help ensure that every individual in our community can live their life with dignity, meaning and purpose.

Jewish Federation distributes a number of academic scholarships and interest-free loan to St. Louis area students through seven named funds. These scholarships and interest-free loan are open to residents of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, with a preference given to Jewish applicants unless indicated.

Eligibility for each fund is described below:

• The Lentin Scholarship Fund provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to high school seniors who have completed secondary school and who are enrolling in full-time undergraduate degree programs or vocational programs at accredited nonprofit colleges or universities. Applicants must have permanent residence (graduating from area high school) in the St. Louis metropolitan area and must demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients may re-apply for an award in subsequent years as long as the student continues to meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship preference will be given to applicants of any faith with some connection to the Jewish community and first-generation college students. This Fund was established by Scott Lentin.

• The Benjamin D. and Miriam Pessin Education Assistance Fund provides provides a $2,500 scholarship to qualified students pursuing a business degree. Applicants must demonstrate scholastic achievement and financial need. Applicants must also reside in the St. Louis metropolitan area or consider the St. Louis metropolitan area their permanent residence, even if residing elsewhere to attend school. This Fund was established in memory of Benjamin D. and Miriam Pessin by members of their immediate family.

• The Sam A. Kessler Memorial Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship for a local law school student. Applicants must have resided in the St. Louis metropolitan area for no less than 10 years, demonstrate financial need and show a willingness to contribute their time and talent to the Jewish community. This scholarship was established by friends of the late Sam A. Kessler.

• The Richard L. Levis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund provides up to $1,000 in scholarship money to Missouri area college or university students. The scholarship has no restrictions with regard to curriculum, but the applicant is required to demonstrate scholastic achievement and financial need. This Fund was established in memory of Richard L. Levis, Jr. by his widow, Barbara Rosen.

• The Blanche and Irving Miller Scholarship Fund provides $1,000 scholarships to deserving and qualified students enrolled in accredited colleges or universities who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in professional fields. These include, but are not limited to, law, medicine, hospital administration and journalism. This Fund was established through a bequest from the estate of Blanche and Irving Miller.

• The L. Allen Zorensky Fine Arts Loan Fund awards interest-free loans to students pursuing an education in fine arts or other arts at a post-secondary level at a recognized accredited academic institution. Loan recipients must sign a promissory note in which the recipient agrees to repay the loan, in full, within five years of graduation.

• The Ruth Greenberg Memorial Fund for Rabbinical Training provides scholarships of up to $2,500 for rabbinical training for St. Louis residents demonstrating financial need and intent to pursue a career in the rabbinate. This Fund was established by the late Ruth Greenberg.

• The Loeb Family Scholarship Fund provides grants or scholarships for as much as $5,000 annually for study at an accredited nonprofit institution, either a technical or vocational school, community college, four-year college or university, or professional school. Awards are made to applicants from the local Jewish community, based on the potential to significantly improve an applicant’s long-term prospects and financial need, with preference given to first-generation students. Awards are renewable for up to a total of four years, subject to satisfactory progress and performance, and to continuing need.

Please direct questions regarding any of these scholarships from The Jewish Federation of St. Louis to (314) 442-3824.

Donor
The Jewish Federation
Award
varies, up to $10,000
Deadline
04/04/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please indicate which scholarship(s) you are applying for:
  2. How long have you lived in the St. Louis Area?
  3. Do you consider yourself Jewish?
  4. If you are applying for the Lentin Scholarship, please answer these questions:
    • 1. What is your connection to the Jewish community?
    • 2. What is/are the name(s) of the organization, camp or program? If you selected "other" please describe your connection to the Jewish community.
    • 3. Do any of your parents have an Associate degree or a Bachelor’s degree?
  5. Please provide the following information for your parent(s) and or legal guardian(s):
    • Name
    • Occupation
    • Permanent Address
  6. Please list the name of your spouse, if applicable:
  7. Please list the names and ages of any dependents you may have:
    • Dependent age
    • Dependent name
  8. Have you previously applied for a JCF scholarship?
  9. Upload your FAFSA Submission Summary. Skip this question if you are ONLY applying for the Blanche and Irving Miller Scholarship Fund.
  10. Financial Information: Please note your anticipated expenses for the coming school year:
    • 1. Tuition amount
    • 2. Room and board amount
    • 3. Books and supplies
    • 4. Transportation
    • 5. Other (please note amount and explanation)
  11. Please explain any special circumstances or expenses that may affect your financial need.
  12. Please list any special honors, awards, scholarships and/or fellowships you have received:
    • Date received:
    • Special honor, award, scholarship and/or fellowship name:
  13. Please list any community and/or civic activities or organizations in which you have participated:
    • 1. Brief description of activity
    • 2. Frequency (ie. hours/week)
    • 3. Dates (from/to)
  14. Employment
    • 1. Employer
    • 2. Address
    • 3. Position
    • 4. Frequency (ie. hours/week)
    • 5. Dates (start date/end date)
  15. Please describe any other special interests you have:
  16. Briefly outline your education and career plans.
  17. Please tell us about yourself and why you think you merit a scholarship or interest free loan from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Include what your Jewish identity means to you and/or experience with the Jewish community (day camps, experience with a Jewish organization, etc.) If you are a first generation college student, please give additional details. Please limit your essay to no more than 1,000 words.
  18. SCHOLARSHIP CENTRAL RECOMMENDATION: Enter the name and e-mail address of an instructor, counselor, advisor, supervisor or other similarly qualified individual who will submit a recommendation on your behalf. NOTE: As the applicant, it is your responsibility to inform that person to watch for an email sent on your behalf that will explain how to complete this process.
  19. APPLICANT SIGNATURE: By entering my full name below, I authorize The Jewish Federation of St. Louis and its agents to examine, verify and discuss my academic and/or financial records and other information which applies to the consideration of this application. I certify that all answers are accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge, and that all information in the application and essays are my own work.
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