Academic Scholarships

During 2022, 111 years since our establishment, we provided $135,500 in Financial Aid to deserving Jewish Students of Western New York.

Our Academic Scholarship and Loan Program accepts applications from April 1 – June 1.  Once submitted, your application places you under consideration for both the Academic Scholarships and the Hoenig Loans. Questions? Contact scholarships@jewishphilanthropies.org

Since 2006 we have awarded over $1,439,806 in the form of grants and $470,000 in the form of interest free loans.

Our Scholarships could not be made possible without the generosity of our donors.

Scholarship Applications will be available online beginning on April 1.

Completed application and supporting documentation must be submitted by June 1 to receive a scholarship, loan or grant for the upcoming academic year beginning in September.  The Career Services Department of Jewish Family Services will contact you to schedule a confidential interview after receiving your application and materials.  Notification of awards will be made by August 15.

Donors

Our loan program was made possible through the establishment of the Isaac Hoenig Memorial Fund in 1918.  The proceeds of Mr. Hoenig’s Estate created an endowed fund that in 1918 provided $1,792 to be awarded annually.  Today, that same endowment fund can provide up to $26,000 a year!

The Endowments that support our scholarship program were also established through the generosity of our donors, who preserved their legacy through the education of future generations.  These generous donors include:

Sidney & Jeanette Birzon Memorial Fund

Raymond & Sara Ehrenreich Scholarship Fund

Isadore & Bessie Federman Scholarship Fund

Rose H. & Leonard H. Frank Academic Scholarship Fund

Anna E. & Bernard I. Gross Scholarship Fund

Isaac Hoenig Memorial Fund

Dr. Martin & Edith L. Horowitz Scholarship Fund

Louis M. Jacobs Scholarship Fund

Jewish Liberal Arts Club Scholarship Fund

Kasnachey Family Scholarship Fund

Knights of Pythias — Jonathan David Lodge Scholarship Fund

Edna, Lillian P. & Beatrice J. Kohn Scholarship Fund

Dr. Harold J. and Arlyne Levy Award in Jewish Studies

Maimonides Medical Society Fund

Medical Students Aid Society

Sarah & Nettie Nathan Scholarship Fund

Dr. Meyer & Ann S. Riwchun Scholarship Fund

Dr. Louis Sklarow Award Fund

Benjamin & M. Madalene Smith Scholarship Fund

Ed Snyder Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Ruth H. Spector & Rhoda Spector Memorial Fund

Paul Swados Scholarship Fund

Iola Zeckhauser Scholarship Fund

Eligibility & Guidelines

Basic Eligibility Criteria

  • Jewish students who attended public or private high school in Erie or Niagara County in New York State.
  • Jewish students whose family’s permanent residence is in Erie or Niagara County in New York State, but attended an out-of-town high school with a concentration in Jewish studies
  • Jewish students who are residing in either Erie or Niagara County and are new Americans.
  • Eligible educational programs include graduate or undergraduate studies in institutions located anywhere in the United State or overseas, including the State of Israel.
  • Programs must lead to a degree or a certificate of completion for the prescribed course of study.
  • Documented financial need

Medical school criteria

Additionally, Medical School students at UB have an opportunity from the Medical Student Aid Society Scholarship.  Some of the eligibility requirements are:

  • Successful completion of one full academic year at an accredited medical school
  • Academic program must lead to a Medical Doctor’s degree
  • Documented financial need
  • Details will be made available on the UB Website when the opportunity is open for applications. You may also contact the Foundation, info@jewishphilanthropies.org.

Documentation Requirements

Before you begin your application, please gather the following materials which will need to be submitted as a PDF or JPG.

Financial Aid Forms & Supporting Documentation
  • Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Student Aid Report (SAR) which is obtained upon completion and processing of your FAFSA
  • Financial Aid Award Letter from your college/university. If you do not have this letter when you submit your application, please submit documentation of costs of attendance and details on how those costs will be met.
  • Verification of Income. Acceptable documents include individual/family tax returns (the first two pages of Form 1040 or the first three pages of Form 1040-SR), and/or W-2/1099 forms.
Academic Transcripts
  • High School students: Current copy of your student transcript, obtained through your School Counseling office
  • Undergraduate students: Student copy of your recent transcript (advising worksheets are not acceptable) obtained through the Registrar/Student Records Office
  • Graduate/Professional students: all undergraduate transcripts along with those from post-baccalaureate study (if you’ve begun) obtained through the Registrar/Student Records Office.

Questions? Contact Lisa August, Senior Career Services Program Manager at Jewish Family Services at laugust@jfsbuffalo.org or 716-883-1914 ext 336

The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies would be honored to assist you and your family in preserving your legacy through the education of future generations.

Irving H. Levy, Executive Director
(716) 204-1139 •  716-390-9653 •  Irv@jewishphilanthropies.org