For summer 2025 we are continuing to offer the choice between two options: a short form with a pre-determined award amount ($250) or a longer application with a need-based award to be determined on a case-by-case basis by our award committee. Both the short form and the long form are financial need based, though the long form will require more financial information and documentation, They will both require financial documents and a scholarship is not guaranteed.. JCRS does not offer full camp scholarships but our hope is that our scholarship award in combination with scholarships from other Jewish organizations such as your local federation and your synagogue along with financial aid from the camp itself will help ease some of the financial burden of the tuition. We encourage all applicants to seek out financial aid from local organizations and camps themselves, in addition to applying for JCRS scholarship aid.
The application will open November 18th for Summer 2025 applicants. Our priority deadline remains February 28, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the scholarship options, please email our Camp Coordinator at [email protected].
At JCRS, we recognize the value of Jewish sleep-away camp as a unique opportunity for fun, personal growth, and Jewish identity-building. Jewish sleep-away camp allows children to enjoy new social activities and learning in a special environment that nurtures Jewish identity. JCRS would like all interested children to have this opportunity, but we recognize that for many families the high cost of overnight camp is prohibitive. In 2024, JCRS provided partial scholarship funding for over 460 children to attend Jewish camp. The amount of these scholarships varies in accordance with the circumstances of the child and family.
Information
Please read all information and application requirements carefully. If you application is completed before the February 28th priority deadline, you will receive a confirmation email from our Camp Coordinator within 4 weeks. Applications received after the priority deadline can take additional time to process. Applying prior to the priority deadline ensures that you get a scholarship award; applications submitted after are not guaranteed, and the response time will be longer.
- Children must reside in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas.
- Camper should be entering third to twelfth grade as of August 31, 2025.
- Camps or travel programs located in Israel or other countries are not within the scope of this program budget.
- A camp must be a nonprofit sleep-away camp under Jewish auspices.
- Camps must be located anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Camps located in Israel are not within the scope of this program budget.
- It is the responsibility of the person submitting the application to ensure that the camp meets these qualifications.
- Parents or guardians must provide family financial information. This information is maintained in private and is used by the JCRS solely to determine eligibility for a scholarship.
- It is the policy of the JCRS to obtain financial information from all legal parents and guardians of the applicant. Applications not containing this information will be marked “incomplete” and returned to the parent or guardian who submitted it.
- To receive priority, completed applications must be received no later than February 128, 2025. The application will not be processed until all financial documents are received.
How to Apply
Required Documents
- Most Current Complete Federal Tax Return.
- All 2024 W2s and/or 1099s. (If you are applying before you receive your 2024 W2s, please submit a copy of your final pay stub.)
- If these documents are not already computer files, you must scan them.
If you have any questions, email our Camp Coordinator at [email protected].
Things to Remember:
- You will still need to upload the required documents. Therefore, have them handy before starting the application.
- Camps or travel programs located in Israel or other countries are not within the scope of this program budget.
- You must apply to camp before you apply for scholarship funds.
Applications
The Short Form is for any family who wishes to be considered for a $250 award (per camper). The Long Form is for families experiencing stronger financial hardship that are interested in being considered for larger awards to assist sending their children to camp. Both the short form and the long form are based on financial need. If you have any questions regarding which form you should fill out, please email our Camp Coordinator at [email protected].
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