FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JELF CONTACT:
David Cohen, Marketing Director
770-396-3080
Need Money for School for the Spring/Summer 2020 Terms?
Apply for an INTEREST-FREE Loan for Higher Education September 1-30
RALEIGH, NC – August 1, 2019 - Applications for JELF’s interest-free loans for higher education (college, graduate school and vocational programs) will be open to Jewish students in the Raleigh-Cary area for the period January through August 2020 will be open September 1-30. JELF, in partnership with the Jewish Family Services of Raleigh-Cary, helps Jewish Students reach their academic goals. To qualify, the applicant must be:
A permanent resident of FL, GA, SC, NC, and VA (excluding the greater DC area) but can go to any U.S. accredited school
Enrolled full time in a program leading to a degree or certificate and in good academic standing
A U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status
Have a designated co-signer
Able to demonstrate financial need (2019 FAFSA application required)
The funds help pay the educational and living expenses that other financial aid doesn’t cover, such as travel, rent, food and books. JELF’s “no-interest” loans help save borrowers thousands of dollars in high-interest bearing debt. Currently, there are 45 million Americans with some form of outstanding interest-bearing student loans. 8 million Americans have a balance of $50,000 or more according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The strength of the longstanding “Free Loan” model is funds are lent to those in need, yet once the borrower can repay, the repayment goes to the next student - and so on. Thus, the same funds are recycled indefinitely, and the organization can help future students in need. In addition, donors can see their donations continue to do good far into the future. “This is the only type of organization I know of that when I write a check I know exactly where it’s going, and it keeps going. My dollars never die,” says Stan Lowenstein, a long-time JELF volunteer and current President of the Board.
There are many organizations that provide interest-free loans, but JELF is distinct in that it is the only Jewish organization in the U.S. focused solely on higher education. Students and their families can apply online at JELF.org.
ABOUT JELF (JEWISH EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND)
JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) provides interest-free last dollar loans for higher education to Jewish students in need bridging the gap between a student’s total financial resources and the cost of attending school. Since 1961, JELF has provided over $12.5 million to 4500+ students from JELFs 5-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia (excluding metro DC). JELF is proud to boast a 99% repayment rate and strongly believes that money should not stand between a student and the education that he or she needs to excel in life. The JELF board and staff are active in supporting students and their families, and in attracting the financial resources JELF needs to meet an ever-increasing demand for loans.
ABOUT RALEIGH-CARY JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
Guided by the wisdom and values of Jewish Tradition, Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services offers compassionate and affordable social services and programs to empower families and individuals of all ages to maximize the quality of their lives and reach their full potential with dignity, hope, and strength. At Raleigh-Cary JFS, our vision is to build a collaborative community that enriches and supports the lives of individuals and families. We empower them to care for themselves and each other. The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary continues to welcome, respect and value the participation of all people including; interfaith families, people of all abilities, religious practices, backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and socio-economic status.
For more information about JELF in Raleigh contact Mor Kantor at 919-676-2200 ext 114 or mor.kantor@shalomraleigh.org.