Tuition Assistance Resources: All Campers

Here are some of the most common options our CYJ families have pursued to receive assistance with their camp tuition:

Your Local Congregation:

Many congregations are strong supporters of children attending Jewish summer camp. Each Congregation has its own scholarship process. Contact your Congregation, Rabbi, Brotherhood or Sisterhood President, or Youth Group Director to learn about deadlines and how to apply. Many have a specific budget for scholarships, so ask early. You may be able to get scholarship dollars from more than one source in your Congregation, as they may have separate budgets.

JCRS (Jewish Children’s Regional Service):

JCRS is a foundation based in New Orleans that gives generously to CYJ campers. Scholarships are available to campers entering 3rd to 12th grade as of the next school year in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. http://www.jcrs.org/

The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana:

The Goldring Family Foundation is funding the Jewish Summer Camp Experience Incentive Grant program for its 24th year. The incentive grant provides up to $1,500 for a Jewish child to attend a Jewish not-for-profit, summer sleep-away camp for the very first time. There are no need-based requirements. Every Jewish child residing in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle who has never attended a not-for-profit Jewish, summer sleep-away camp is eligible. The 2023 application form is attached and is also available on their website. 

Your Local Federation:

Jewish Federations are strong supporters of Jewish summer camps. Each city’s Federation has different funding available and different applications. Your city’s Board of Jewish Education, Jewish Family Services, or other community resources may also have funds – contact your local Federation to find out what is available for you.

Hebrew Free Loan Association:

Many cities have a Hebrew Free Loan Association that offers interest-free loans ranging from $500 to $1500 to help families fund experiences for Jewish youth.

One Happy Camper:

The One Happy Camper program provides up to $1000 in grants to first-time campers in a 3-week program. Campers who have attended shorter programs (e.g., Mini Mensch or Nitzanim) are still eligible for this grant. This grant is coordinated by the Foundation for Jewish Camps and local program providers, including the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. It is NOT available in every city, so please go to the One Happy Camper website and walk through the eligibility inquiry to find out if your camper is eligible. Apply quickly – the grants will run out! https://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/first-time-camper-grants/

PJ Goes to Camp:

If your camper is not in a One Happy Camper city, PJ Goes to Camp may be another grant option. If your child is an alum/na of PJ Library or has a sibling who is a member, he/she may be eligible. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation partners with Foundation for Jewish Camp to offer these grants to campers not in One Happy Camper cities. The requirements for this grant are the same as the One Happy Camper. In addition, PJ Goes to Camp also has a limited lottery for grants to kids currently enrolled in Jewish Day Schools.   Apply quickly – the grants will run out! https://pjlibrary.org/Beyond-Books/PJ-Goes-to-Camp

Camp Young Judaea (CYJ) Tuition Assistance Fund:

Learn more, how to apply, and deadlines here.

Special instructions for campers from Mexico or other countries outside the US:

• When you apply for aid through the CYJ Tuition Assistance Fund, you will use the same online system as the campers from the US.
• At the end of the application, you are asked to upload your US tax return – please substitute whatever local document you have that is the equivalent in your home country. 
• As part of the application, we ask you to write a narrative explaining your specific circumstances since we realize that the numbers you have entered do not always tell the entire story. Please write your narrative in either English or Spanish, whichever is most comfortable to you, as we can easily have it translated if we need to.