Student Scholarships

Har Shalom Center for Jewish Living strongly supports the value of educating every Jewish child in the area, regardless of financial ability. Although tuition is necessary to meet our expenses, it should not be an educational barrier. We understand that tuition fees may be difficult for some families to pay. We want to work with you to ensure that both of our financial needs are addressed. There is a scholarship fund to support Har Shalom members who need assistance.

Please note:

• The maximum scholarship available is 70% of ONLY the tuition amount for the year. Fees and pizza plan are not eligible for scholarship assistance.
• Families are responsible for 30% of the tuition amount and must be enrolled in ACH auto-pay program to be approved.
• Students must maintain 80% attendance to keep scholarship active. That means no more than 6 absences for Sunday students and 10 absences for Sunday/Wednesday students.
• Your account must remain in good standing or your child poses the risk of losing the scholarship.
• Scholarships remain active for the current school year and need to be reapplied for each fall.

Scholarship applications are due September 15th. Recipients will be notified by October 1st regarding the decision of their application. 

J. Fred Kapp Memorial Scholarship

For Graduating High School Seniors

Amount: $500 minimum

The J. Fred Kapp Memorial Scholarship was established by the Sachs-Kapp family in loving memory of their husband and father. The scholarship provides recognition and financial support for a Jewish graduating senior, honoring Fred’s passion for advising high school students about their futures. Details about the scholarship application are provided below. 

Scholarship Criteria:  Graduating seniors from Fort Collins area schools. Parents/guardians must be of Jewish faith with the student self-identifying as Jewish. Evaluation criteria include: (i) consistent service to community-at-large (mitzvoth); (ii) acceptance to institution of higher learning--college, community college, or technical school (kavannah); and (iii) 3.0 GPA or explanation of unusual circumstances.

Application materials: High school transcript, resume, and personal essay. The essay should describe the applicant’s post-secondary plans and career goals, as well as give examples of involvement with the Jewish community at-large. The essay need be no more than the equivalent of two typed pages. In addition, the scholarship selection committee from Har Shalom will set up a personal interview with applicants. 

Funding: The scholarship is generously funded by the Sachs-Kapp family and our community — please consider donating and making a positive difference for our graduating seniors! Donations can be made through the website (select Fred Kapp Scholarship Fund) or by contacting the Har Shalom office.

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Scholarship Program

For Graduating High School Seniors

Amount: $2,000 

Deadline for Applications: April 15, 2024

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. If you meet the stated criteria, you are invited to apply for a NCJW Colorado Section 2024 Scholarship. A number of scholarships will be awarded and the recipients will be honored at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Apply here.

Eligibility Criteria:  

• Identify as a Jewish woman
• Must be at least 16 years old
• Colorado resident
• Has demonstrated financial need as evidenced in submitted FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) or CASFA, Financial Aid Award letter from post-secondary institution where the student will be attending in the 2024-25 academic year, and student responses to questions in this application. Exceptional circumstances detailed by the applicant will be taken into consideration.
• Applied to a college, junior college, community college, vocational or technical school, and plans to attend that post-secondary institution in the 2024-25 academic year. Non-traditional and current college students are welcome to apply.
• Acceptance letter to post-secondary institution must be provided no later than April 15, 2024.
• Provide both FAFSA Student Aid Report and Financial Aid Award Letter.
• Demonstrated academic performance within their class program (e.g., GED, college-prep or vocational program) [via high school or college transcript, or vocational/technical school transcript]
• Demonstrated Jewish an/or other community involvement as well as personal growth potential [through letter of recommendation and student essay].
• One (1) recommendation letter must be submitted by a teacher, school official, professor, or by a supervisor or mentor from within the student's community (e.g., Jewish community or secular community)
• Acceptance letter from higher learning institution, submitted online by April 15 deadline date. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more information on the scholarship program, please contact Lisa Weintraub at lisa.j.weintraub@gmail.com.

Funding: For decades the NCJW has provided scholarships to young Jewish Colorado women in need who desire to continue their education after high school. The scholarships are given in honor of the women who have shaped the organization and by current members for a variety of reasons. A scholarship can be perpetual or a one-time event.