How to apply for scholarships
This page will walk you through the application process.
Sections:
What information should I prepare before I apply?
What specifically does the application form ask for?
Who can I contact if I need help during the process?
Go to the PSU Scholarships Universe home page now and begin the application
What information should I prepare before I apply?
The following items are required to apply for these scholarships:
1. Academic transcript
If you are a high school senior, please submit a copy of your high school transcript(s).
If you are a college student, please submit a copy of all college-level transcripts.
Copies of unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but they must identify the educational institution.
You are only allowed to upload one document. If you have paper transcripts, please scan them all together into one file for upload. If you have electronic transcripts, you may 1) save them to your computer, then upload, 2) print them and then scan them all into one document (saved to your computer) to upload, 3) take screen shots of all transcripts and paste them all in one file saved to your computer for upload..
2. Two letters of recommendation
One letter must be from an academic referrer, such as a teacher, professor, or academic advisor; the other can be (for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship: MUST be) from an employer, advisor, and/or representative of a community or student organization with whom the student is involved.
3. A 500-word (∓10%) personal statement based on scholarship(s) you are applying for:
For the Schnitzer Family scholarships, a statement of interest answering the following three questions:
1) Why are you interested in pursuing a degree in Judaic Studies?
2) What are your plans for academic work at Portland State University?
3) Why have you chosen the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies?
For the Shleifer and Jacobs-Kaufman scholarships, a general statement of interest, answering the following two questions:
1) What will you gain from the scholarship?
2) How will it impact your course of study?
3) Brief (one paragraph) statement of financial need (Jacobs-Kaufman Scholarship only).
For the Lokey Scholarship: a statement of interest on Israel travel:
1) What will you gain from studying abroad in Israel?
2) How will it impact your course of study?
For the Cogan Scholarship: a statement of interest about a prospective internship at a community organization:
1) What will you gain from the internship?
2) How will it impact your course of study?
Tips for writing your personal statement:
Be as specific as possible in addressing the questions; avoid vague statements
This is not an academic essay; let your personality shine through, and express your passion for your studies.
Demonstrate good writing practices; spelling and grammar count! Don’t forget to proofread.
More tips on writing your essay and requesting letters of recommendation are available from the Student Finance department:
https://www.pdx.edu/student-finance/scholarship-application-tips
What specifically does the application form ask for?
Here are the instructions and specific questions you will see inside the Scholarship application system:
Instructions
Your application will time out after 30 minutes without use. Please save your information often.
You do not have to complete this application in one sitting.
Your information will be saved every time you navigate to another page of the application using the "Save and Continue" button.
If you want to return to complete your application at a later date, click "Save and Continue" before logging out.
You are required to have 2 references. Please enter their names and email addresses into the application early so they have time to submit their references before the due date.
Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to access it to make changes.
We recommend that you compose lengthy answers (such as the personal statement) in a program such as Word and paste them into the appropriate spaces on your application.
If you are a current PSU student, the Scholarship Committee will review your transcript. You do not need to submit a transcript, since it will be provided to us.
If you are not already a PSU student you will need to send us your transcript
For your application to be considered, you must go to the final page of the application and click the Submit button after you finish answering your questions. Applications that are not officially submitted on time are not read.
Personal info
Name / Email Address / Postal Address / Telephone /Date of birth/ gender/citizenship/ country (for international students)/ Oregon residency status
I am applying for the following scholarship(s):
Abigail Jacobs-Kaufman Scholarship
Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships
Lois Berlin, John May, Ida & Sam Shleifer Endowed Scholarship
Lorry I. Lokey Endowed Fund for Israel Scholarship
Sara Glasgow Cogan Internship
Academic Summary
Have you been admitted to PSU? Yes/No
Major/area of interest -- you must choose Judaic Studies if you are applying for the Harold Schnitzer Family, Shleifer, or Lokey Scholarships
Optional Second Major/Area of interest (if known)
Are you minoring in Judaic Studies? Yes/No -- -- you must choose “Yes” if you are applying for the Cogan or Jacobs-Kaufman Scholarships
Total college credits completed: _____
Cumulative college GPA: _____
All scholarships other than the Schnitzer Family Scholarship require that the applicant has completed a minimum of:
For majors: 12 credit hours in Judaic Studies, JST-faculty-instructed, or Hebrew language courses
For minors: 8 credit hours in Judaic Studies, JST-faculty-instructed, or Hebrew language courses
Have you taken, or are you in the process of taking, at least 8 or 12 (depending on your status) credit hours in Judaic Studies, JST faculty-instructed, or Hebrew language courses? Yes/No
List those courses: _____________________________________________________________
Required Statement of Interest [aka “personal statement”]
See explanation above for detailed instructions.
[You will paste your statement into a text box on the application form]
References
This scholarship application requires two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from an academic referrer, such as a teacher, professor, or academic advisor; the other can be from an employer, advisor, and/or representative of a community or student organization with whom the student is involved. For all scholarships other than the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships, the second letter may also be from an academic referrer.
I waive my rights to see these letters. Yes/No
Please enter 2 references below.
1.
Full Name: _____________________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________________
Hidden
2.
Full Name: _____________________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________________
Hidden
Certification and Authorization
PSU promotes equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
I certify that this application and all attachments are complete and true. I hereby authorize Portland State University to furnish copies of my academic record, this application, and letters of recommendation to the WLL Advisory Council, the Scholarship Selection Committee and the scholarship donor for review. If selected, I further authorize release of information for publicity purposes.
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That’s the whole application inside the PSU Scholarship portal.
Whom can I contact if I need help during the process?
One of our faculty members will be happy to help you. Email judaicst@pdx.edu and your request will be forwarded to one of them.
Go to the Scholarship Universe portal now and begin the application:
https://www.pdx.edu/student-finance/psu-scholarship-universe
In the Scholarship portal, search "Judaic Studies" for a list of all our scholarships.