Scholarships

Scholarships are available for Judaic Studies majors and minors

Your Bachelors degree is within reach! In the Judaic Studies Program, we have the caring faculty and the savvy academic advisors to support your success -- as well as scholarships to make college education affordable. When you choose Judaic Studies as your major or minor, you are eligible for an array of scholarships at Portland State University.

Stand out! You are one of a small pool of candidates applying for these scholarships so your chances of receiving an award may be better than you think.

Slide deck overview of Judaic Studies scholarships

In just over one minute, you can get an overview of our scholarships specifically offered to Judaic Studies majors and minors. This is a silent slide deck video. Slides advance every eight seconds. Just click pause if you'd like more time to read a slide.

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  1.     Eligibility: Which scholarship(s) should I apply for?
  2.     Scholarships offered to Judaic Studies majors only
  3.     Scholarships offered to Judaic Studies majors and minors
  4.     Additional Scholarships Available

 

1. Eligibility: Which scholarship(s) should I apply for?

 

Not sure if you can afford college education? Undecided whether Portland State University is the right school for you?

Consider applying for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship. As a prospective student you can apply for this scholarship in conjunction with your application to Portland State University. If you receive the scholarship award you will have a significant portion of your four years of education completely paid for. This scholarship supports Judaic Studies majors up to $7000 per year throughout your entire undergraduate career at PSU (up to four years). Learn more about the criteria and application procedures for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships.

 

Are you already enrolled at Portland State University?

Once you are an enrolled PSU student, you have an array of scholarships available to you.  

If you are considering majoring in Judaic Studies, you are eligible to apply for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship.

If you are already a Judaic Studies major, you are eligible to apply for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarship, even if you are new to the program. For the other scholarships, you must have accrued at least twelve credits of coursework in Judaic Studies to be eligible to apply.

If you are a Judaic Studies minor and have done at least eight credits of coursework in Judaic Studies, you are eligible to apply for three scholarships: Cogan, Jacobs-Kaufman, and Aspen Mitzvah.

Scholarship short name Amount Open to Judaic Studies Majors Open to Judaic Studies Minors Deadlines to Apply
Schnitzer Family $5000-$7000 (per year x 4) Yes No Feb. 1, Mar. 3, Jul. 5, or Dec. 7*
Shleifer Full cost of tuition and fees for an in-state student. Yes No Feb. 1 of each year
Lokey Israel Travel $1000-$5000 Yes No Feb. 1 of each year
Aspen Mitzvah (Hebrew language study) $1000 Yes Yes Feb. 1 of each year
Cogan (internship) $500-$1000 Yes Yes Flexible, but most internships require that applications be submitted by mid-November
Jacobs-Kaufman $500 Yes Yes Feb. 1 of each year

*Applications for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, with deadlines tied to Portland State University's timetable for admissions and scholarship applications. However, there is flexibility regarding these deadlines, so if you are interested in applying for admission to the Judaic Studies Program and have missed your preferred deadline for the scholarship application, please contact us.   

2. Scholarships offered to Judaic Studies majors only

⬧Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships

The  Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships offer Judaic Studies majors renewable tuition support of $5,000 annually for their entire undergraduate career at PSU (up to four years). Learn more [link] about the criteria and application procedures for the Harold Schnitzer Family Scholarships:

Requirements/Eligibility for the Schnitzer Family Scholarship

· Field of study: Undergraduate students pursuing their B.A. in Judaic Studies. Applicants may be entering first-year students, transfer students, and current PSU students.

· Academic record/GPA: Selection will be merit-based with a focus on demonstrated academic rigor and achievement; Students must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

· Community service/civic involvement: Preference will be given to those applicants who are actively engaged in any kind of community service and/or volunteering activities and demonstrate leadership potential.

· Award limit: Students will be eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of 4 years.

 

⬧The Lorry I. Lokey Endowed Fund for Israel Scholarship

The Lorry I. Lokey Endowed Fund for Israel Scholarship provides between $1,000 and $5,000 annually for a Judaic Studies major to travel to and study abroad in Israel. Explore study abroad opportunities through the International Affairs: Education Abroad office.

⬧Shleifer Scholarship

The Lois Berlin, John May, Ida & Sam Shleifer Endowed Scholarship pays for the entire cost of tuition and fees for an in-state student. Awarded annually.

3. Scholarships offered to Judaic Studies majors and minors

► Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Scholarship and Internship

The Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to full-time Judaic Studies majors or minors who undertake credit-bearing internships in local Jewish communal and cultural organizations. This scholarship will cover the cost of internship for six credits of tuition (three credits each over two terms of study) for 1-3 students. 

Please note that the application process for this scholarship is different from the others offered by the Judaic Studies Program. Interested students should contact the Academic Director directly to start the application process, which is internal to the department (email Prof. Natan Meir: meir at pdx dot edu).  

► Abigail Jacobs-Kaufman Scholarship

The Abigail Jacobs-Kaufman Scholarship awards $500 annually to one full-time Judaic Studies major or minor who are pursuing a degree in Judaic Studies, and demonstrate financial need to cover tuition. Applicants will be selected on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

► Aspen Mitzvah Fund Scholarship

The Department of World Languages & Literatures offers renewable scholarships of up to $1000 to students enrolling in and completing second- and third-year modern Hebrew sequences. The award will be used to meet tuition costs and related educational expenses at Portland State University. Preference will be given to students in the more advanced (300-level) sequence, and to students undertaking the Major or Minor Degrees in Judaic Studies. Learn more about the Aspen Mitzvah Fund Scholarship.

► Mary Ausplund Tooze Scholar Travel Award

The PSU School of Art and Design offers this scholarship. The award encourages travel needed to engage in field study and research in Ancient and Islamic Art. This helps students to better understand the cultures and traditions of a rich and complex Middle Eastern world. It is open to juniors, seniors and graduate students from all majors. Learn more about The Mary Ausplund Tooze Scholar Travel Award.

4. Additional Scholarships Available

 

Please visit PSU's Scholarship Universe page to access the scholarship information outside of The Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies.