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Indiana University Bloomington
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Undergraduate Funding Opportunities

Scholarships for First Year Students

Multiple Scholarships of up to $60,000 ($15,000/year for 4 years)
for Incoming First Year Majors Entering in Fall 2024

Application Deadline:  January 27 

“The best undergraduate Jewish Studies experience in the country - Indiana University Bloomington.” With more than 200 alumni working in careers related to Jewish Studies.

Multiple incoming  scholarships of up to $60,000 ($15,000 per year) for first year students committed to pursuing a Jewish Studies major at IU.

4-year scholarships for students pursuing the pursuing the Jewish sacred music curriculum either as a Jewish Studies major in the College of Arts & Sciences or as a Vocal Performance major in the Jacobs School of Music.

Additional 1 year scholarships for Jewish Studies majors and certificate (8 courses) students, with majors receiving priority.

After their first year, all Jewish Studies major, certificate, minor, and Hebrew minor students may apply annually for additional Jewish Studies scholarships.

Selection Criteria: Candidates will be considered primarily on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and promise. Extracurricular achievements will also be considered. Students must have a high school GPA of 3.5 or above (out of a 4.0 scale) or equivalent and a record of academic and extracurricular accomplishment. Students may bring a maximum of 29 credit hours to be considered a first year student.

* Students who plan to major outside the College of Arts & Sciences - in Business, Education, Informatics, O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, or Public Health cannot complete the Jewish Studies major nor certificate and thus are ineligible for these scholarships for incoming first year students. Jewish Studies minors are not eligible for these scholarships for incoming first year students. Students planning to take a gap year in 2023-2024 should wait until Fall 2024 to apply for these scholarships.

Deadline: January 27 (Note: Students applying to IU before November 1 will be considered for IU selective scholarships).

Application Procedure: Please submit:

  1. Cover letter providing name, address, cell phone number, email address, with a signed statement of commitment to pursue either the Jewish Studies major or the certificate. Please select one. Only students pursuing the major will be considered for four-year scholarships.
  2. Official high school transcript may be emailed to iujsp@indiana.edu or mailed directly from your high school
  3. A personal statement that addresses plans for academic work at IU and the specific way that a major or certificate in Jewish Studies will figure in your undergraduate education and career plan
  4. A resume detailing extracurricular activities, awards, and honors
  5. Two letters of recommendation, both from high school teachers well acquainted with your academic strengths and abilities
  6. Students applying for an IU Selective Application Scholarship need only mail or email the Borns Jewish Studies Program a personal statement (see 3 above) and a signed statement of commitment (see 1 above), and let us know you have applied for the Selective Scholarships – email: iujsp@indiana.edu.

Mail or e-mail applications, transcripts, and recommendations to: Jewish Studies Incoming First Year Student Scholarship Competition, Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, Global & International Studies Building, 355 N. Eagleson Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-1105, Phone (812) 855-0453; e-mail iujsp@iu.edu 

Announcement of Scholarship Prizes: First round recipients: late February; 2nd round recipients: Early May 4.

The Borns Jewish Studies Program is one of the largest, oldest, and most comprehensive, Jewish Studies programs. To pursue Jewish Studies at IU is to be part of an unusually caring program of studies, committed to fostering academic achievement through rigorous interdisciplinary study of the Jewish people and civilization. Nestled within a major research university, the program offers an intimate learning environment, with the type of personal attention normally associated with small liberal arts colleges. Our amazing faculty (teaching more than 40 courses per year) establish close connections with our students. Our Modern Hebrew program is one of the best in the world. We have the only undergraduate pre-cantorial program in the country. Students engage in a wide array of extracurricular activities sponsored by the program and the Jewish Studies Student Association. Students may complete a Jewish Studies B.A. and an MBA at the Kelley School of Business in 5 years. (Application during junior year and acceptance by Kelley School required.)

Scholarship recipients must become and remain full-time students and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA as majors or certificate students in Jewish Studies at IU Bloomington through the funded year/s. Students receiving four-year scholarships must remain JS majors and may use this funding, after their first year, toward a semester/year of study at Hebrew University, Ben-Gurion University, Haifa University, or Tel Aviv University in Israel, at predominantly Jewish Studies academic programs abroad; for IU sponsored or co-sponsored overseas study programs; or, for full-time, unpaid Jewish Studies-related internships away from IU.

One of the LARGEST, OLDEST, and MOST COMPREHENSIVE programs of its kind
What makes Jewish Studies at IU special?
Our amazing world-renowned faculty who establish close connections with our students
An intimate learning environment within a major research university
More than 40 courses per year – that students love!
An active Jewish Studies Student Association – faculty & students come together often
So many events – lectures, parties, film screenings, performances
Learning Hebrew and Yiddish language from top-notch teachers
Strong career support: 200+ alumni working in careers related to Jewish Studies; ready to help you
The only pre-cantorial undergraduate program

Learn more at http://www.indiana.edu/~jsp/index.shtml