What is considered full time enrollment to qualify for application to the JFSA College Financial Aid Program?
At most accredited schools, full time enrollment for undergraduate school is 12 credit hours or 4 classes and graduate school is 9 credit hours or 3 classes. If your school has a different standard, please contact our office to verify your status.
Why do you ask for so much financial information?
The requests for scholarships always greatly exceed our resources. We work very hard to make sure scholarship funds are distributed equitably. We appreciate your help in making that possible. All information provided on the application is confidential and is used to determine your financial deficits in making decisions about potential awards.
My parents are divorced.
If your parents are divorced, you must provide a copy of both of their taxes. If you have any questions about this, please contact our office.
What if I don’t know where I am going to school yet?
Please indicate any schools you’ve been accepted to and/or where you’d like to attend. Please upload copies or your college acceptance letters for your choices to your application.
Can I send a copy of my transcript rather than an official one?
Yes, as long as it is a copy of an official school transcript.
How many scholarships are awarded and what are the amounts?
About 160 scholarships are awarded each Fall for the next academic year. The amounts range from $800 to $12,500 based upon criteria listed in each individual scholarship.
What can scholarships be used for?
Many of the scholarships are given directly to the students and can be applied towards tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, etc. Some scholarships are routed directly to colleges to be used for specific costs. This depends on variables designated by the scholarship itself.
Why do I need to interview in order to receive a scholarship?
Interviews are the best way for us to learn more about you and to talk to you about your future endeavors. Individual interviews generally last for 10-15 minutes. Interviews take place in April. If you will be out of state during that time, please indicate that on your application.
If my scholarship is renewable, do I need to reapply again?
Yes, all students must fill out an online application each year in order to renew their scholarship The online application will need to be filled out in its entirety, documents submitted, and processing fee paid in order to qualify for renewal.
My loan invoice is incorrect or I can’t understand it. Who do I contact for questions about this?
Call our Office Administrator, Sheri Tavens, at 216-378-3421 about invoicing questions.
How and when are checks issued?
Some scholarship checks will be mailed to each recipient’s local mailing address as entered on the application. Others will be sent directly to your school. This depends on the scholarship requirements. Checks will be issued by August.
If I receive a loan, when will I have to start paying it back?
Loans are due after you graduate or are no longer a student (at least 12 credit hours for undergraduate school or at last 9 credit hours for graduate school). If you decide to start graduate school immediately following undergraduate school, you must contact the office if you would like to defer your loan.
Students are given a 3-month grace period to begin mailing payments. Students will receive monthly invoices. Payments are $100 and are due on the 1st of every month. Checks can be sent to:
JFSA College Financial Aid Program
P.O. Box 74165
Cleveland, OH 44194-4165
Automatic payments may also be set up through your bank.We are currently not able to take online payments.
My home address, phone number, email or other demographic information has changed. How do I notify you?
Please call or email our office with any changes after the April 1st deadline. Prior to April 1st, changes can be made by yourself on your application.