THE ALLIED JEWISH FEDERATION OF COLORADO’S JEWISH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND (JECESF)

Early childhood is an important time for our youngest learners to develop socially, emotionally and academically.  Jewish early childhood education (ECE) centers build Jewish identity by creating Jewish experiences, traditions, values and community for young children and their families.

A new scholarship fund at the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado will make quality Jewish education affordable to more families.  There are thirteen Jewish ECE centers in the Greater Denver/Boulder metro area; go to www.mazeltot.org/early-childhood-education-centers for a complete list. 

The Denver/Boulder Jewish community recognizes that the past couple of years have been difficult ones for many families who may have been adversely affected by the economic downturn.  In response to this, and in recognition that Jewish early childhood education is a priority for the community, the Allied Jewish Federation and Rose Community Foundation have partnered to establish a community scholarship fund for Jewish ECE.

The scholarship fund assists Jewish families with the cost of an early childhood education, whether those families are currently enrolled in a Jewish early childhood education center or are new to the Jewish ECE community.  All Jewish ECE centers provide scholarship funding to families.  This new fund will now provide families with an additional source of scholarship support.  From 2010 to 2013, up to $285,000 in new scholarship funds will be available.  A new endowment fund is also being created to support these scholarships

In order to be considered for a scholarship award from the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado’s Jewish Early Childhood Education Scholarship Fund, families seeking financial assistance should 1) complete the registration process at their chosen ECE center, and 2) apply for scholarship funding through FACTS (an independent grant and aid assessment service).  Using the FACTS service will ensure that aid assessment is conducted fairly and equally among all applicants, while maintaining the strictest confidentiality.  Families interested in applying for financial aid may visit the FACTS website at www.factstuitionaid.com to apply online, or contact FACTS via phone at 1-866-315-9262 for assistance in completing the application.

Applications for financial aid will not be accepted by the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado.  For general questions concerning the scholarship fund, please contact Gretchen Koplin, Planning and Allocations Senior Manager, at gkoplin@ajfcolorado.org or 303-316-6475.

Thank you.