Jewish Children’s Regional Service
Sponsor: Jewish Children’s Regional Service
Summary
Financial “needs-based“ awards made to Jewish overnight campers who attend Jewish, non-profit camps in the US or Canada. Families must reside in the states of AL, AR, LA, MS, OK , TN, or TX.
Families must submit online applications that also include financial documentation. Over 300 awards made annually. Applicants are encouraged to apply early , and while they must complete the forms, they are also encouraged to inform the agency of any extraordinary circumstances which either limit a family’s ability to pay, or details the importance of camp to a particular child. Families are also encouraged to seek additional aid, if needed, from their congregation, camp, local Jewish Federation, One Happy Camper Program, Goldring Scholarship etc.
Eligibility
Camper Eligibility
- Children must reside in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas.
- Camper should be entering third to twelfth grade as of August 31, 2018.
- Camps or travel programs located in Israel or other countries are not within the scope of this program budget
Parent/Guardian Requirements
- Parents or guardians must provide family financial information. This information is maintained in private and is used by the JCRS solely to determine eligibility for a scholarship.
- It is the policy of the JCRS to obtain financial information from all legal parents and guardians of the applicant. Applications not containing this information will be marked “incomplete” and returned to the parent or guardian who submitted it.
- Parents or guardians must sign permission for the JCRS to collaborate with other local organizations that give camp assistance or scholarships. This allows the JCRS to distribute scholarship funds in a fair manner among as many families as possible.
- To receive priority consideration, completed applications must be received no later than February 15, 2018. A completed date will not be entered until all requested information is received.
How to Apply
Have These Documents Ready to Upload:
- Most Current Federal Tax Return (2017 tax return, if applying after April 15, 2018, or proof of extension of your 2017 return. All forms and schedules are required. Make sure the tax return is a PDF file (and not a Turbo Tax .Tax2011 file)
- All 2016 W2s and/or 1099s forms (most current). (2017 W2s and/or 1099s if applying after January 31, 2018).
- Copy of most recent final pay stub(s) from 2017 if you do not yet have your 2017 W-2(s)
If these documents are not already computer files, you must scan them. Make sure to review the scanning instructions for your particular scanner. All pages of your tax return must be sent as a single PDF document. Both sides of your W2(s) must be sent as a single PDF document.
Things to Remember:
- You do NOT have to complete the application in one session. You can go back to the website and complete it at your leisure.
- You will still need to upload the required documents. Therefore, have them handy before starting the application.
- Camps or travel programs located in Israel or other countries are not within the scope of this program budget.”
- The RETURNING camper application (SHORT FORM) is only for those families who have submitted a NEW Camper application (LONG FORM) to JCRS for a camp scholarship either in 2016 or 2017. It is imperative that returning campers complete the application and send in all required documents. Since the application is shorter, we may ask for further information at a later time. Additional information will most likely be requested if there is a change to your tax return and/or W2.
- If you have more than one child applying to camp: Different campers in the same household may be combined on the same application if all of the campers share the same relationships with the same set of biological or custodial parents. Campers who have different biological or custodial parents from one another should be listed on separate applications. You may include a child who will be attending camp for the first time on the RETURNING Camper Application (SHORT FORM) if you completed an application for another child in 2016 or 2017 (regardless if that child is reapplying this year).
It is necessary that JCRS receive updated financial information from camp applicants every three (3) years. Therefore, the “Returning Camper” application is ONLY of those who provided this in 2016 or 2017.