JELF Helps Local Students Afford College—Interest Free

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIAMI, FL – January 2, 2026 – In 2025, JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) loaned $2.3 million in 0% interest loans to almost 500 students, allowing Jewish students to pursue higher education without the burden of interest-bearing debt. Among those supported, 61 Jewish students from Miami-Dade County were awarded $311,684.

JELF is the only Jewish organization in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to offering interest-free loans for higher education. Since 2015 alone, JELF has provided 3,864 loans, totaling nearly $17 million across a five-state region, which includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC). Further, JELF is proud to maintain an exceptional 99% student repayment rate for nearly 20 years. As the 2026–2027 academic year approaches, Jewish students are invited to apply for interest free loans for college, graduate school, or vocational programs. The application is open from January 1 through April 30, 2026, at jelf.org/app.

Locally, JELF is proud to collaborate with Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), a trusted nonprofit agency that has served the community for more than a century. Through this partnership, JCS supports Jewish students in Miami-Dade County by helping ensure they have the financial resources needed to pursue and complete their educational goals.

To be eligible for a JELF loan, applicants must:

• Be a permanent resident of FL, GA, SC, NC, and VA (excluding metro DC)
• Be enrolled full-time in a degree granting program
• Be in good academic standing
• Be a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status
• Provide a cosigner who lives in the U.S.
• Plan to accept the federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans

Unlike traditional financial aid, JELF loans help cover both educational and living expenses including rent, food, books and travel. By eliminating interest, JELF saves borrowers thousands of dollars and helps ease the growing student debt crisis affecting more than 45 million Americans. As JELF Board Chair Richard Peretz emphasizes, “Education is the foundation of a strong Jewish future. Every dollar we lend becomes a degree earned, a career launched, a leader shaped.” Through its sustainable, interest-free loan model, JELF ensures that every dollar repaid is reinvested to support the next generation of students, strengthening a continuous cycle of educational opportunities. At a time when tuition and inflation place increasing pressure on families, the partnership of committed community donors remains critical to helping Jewish students pursue—and achieve—their educational goals.

For more information about JELF or to support its mission, please visit jelf.org or call 770.396.3080.

Media Contact: Alicia Vigil Blanco
305.332.5674
avigilblanco@jcsfl.org

About Jewish Community Services of South Florida

Since 1920, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, based on Jewish values, has remained true to its mission in providing a resilient safety-net of health and social services through a broad array of programs that promote, health, safety, and self-sufficiency. By collaborating with community partners, funders, hundreds of volunteers, sister organizations and local leaders, our team continuously strengthens its engagement and impact. Our professional team continues to provide healing and hope in serving the many layered needs of residents in our diverse and vibrant community. JCS is here for you. Learn more at jcsfl.org.

About the Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF)

JELF provides interest-free last dollar loans for higher education to Jewish students in need, bridging the gap between a student’s total financial resources and the cost of attending school. Since 1961, JELF has provided over $17+ million to students from JELF’s 5-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro DC). JELF is proud to boast a 99% repayment rate and strongly believes that money should not stand between a student and the education that they need to excel in life. JELF’s board and professional team actively work to support students and their families by attracting the financial resources JELF needs to meet the ever-increasing demand for loans. For more information about JELF, please visit jelf.org.