Jewish Studies and First-Year Students: Undergraduate Students

The best undergraduate Jewish Studies experience in the country is at Indiana University Bloomington with over 200 alumni working in careers related to Jewish Studies.

About the Jewish Studies Program

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 the 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. Their amazing faculty (teaching more than 40 courses per year) establish close connections with our students. The Modern Hebrew program is one of the best in the world. They 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.)

Benefits

• Applicants will be awarded 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.
• Also, 4-year scholarships for students 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.
• There will be an additional 1-year scholarship 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.

To be Eligible

• 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 first-year students.
• Students who plan to major outside the College of Arts & Sciences such as in Business, Education, Informatics, SPEA, or Public Health cannot complete the Jewish Studies major or 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.
• Applicant must be an In-state or Out-of-state International student.

How to Apply

Here is a list of application guidelines to follow, Applicants are to submit the following requirements;

• A cover letter providing name, address, cell phone number, and 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.
• Official high school transcript may be emailed to iujsp@indiana.edu or mailed directly from your high school
• 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
• A resume detailing extracurricular activities, awards, and honors
• Two letters of recommendation, both from high school teachers well acquainted with your academic strengths and abilities
• 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 Scholarship – email: iujsp@indiana.edu.

Note; 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 mailto:iujsp@indiana.edu

For more information on the Jewish Studies Program, visit the scholarship website at; https://jsp.sitehost.iu.edu/undergraduates/funding_freshmen.shtml?_gl=1*9621cz*_ga*NzUzNzA0NDM1LjE2NjE4NzUxMDI.*_ga_61CH0D2DQW*MTY2MTg4OTIxNi4xLjEuMTY2MTg5MjM4OS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.252137354.2088140324.1661889219-753704435.1661875102