For over fifty years, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - Nashville, has offered interest-free loans to worthy students who are pursuing their own higher education through our Scholarship Loan program. As your 2026-2027 Scholarship Loan chairs, we know many questions exist about this program.
Last year, we were honored to award loans to 15 deserving applicants. The impact of an interest-free loan in the age of rising costs of college goes a long way. Past recipients have sought degrees ranging from associates to doctoral-level and have used the loans to cover such needs as tuition, books, room and board, or childcare.
We encourage all students who may be eligible for a Scholarship Loan to contact NCJW Nashville at nashvillencjw@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is a NCJW Nashville Scholarship Loan?
NCJW Nashville provides interest-free loans of up to $4000 per year to students pursuing higher education. Unlike scholarships, these loans must be repaid — but because they are entirely interest-free, students only pay back what they borrow, making them a far more affordable option than traditional loans. What makes the Scholarship Loan program unique is that every repayment helps fund future students, creating a sustainable cycle of support for generations to come.
What are the criteria for selection?
- Preference to Jewish applicants, though all students are encouraged to apply.
- Must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at a U.S. accredited undergraduate, graduate or vocational program, college or university.
- Applicants must maintain an address in Tennessee.
- Age: No age limit, though most recipients are 18-25.
- Merit-based: Students are expected to maintain a GPA that keeps them in good academic standing.
How does the application process work?
The Scholarship Loan application for the 2026-2027 academic year is open through Friday, March 13. The application includes three short-answer questions & basic biographic and school information. Two professional or academic references are required. Specific financial information is not requested however a guarantor is required for those accepted.
The application must be completed at one time. To receive a PDF of the application, email nashvillencjw@gmail.com.
How does the selection process work?
The selection committee will meet late March and review each application anonymously. Unless more information is needed for the committee to make their decision, applicants will be alerted as to the committee’s decision before the end of March.
If you are selected as a recipient, your next step will be to sign a DocuSign outlining the rules and regulations of the program, followed by scheduling a virtual meeting with NCJW Nashville Executive Director, Jennifer Hoffman.
Can you share more about how the applications are kept anonymous?
The committee is provided with a summary of each application and with references, each with names removed or redacted. Although all attempts at anonymity are made, certain identifying markers such as school, age, and gender will be shared with the committee. Only the program chairs, treasurers, and staff have access to the full list of applicants and recipients.
How are loans disbursed?
Loans are awarded directly to the student, not their family or the school they are attending. NCJW Nashville divides the loan into two equal payments, one in July for Fall Semester and the second in mid-to-late November for the Spring Semester. It is up to each student to determine how they best need to utilize these funds throughout the semester.
When does repayment begin?
Repayments begin 6 months after graduation and are expected to be completed within 10 years. If these terms are not met, and new terms are not set, interest may be added to the remaining loan amount.
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How many times can I receive the loan?
As long as you remain a student and have a permanent address in Middle Tennessee, you can continue to reapply each year for a new loan.
How can I support this program?
- Help us spread the word! We want to ensure as many students as possible have the opportunity to know about this program.
- Make a donation: Your donation to NCJW Nashville supports staffing, online resources, and all of the other requirements to keep a program like this running. Donations can be sent to NCJW Nashville, 801 Percy Warner Blvd. Nashville, TN 37205.
If you have any additional questions, we hope you will be in touch at nashvillencjw@gmail.com.
