Financial Aid & Incentives
As a non-profit, Ramah Darom’s scholarship funds are limited. That’s why we request that families exhaust all other local sources resources before turning to Ramah Darom for financial assistance. In many communities, new campers automatically qualify for a One Happy Camper or PJ Goes to Camp first year incentive.
Many families ask, “Will I qualify for financial aid?” or “How much will I be expected to pay out of pocket after all aid?” These are difficult questions to answer since all decisions are made on a case-by-case basis; every Ramah Darom scholarship application is reviewed in detail by the Scholarship Committee of our Board of Directors.
In previous years, we have found that families with adjusted gross income less than $250,000 and with assets of less than $1 million (including all assets such as principal in real estate and retirement plans) usually qualify for some form of aid from at least one source (Federation, synagogue, other local or national source, or from Ramah Darom). Except in special circumstances, qualified families pay anywhere from 30%-100% of tuition costs after receiving support from aid sources (for example, for one single-session camper, a family will pay tuition anywhere from $1,935-$6,450). This is merely a frame of reference and does not promise you will qualify or receive any particular level of support because every year and every situation is different.
Your first step is to complete your Camp application and register your camper(s).
Once completed, there are several sources that offer scholarships and financial assistance to families.
The majority of financial aid comes from local sources. Please see our Financial Aid 1, 2, 3 below for more information and for links to applications. We encourage you to speak to your Rabbi, contact your local federation and ask community leaders about funding opportunities in your area.
We look forward to welcoming your camper to Ramah Darom!
If the Ramah Darom application fee causes your family hardship, please contact Deanne Brown (dbrown@ramahdarom.org) to discuss options.
First Time Camper Incentives
One Happy Camper
Your first-time camper may be eligible for a One Happy Camper grant of up to $1,500!
After reviewing the information here, feel free to reach out to Deanne Brown (dbrown@ramahdarom.org) with questions.
Financial Aid 1, 2, 3
For those needing additional assistance beyond your local sources, Ramah Darom does provide scholarships – see #3 below. We also offer payment plans.
Contact your local federations and synagogues for information regarding camp scholarships and deadlines. Be sure to also speak with your Rabbi, local Sister/Brotherhoods and Jewish Family Services. We have provided some links below.
ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS or TENNESSEE RESIDENTS
Link: https://jcrs.org/services/camp-scholarship-aid/
Application Opens: October
Priority Deadline: February 15
Contact: Annie Mizrahi at annie@jcrs.org
LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA and FLORIDA PANHANDLE RESIDENTS
Goldring Family Foundation – First-year camper up to $1500
Link: https://jefno.org/youth-camping/goldring-summer-camp/
Application Opens: October
Deadline: March 1
Contact: Miriam Teller at (504) 524-4559 or miriam@jefno.org
GEORGIA
Atlanta Jewish Federation
Link: Jewish Camp Initiative
Application Opens: November
Deadline: Typically, March 1
Contact: Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez at jewishcamp@jewishatlanta.org
Jewish Interest-Free Loan of Atlanta (JIFLA)
JIFLA is a nonprofit providing 0% interest loans to Jewish individuals & families in Georgia since 2010 and a proud partner of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Contact: office@JIFLA.org, (470) 268-5665
FLORIDA
Boca, Delray and Highland Beach
Link: https://ralesjfs.org/services/foodandfinancialservices/summer_camp_scholarship/
Application Opens: November
Deadline: Typically, March 1
Contact: Laurie Daube at 561.852.3380 or lauried@ralesjfs.org
Broward County
Link: Jewish Summer Camps
Application Opens: November
Deadline: Typically, March 1
Contact: Rochelle Baltuch – camp@jewishbroward.org or at 954-660-2077
Gainesville, Ocala and surrounding areas
Link: Jewish Council of North Central Florida: Webpage, Form
Application Opens: November
Deadline: Typically, March 1
Contact: Linda E. Maurice, office@jcncf.org
Miami DADE Federation
Link: https://jewishmiami.org/socialize/events/overnight_camp_scholarship
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of January
Contact: Inbar Cohen at 786.866.8431 or icohen@gmjf.org
Palm Beach (Boynton Beach north through Vero Beach)
Link: https://jewishpb.org/fed/index.php/scholarships/
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of January
Contact: financialassistance@jewishpalmbeach.org
Palm Beach County
National Council for Jewish Women – Valencia Shores Section
Application Opens: October
Deadline: First week of March
Requirements: Palm Beach County Resident campers must be 13 years of age or younger. This is a needs-based scholarship or for families with extenuating circumstances.
Contact: Sandy Platzman at 561-968-4415 or sandymae@gmail.com or download an application.
Pinellas and Pasco County
Link: https://www.jewishgulfcoast.org/grants/summer-scholarships
Application Opens: October
Deadline: January 15
Contact: Diana Morin at dmorin@jewishpinellas.org or 727-530-3223
Sarasota
Link: https://jfedsrq.org/camp
Application Opens: November
Deadline: End of January
Contact: Jessi Sheslow at (941) 343-2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
Tampa
Link: https://www.jewishtampa.com/lilahtov
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of November
Contact: Debbie Driben at (813) 769-4738
NORTH CAROLINA
Greensboro NC
Link: https://www.shalomgreensboro.org/jewish-family-services/camp-grants-and-scholarships
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of February
Contact: Betsy Gamburg at (336) 852-4829 x225
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston
Link: https://www.jewishcharleston.org/camp/financial-resources
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of February
Contact: Rebecca Engel at rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org
TENNESSEE
Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Link: https://www.jewishnashville.org/resources/youth-opportunities/need-based-camp-scholarships
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of February
Contact: Becky Gunn at the Jewish Federation office, 615-356-1624, or by email, becky@jewishnashville.org
Memphis
Link: https://jcpmemphis.org/what-we-do/scholarships
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of February
Requirements: Must be affiliated with a Jewish organization and live in the Memphis area-Memphis, Germantown, Arlington, Collierville or Tennessee.
Contact: Carolyn Pruitt at cpruitt@jcpmemphis.org or 901-767-8517
TEXAS
Dallas
Link: djcf.org/rosenbloom
Application Opens: November
Deadline: End of February
Contact: rosenbloomscholarship@djcf.org
Houston
Link: Camp & Israel Scholarships
Application Opens: October
Deadline: End of February
Contact: Liz Garza at egarza@houstonjewish.org
Local Jewish Federation: jewishfederations.org/federation-finder
The link above will take you to a map. Simply click on your state, and see a list of all Jewish Federation contacts in your area!
First Time Campers
One Happy Camper: jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper
PJ Goes to Camp: pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pj-goes-to-camp
Military Families
In appreciation of their service to the United States, families with at least one parent in active American military service are eligible for tuition discount at all Ramah overnight camps.
Contact: Deanne Brown (dbrown@ramahdarom.org) or the National Ramah office at (212) 678-8881 or email info@campramah.org
After applying to all available local sources for financial aid, families in need of additional assistance for Camp may apply for a Ramah Darom scholarship. You do not need to wait until you have received the local source awards since many local sources will not award before the Ramah Darom application deadline. You just need to have applied to all local sources available to you. Families must be able to demonstrate financial need by submitting a full application, including all required documents. Available funds are limited.
Ramah Darom partners with FACTS to process Camp scholarship applications. FACTS is a highly secure system used by more than three million students and families at over 11,500 schools and camps. They handle the collection of your application, supporting documents and validation of the information provided. FACTS charges a $40 fee per family.
Ramah Darom’s FACTS application is open. Click here to begin the process or email Deanne Brown with questions.
The deadline to submit a completed Ramah Darom scholarship application for Summer 2024 is Friday, February 2, 2024.* Every scholarship application is reviewed in detail by the Scholarship Committee of Ramah Darom’s Board of Directors. All information is kept strictly confidential. We endeavor to notify families of the Committee’s decisions as early as possible, but we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as this is a very time-consuming process and our Committee consists of volunteers. All families will be notified by early May at the very latest.
*What if I missed the deadline?
After the Committee has completed reviewing all applications received by the deadline, limited funds may still be available for families whose applications were received after the deadline. If you are applying after the deadline, we encourage you to complete the FACTS application and contact Deanne in our finance department to better understand what resources might still be available.
Ramah Darom scholarships are made possible in part by generous support from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Endowment.
If you have any questions regarding financial aid resources or need to work out a payment plan, we are happy to assist you. Please email Deanne Brown (dbrown@ramahdarom.org) or call 404.531.0801.