Bernard Heerey Family Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by University of Illinois
Overview
Illini Hillel is offering the Bernard Heerey Family Foundation Scholarship for the Fall 2026 semester. The scholarship supports Jewish learning and ritual practice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by funding students who actively participate in Jewish prayer and study. Recipients are expected to play leadership roles in supporting daily Jewish learning and services on campus. The program is administered by Illini Hillel and awards are applied directly to students' tuition accounts.
Description: A semester scholarship that supports and expands on-campus Jewish practice through regular participation and leadership in prayer and learning.
- Supports daily Jewish learning and ritual at UIUC
- Administered by Illini Hillel
- Awards applied directly to student tuition accounts
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled at or accepted to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to qualify for the scholarship. While recipients are expected to participate in Jewish Orthodox prayer services and learning sessions, applicants do not need to be Orthodox to apply. Selection will consider willingness and ability to fulfill the participation and leadership commitments described by Illini Hillel. Additional application requirements and screening will be communicated during the application process.
Eligibility: Open to current and admitted UIUC students who will commit to regular participation in campus Jewish prayer and learning.
- Enrollment or admitted status at UIUC required
- Open to students of any background or affiliation
- Must be willing to attend regular prayer and learning sessions
Award Value
The scholarship provides a $2,000 tuition award per recipient for the semester. Awards are paid directly to recipients' University of Illinois student tuition accounts, not to the student as cash. Students who meet their participation commitments may reapply for subsequent semesters and will be considered based on prior fulfillment of obligations. Precise limits on the number of awards per semester are defined by the fund and communicated by Illini Hillel as available.
Award Value: $2,000 applied directly to the recipient's UIUC tuition account for the semester.
- $2,000 tuition award per semester
- Funds applied directly to the university tuition account
- Reapplication possible for subsequent semesters if commitments are met
Application Timeline
The application deadline for Fall 2026 falls in August; the exact date will be provided by Illini Hillel. Interviews are scheduled after applications are received, and applicants will be notified of awards within approximately one month of submission. Award offers must be accepted in writing, and a signed acceptance letter must be returned to Hillel to formalize the scholarship. Applicants should monitor Illini Hillel communications for specific dates and interview arrangements.
Application Timeline: Deadline in August 2026, followed by interviews and award notifications within about one month of submission.
- Deadline: August 2026 (specific date provided by Illini Hillel)
- Interviews arranged after application receipt
- Notification of awards within ~1 month
- Signed acceptance required to finalize the award
Commitment and Renewal
Recipients are expected to commit to regular participation in Jewish learning and Orthodox prayer services on campus and to take on leadership or support roles within those activities. Fulfillment of these commitments is a condition for continued eligibility; students may reapply for subsequent semesters and will be considered if they satisfied prior obligations. Failure to meet the participation requirements may affect renewal decisions and future award consideration. Illini Hillel will provide guidance on expectations and tracking participation.
Commitment: Daily participation in Jewish learning and prayer, plus leadership or support responsibilities; renewal contingent on fulfilling commitments.
- Active, regular participation in prayer and learning required
- Recipients expected to lead or support Jewish practice on campus
- Reapplication and renewal depend on meeting prior commitments