The NHC strives to make the Summer Institute accessible to all who want to participate. Toward this end, the NHC is very excited to announce a new scholarship program this year, subsidizing Institute registration/travel with the goal that no one will be unable to participate in the Institute for financial reasons. To apply for a scholarship, just follow the directions on the registration form and indicate the amount of the full registration fees that you are able to pay to come to the Institute. The application deadline for the first round of support is May 1, after which point support will be distributed on a rolling basis, dependent on available  funds.

In order to make this new system work, the NHC is asking applicants to assess their own ability to pay as honestly and accurately as possible. The NHC recognizes that financial matters can be very sensitive, and pledges that each applicant’s financial information will remain confidential, shared only with the members of the scholarship committee.

If you can afford to pay the full price of Institute, please do so. If you can’t afford the full price, please pay as much as you can. And if you are able to make a tax-deductible contribution toward the scholarship fund, please do that, too, so that everyone who wants to attend has the opportunity to do so.

Please include a deposit of at least $300 per person, send in your registration form by May 1, and email the following to: scholarships@havurah.org.

1. How much your NHC Summer Institute registration fees would be at full rates and how much of this you (and your family, if applicable) can afford to pay.
2. Any additional details or circumstances you feel are relevant, including the cost of travel, if applicable.

Shortly after May 1, you will be informed whether your application has been approved. All balances are due by June 1. The deposit is completely refundable if your request is not approved and you are unable to afford to attend. Some additional support may be available after May 1, but this will depend on the availability of funds.

It may be possible to secure financial help to attend the Institute from other sources.

Some participants who belong to a synagogue have secured assistance from their rabbi’s discretionary fund, some Jewish  educators have received help to attend as a form of professional development,  and some college students have obtained  financial help from Hillel or chaplain conference funds. Residents of Western Massachusetts should check out the Harold Grinspoon Foundation ( www.hgf.org ) for scholarship funds. Jewish federations may have similar funds for children’s participation in Kids Camp. Before concluding that you can’t afford to join us, research your resources — and ask!

Work-Study Assistance

A limited number of work-study positions are available in one of three areas: the Institute office, the children’s camp, or kashrut supervision. In exchange for at least 14 hours of work over the course of the week, participants can attend the Institute for $400  plus NHC dues and participate fully in the rest of the program. To apply for a work-study position, check www.havurah.org  to see the open positions and call the Institute office (215-248-1335) to apply. All requests are confidential and must be  submitted by June 30, 2008.