Scholarships
For information pertaining to Jewish Studies scholarships and admissions to the College of Charleston, please contact Program Director Dr. Ayalon at ayalony@cofc.edu or 843.953.7625.
The Jewish Studies Program is committed to helping students interested in Judaism or of the Jewish faith to afford a College of Charleston education. Our goal is to make it possible for all Jewish students or those interested in Judaism/Jewish Studies to be able to come to CofC, and we do everything within our means to make this a possibility for our students every year.
Thanks to the generosity of members of our community, we are able to offer a number of scholarships. Most of our scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen and, assuming they still qualify for it, are renewed for the student's four years at the College. This means that, while all of our scholarships are open for application every cycle (typically in early spring), in practice only a few of them are awarded to incoming freshmen every year, with the rest being offered to returning students. If nothing else is mentioned below, good standing for scholarhip purposes means maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Our scholarships are a work in progress. If you are thinking about endowing a scholarship and benefitting from the College of Charleston's very generous matching program, or if you wish to support our students in other ways, see below.
Introducing the General Student Scholarship Fund
At the moment, our program offers the following scholarships. Please note that amounts change every time a scholarship is awarded based on funds available in its endowment and the status of the student receiving it (in or out of state). In general, scholarships through the Jewish Studies Program range from $2000 to $10000/year per student.
Fay ('43) and Jack ('42) Brickman Endowed/Annual Scholarship
Established by Tippy Stern Brickman and Fay and Jack Brickman’s children in honor of Fay and Jack Brickman, the scholarship was created to celebrate their parents’ incredible lives, to honor their significant contributions to the family and the community, and to express how much their lives have touched their children, grandchildren, extended family members, and the community.The Brickman Scholarship provides scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need according to the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs at the College of Charleston. The Brickman Scholarship was created to provide significant supplementary financial aid to a deserving male or female student involved in the Jewish Student Union/Hillel and/or a declared Jewish Studies major or minor. The Brickman Scholarship is suited to a young man or woman with demonstrated financial need, a desire to achieve scholastically and who – through his or her leadership in community or civic service – has also demonstrated the attributes of character that will reflect positively on the namesakes of the scholarship. Preference is given to a student involved in Hillel and/or a declared Jewish Studies major or minor.
Gerald and Beth Polis Endowed/Annual Scholarship
Established in 2015 by CofC alumnus Jerry Polis ’62 and his wife Beth, the Polis Endowed Scholarship provides a need-based scholarship to students who demonstrate an intention to participate in student life aspects of the Jewish Studies Program, and who have demonstrated a commitment to social justice. Preference will be given to applicants who are students of the Jewish faith. The Polis Endowed Scholarship is awarded to one freshman student every four years, who will receive a fixed award per year for up to 4 years so long as that student remains in good standing and with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Israel and Edith Altman Family Endowed/Annual Scholarship for Jewish Studies
Arlene Altman, Charles Altman, and Sam Altman have established two scholarships at the College of Charleston in honor and in memory of their parents, Edith and Israel Altman. Edith and Israel Altman were immigrants arriving into the United States of America in 1920; she from the Ukraine, and he from Poland. Israel Altman established a furniture business with his brothers, which operated in downtown Charleston under the name of Altman’s Furniture Company from 1928 to 2005, and Charles Realty Company, Inc. The business was supported by a variety of customers including those from the African American community. Israel and Edith Altman were married in 1939, were active in Synagogue Emanu-EL, and were very observant in their Jewish Faith. Their faith played a major part in their lives, in how they ran their business, and the guidance they provided to their children and grandchildren. Education was important, as neither had the means to attend a school of higher education. Preference will be given to a student of the Jewish faith who is a non-resident of South Carolina.
Jean S. Rosner Endowed/Annual Scholarship
Established in 2017, the Rosner Endowed Scholarship provides a merit-based scholarship for out-of-state students. Preference will be given to applicants who are students of the Jewish faith. The Rosner Endowed Scholarship is awarded to one freshman student every four years, who may continue to receive it as long as College requirements are met.
Leo E. and Helen H. Reese Scholarship
Created in memory of Leo E. and Helen R. Reese, this scholarship will be awarded to students in good standing with the College, with preference given to students involved with Jewish activities and programs on campus (Jewish Student Life or academic activities within the Jewish Studies Program) and within the greater Charleston community. Preference is also given to students of the Jewish faith.
Lillian and Jack Leff Endowed/Annual Scholarship
Terrill “Terry” Leff, his sister Elaine, and his brother Daniel have created this scholarship to assist Jewish students in the Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston. Their parents, Lillian and Jack Leff were active members of Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue in Charleston. They were married for 56 years. Jack was employed by Kerrisons in the shoe department for many years. Lilly was a wonderful homemaker. Jack passed away in 1999. Lillian passed away in 2007. This scholarship is in loving memory of Lillian and Jack and forever honors their legacy and the Jewish faith and heritage they instilled in their family. The Lillian and Jack Leff Endowed Scholarship is a 4-year scholarshiop for an incoming freshman from out-of-state who qualifies for scholarship assistance based on financial need or merit and has (and then maintains) an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference given to students of Jewish faith.
Melrod Family Endowed Scholarship
Daniel Melrod earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law. He currently serves as Chairman of JP Metz, a real estate investment and advisory firm in Bethesda, Maryland. Mr. Melrod and his wife, Grace, have long supported Jewish causes and wish to honor their son Gabriel Melrod, who graduated from the College of Charleston. Their family values higher education and wishes to help the College of Charleston recruit more outstanding out-of-state Jewish students.The Melrod Family Endowed Scholarship was established to provide four-year scholarships to a student who is an incoming freshman demonstrating merit from outside South Carolina. Renewal of the scholarship for up to 3 additional years is contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Preference is given to students of the Jewish faith.
This is a new scholarship that has not yet been awarded. Check back here for information about the 2021 cycle.
Norman and Gerry Sue Arnold Endowed Scholarship
Norman Arnold, born in 1929, spent his early years in Charleston before the Arnold Family moved to Columbia. He attended college at Oglethorpe University outside Atlanta and after graduation returned to Columbia to join the Ben Arnold Company, a distributing business that his grandfather Isaac Ginsberg founded in 1907. Throughout his success, he drew strength from his wife of over forty years, Gerry Sue, as has she from him. The couple met in Atlanta, where Gerry Sue was born and raised, and where they were married in 1963. At the time they met, Gerry Sue, who holds a B.A. in Radio and Television Marketing from the University of Miami, was working for her father’s advertising agency. They lived in Columbia where they raised their three sons, Ben Daniel Arnold, Michael Siegel Arnold, and David Ginsberg Arnold. Both Norman and Gerry Sue come from families that placed great emphasis on being involved with their synagogues as well as contributing to and being active in Jewish causes. Gerry Sue’s father, Harry L. Siegel, was president of their synagogue, Ahavath Achim, and was active in Jewish community affairs. Norman’s father was active in the American Zionist movement, a member of Synagogue Ema nu-El in Charleston, and a leader in South Carolina’s Jewish community.
In addition to being founding and lifetime members of the Jewish Studies Advisory Board at the College of Charleston, the Arnolds have donated well over $2 million to various aspects of the Jewish Studies Program. Their philanthropic gifts include the Arnold Center for Israel Studies, a distinguished visiting chair in Jewish Studies, Marty’s Place, and significant endowment support which led to the program being named after them. Norman’s Patio was named after Mr. Arnold in recognition of his lifelong philanthropy. Norman passed away in August 2016 at the age of 86.
The Arnold Scholarship is for incoming freshmen who are out-of-state students. Award is renewable for up to three additional years as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Raymond and Florence Stern Endowed Scholarship
Raymond and Florence Stern were shining examples of South Carolina’s small-town Jewish citizens who balanced commitments to their families, their communities, and their Jewish heritage. Raymond was raised in Andrews, South Carolina, where his family constituted the majority of the town’s Jewish population. His parents opened a clothing store, and were part of a loose network of Jewish merchants in small towns throughout the state. After attending the University of South Carolina and serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, he met and married his wife Florence. He remained active in the Air Force Reserves, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel and serving as a recruiter for the Air Force Academy, visiting rural SC high schools to encourage students to consider the Academy. In addition to maintaining the family store in Andrews, Raymond took a second job as a rural mailman to support the college educations of his children. Florence Harris Stern was a life-long student who was passionate about education, family, culture, and improving the lives of others. Although she was raised in New Jersey and South Florida, she spent the majority of her life in South Carolina. The Sterns started their family in Andrews, moving to Georgetown a few years later. While living in Georgetown, the Sterns were active in the small local synagogue, and exposed their children to Jewish learning by driving them every weekend to Charleston for Sunday school at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. The family later moved to Charleston, and their two sons attended Addlestone Hebrew Academy. In their retirement years, Florence and Raymond took advantage of learning opportunities at the College of Charleston, especially the Jewish Studies Program. The Stern family has endowed this scholarship to honor Florence and Raymond’s love of Charleston, Jewish education, and helping others.
Eligible students must declare a major or minor in Jewish Studies, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students from a rural town in South Carolina or another state.
S.S. Solomons Scholarship
Established in 1957 by the estate of Zipporah M. Solomons, the S.S.Solomons Scholarship assists students at the College of Charleston with financial need. Preference is given to students of the Jewish faith who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship typically supports 3-4 students a year, and is renewable as long as the recipient is in good standing and still qualifies for need-based assistance by the office of financial aid.
Matched endowed scholarship opportunited are still available! The College and the Jewish Studies Program will match Jewish Studies scholarships by a 1:3 ratio, meaning that an endowed scholarship of $50,000 that produces about $2500 a year will now award $10,000 per year, or up to $40000 for the 4 years a student spends at CofC.
For details about both opportunities, contact Program Director Dr. Ayalon.
All applications for scholarships are now handled via a centralized online system, the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS). CSAS will serve as the platform for applying for all privately funded scholarships throughout the College. CSAS gives students access to all departmental scholarships that may be available to them through one easy application! To submit an application, please visit https://cofc.academicworks.com .
Cougar Scholarship Awarding System (CSAS) Frequently Asked Questions
1) My student information is incorrect in CSAS. How can I get that updated?
A. If your personal identifiable information is incorrect (name, social security number, date of birth), please contact the Registrar’s Office to complete forms to have that updated. For all other issues, please email foundationscholarships@cofc.edu.
2) How do I log into CSAS?
A. You will be required to create an account by using your CofC email address and creating a password. **Please note your password does not update when you update your MyCharleston password.
3) My scholarship was renewable through my department, do I have to re-apply each year?
A. Yes, you will need to reapply for your scholarship every year. While we fully expect students in good standing and who still meet scholarship criteria to have their funding renewed, we cannot guarantee this without your application. Reminders to apply for scholarships are sent to all students in early spring.
4) My major, year, or honors college code is not coming through?
A. Please email foundationscholarships@cofc.edu with a screen shot.
5) I should be populating into a scholarship but I am not.
A. Please email foundationscholarships@cofc.edu
