Estelle Lubliner Scholarship : Museum of Jewish Heritage

In Memory of the Lubliner and Finer Families

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Mission

In a growing climate of antisemitism and bigotry, Holocaust education is our first line of defense. The Estelle Lubliner Scholarship provides the opportunity for students to learn about the vital lessons of the past and to reflect deeply on what it means to Never Forget, and to combat hate in all forms.

Application

Please read all the instructions before completing the application.

Instructions

Download Instructions as a PDF

Eligibility

The Estelle Lubliner Scholarship aids students beginning their college education. These scholarships are awarded to students able to carry out academic work at a college or university and who have an interest in countering antisemitism, racism, and other kinds of hate through Holocaust education.

The maximum scholarship available from the Estelle Lubliner Scholarship is $20,000. Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the winning student(s)’s schools(s).

Applications must be submitted no later than February 1. Applicants will be informed of decisions in April.

General Instructions

Before completing the application, the applicant should read these instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). Applicants must complete the application form and submit all required documentation. The application is available in September of each year until January 31. The application should be completed and submitted online.

Requirements

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Applicant must be a high school senior attending a public school in one of the five NYC boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island or Queens).
Applicant must begin at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the same award period (July 1 through June 30) as the year awarded.
Applicant understands the scholarship will be remitted to the college or university for school-related expenses, including tuition per semester, quarter or term during which the student attends school, books, room and board, etc.

Essay

The applicant’s essay is a required and vital part of the application. The essay must respond to one of the three prompts provided and be between 1,000 – 1,500 words. The required essay format is 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. All citations must use MLA format. Any plagiarism or fabrication will disqualify the applicant from award disbursement.

Applications for 2024 will be available by September 1

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

The following must be submitted to be considered a complete application:

Completed application form
Applicant’s essay
High school transcript

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

I am still in high school, but I am taking college courses. Can I apply for the scholarship for these courses?

No. You must actually enroll at an accredited institution of higher education and receive degree credits from that institution.
I have not been accepted by a school yet, but I don’t want to miss out on applying for a scholarship for this year. May I fill out the application?

Yes. You may fill out the application. When you are accepted at a school, you will send us that information.
What do you mean by an accredited school?

The school must be eligible to award college credits under the rules and regulations of the state or jurisdiction in which the school operates. The school you are interested in should be able to tell you if they are accredited by the state and national bodies that create educational standards.
Can I get the scholarship to attend a two-year college for an associate degree or for attending a junior or community college?

Yes, if the school is accredited.
Is US citizenship required?

Yes, US citizenship is required.
Can I apply for a scholarship if I am taking a year to study abroad or a gap year?

No. You must be ready and available to begin college in the US during the scholarship award year.
How large is the Estelle Lubliner Scholarship?

The scholarship is $20,000.

APPLICATION

When are applications due?

Applications and supplementary material must be delivered by 5 PM ET on February 1, 2024. There are no exceptions. We recommend that you do not wait until the last minute to complete your application. We encourage you to begin your application as soon as you know you are eligible.
How do I submit my application?

Applications must be completed online. The application link will be available by September 1.
What do I need to complete my application?
a. An essay on one of the three themes, 1,000 – 1,500 words in length;
b. High school transcript;
c. A completed application form (link above).
Can I file an application after the deadline if I have a good reason for being late?

Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Applicants should start preparing the application sufficiently in advance to accommodate unanticipated problems.
I just received information about the scholarship and I do not have enough time to complete the application before the deadline. Can I get an extension to file?

We cannot extend the filing deadline for any reason.
Why is there no flexibility regarding the application deadline?

In order to make decisions about grants by April, our initial review committee has to review these applications as promptly as possible. Then, the applications that proceed to the next level have to be sent out for review by additional reviewers. Then summaries of the finalists’ applications have to be prepared before the final review meeting. A cutoff date is necessary because it is impossible to restart the process to consider late applications.

ESSAY

Do I have to write my essay using one of the three themes in the application or may I choose another theme?

You must write your essay using one of the three themes in the application. Essay reviewers use a rubric to ensure accurate and consistent evaluation across applications. Essay evaluation becomes unmanageable when there are not agreed-upon themes.

TRANSCRIPTS

How do you want the transcripts submitted?

At any time before the application deadline, you or your school must send us a current high school transcript. It may be emailed to Education@mjhnyc.org or mailed to:

Estelle Lubliner Scholarship
Museum of Jewish Heritage
36 Battery Place
New York, NY 10280

Another option is to upload it using the very last option in the online application form.
I went to more than one high school. Do you want transcripts of all the high schools I went to or only the one I am in now?

We need a transcript only for your current school.

APPLICATIONS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

What if I am vision impaired and unable to read the application form?

Contact us by email about alternative format applications.

NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS

When will I hear if I’ve been awarded the scholarship?

Applicants will be notified of our decisions by early April.
Is there someone I can call or who can call me to tell me of your decision?

Award letters are mailed to successful applicants. Others receive notification of the decision by email. We do not accept phone calls about scholarship decisions.

CHANGING SCHOOLS OR STATUS

I have been notified that I have received an Estelle Lubliner Scholarship. If I change my school, can I transfer the scholarship to the new one?

If you need to make a change, contact us in advance of making that change by using the contact information you received with your award letter. We will advise you about the possibility of transferring the scholarship.
What will happen to my scholarship if I change from full-time to part-time?

Scholarship payment to your college or university is based upon your full-time enrollment status. If you change from full-time to part-time, payment to your college or university will be reduced.

Estelle Lubliner Scholarship