Scholarships, Discounts, & Payment Plans

JCC Ranch Camp Scholarships and Financial Aid

For a live list of all the scholarship and tuition assistance options and information we’ve collected, click here.

Ranch Camp families that are in need of financial assistance for camp are invited to apply for a scholarship.  The JCC and Ranch Camp have a limited pool of funds available for needs-based assistance, which is allocated in three cycles on a first come, first served basis beginning in December, and will be distributed until exhausted. 

We want to assure you that the Scholarship Committee determines awards in a fully anonymous manner.  No one on the Committee knows the identity of any applicant.  It follows the criteria and processes that are set by the Finance Committee of the JCC Board of Directors. 

If you are interested in applying for scholarships, you will select the “Scholarship Payment Plan” upon registration. This will ask for a $250 non-refundable deposit (per camper, per session) and a $25 – $50 non-refundable registration fee per camper, followed by a payment plan of 50% of the remaining total to be paid on the first of each month concluding on June 1, 2026.  Once scholarship awards are announced our registrar will work with you to set up a payment plan for any remaining balance.  If your scholarship award exceeds the remaining tuition due, you will be refunded the overpayment. 

We use FAST financial aid services to review and award financial need-based scholarships. Families applying for financial aid will need to complete an application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FAST.  In addition to all of the financial information and documentation, the FAST application will provide you the opportunity to explain why your situation is unique, or why the data does not accurately portray your situation.  Once the application is complete, FAST uses the information you provided to calculate a scoring of your family’s unique financial situation.   

We are moving up the scholarship process to allow families more time to incorporate their scholarship awards into their payment plans.  Because of the timing of the application process, FAST will base their calculations on your 2024 financial information and tax returns, and other financial information you provide.  We may ask for additional supporting documentation of your 2025 income (such as recent paystubs).  If you have any issues with submitting your 2024 tax returns, you must contact the Camps Registrar directly via email.   

Understanding the Scholarship Process

I want to apply for Scholarship, but am not sure if I will qualify… How does the application process work?
We know how much this opportunity means to your family, and want to assure you that the scholarship committee carefully considers many factors when reviewing applications. When
you submit your application, it is processed by a third-party company specializing in financial aid. They assess income, assets, expenses, and liabilities to determine what is considered Income Available for Tuition. If their calculations show available income beyond the cost of the program, the system may determine that a family does not qualify based on financial need alone.

However, we recognize that numbers don’t always tell the full story. That’s why the Scholarship Committee carefully reviews any extenuating circumstances that may not be reflected in the data. We also consider additional funding sources, such as grants from One Happy Camper, synagogue funds, and access to the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and Universal Preschool Program (UPK) to help support families whenever possible. Unfortunately, our scholarship fund is limited, and each year, the requests exceed the amount we are able to award. This makes the process incredibly difficult, as we want to support as many families as we can. While we cannot predict what future years will bring, please know that we are always striving to raise as much funding as possible to assist families like yours.

What if I do not qualify? Is there an appeal process?
We understand that life is ever-changing, and while we strive to make the best decisions the first time, we also recognize that circumstances can shift. Whenever possible, we do our best to
offer families a second review of their application through our appeal process. If funding allows, we welcome appeals that include any new or updated information that may not have been available during the initial application process. In cases where additional funds are available, the Scholarship Committee will thoughtfully reconsider the appeal with the new details
provided.

However, there are some years when, unfortunately, funding is fully allocated after the initial review. In those instances, we regret that we are unable to accept appeals. We truly appreciate
your understanding and encourage families to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our goal is always to support our community in the best way we can.

How much support can I expect if I qualify?
Because the programs eligible for Scholarship Funding vary widely in cost, we do not use a fixed scale for assistance. Instead, we carefully review each application individually, considering the
recommended award, a family’s financial need, and our available funding. Additionally, we strive to support as many families as possible, which means we must also take into account the total number of applicants to ensure fair distribution of funds.

What if I need to cancel my child’s registration due to Financial Hardship?
We understand that financial circumstances can change, and we want to support families as best we can. If you need to withdraw from a program due to financial reasons resulting from the Scholarship Committee’s decision, you will receive a full refund of any payments made, except for the non-refundable deposit and registration fee, which were outlined at the time of registration.