Tap-ing into tomorrow

Tali Paransky Griffin cried “tears of joy” when she learned about Crown Family Philanthropies’ Tuition Accessibility Partnership (TAP) Fund.

The alternative tuition model seeks to make a co-educational Jewish day school more accessible by capping a family’s total tuition at 12% of its household annual adjusted income (AGI). The TAP Fund started in the 2024-25 school year.

“It was a very meaningful savings for our family,” the mother of two said. Despite already receiving generous financial aid from Bernard Zell Jewish Day School, the TAP Fund provided Griffin’s family with certainty about long-term assistance. “The ability to plan and calculate exactly what your tuition will be for several years to come is revolutionary.”

In addition to Bernard Zell, participating schools include Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School, Chicago Jewish Day School, Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School, and Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago. Originally offered to students in grades K-8, the TAP Fund will be offered for qualifying students entering Junior Kindergarten starting in the 2026-27 school year.

“The extension of TAP to four-year-olds is huge and acknowledges the fact that families are making decisions about education with younger and younger children,” said Miriam Kass, Principal at Akiba Schechter. “We know that it’s harder for kids to make transitions in their schooling as they get older, so to be able to welcome families sooner through the TAP initiative is tremendous.”

“I believe that a Jewish education is the best gift any Jewish parent can give their child,” added Dr. Lena Kushnir, Head of School at Solomon Schechter. “We are giving them a foundation for the rest of their lives, in terms of their Jewish living and learning, and who they are as human beings. Having partners like Crown and TAP to help us do that work is really exciting and rewarding. The more kids who are in Jewish day school, the better for the future of the Jewish people.”

The TAP Fund does not replace financial aid support from schools and, in some cases, families may be eligible for both the TAP Fund and school financial aid programs. TAP funds are paid to schools, not directly to families. 

According to Kushnir, funds have already had a direct impact on students. Since the program’s inception in 2024, Solomon Schechter brought in an additional school counselor and a special education Hebrew teacher as well as provided additional professional development and training for teachers.

The initiative comes at a time amidst a continued rise in antisemitism, leading some families to be especially attracted to a Jewish day school’s strong education and supportive, welcoming community.

“We went in wanting Jewish education and what we’ve ended up with is a school that supports our children in such meaningful ways, both academically from a social emotional perspective,” Griffin said. “The idea of ever having to contemplate moving them for financial reasons would be devastating. TAP allows us to have a safer future while also investing in Jewish education.”

Determinations for the TAP Fund are based on eligibility requirements–which include annual AGI between $200,000 and $350,000–not on a first-come, first-served basis. The application process will require a copy of page one of your 1040 form from the most recent tax year. To learn more, visit here .