JUF Right Start

If a child is the first in a family to attend a Jewish early childhood program, that child is eligible for the JUF Right Start Signature Voucher:

• $1,000 if the child plans on attending 2 or 3 days/week
• $2,000 if the child plans on attending 4 or 5 days/week

To be eligible for the JUF Right Start Signature Voucher, a child must be:

• Enrolling in a Jewish early childhood program for the first time.
• The first child in the family to attend a Jewish early childhood program.
• A member of a family where at least one parent identifies as Jewish.
• Enrolling in a JUF Right Start-affiliated program during the academic year (click here for complete list.)
• Enrolling in a class where the child attends independently* and meets at least 2 times/week
• The deadline for submitting a JUF Right Start application is three months after the child’s start date **

JUF Right Start is expanding for the 2022-23 school year:
Families receiving the Federal Child Tax Credit may be eligible for matching funds, with a savings of up to $7,200 on a Jewish early childhood program!

The Child Tax Credit has been expanded to $3,600 per child under 6 for working families who earn up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent.  JUF Right Start eligible families who qualify for the Child Tax Credit and complete an attestation in the JUF Right Start application may receive additional funds:

• For programs that cost more than $6,200, Signature Vouchers will be increased to $3,600 regardless of the number of days per week a child attends.
• For programs that cost less than $6,200, Signature Vouchers will be increased up to a maximum of $3,600:
• If the child is attending 2 or 3 days/week, the family receives the initial $1,000 Signature Voucher plus an additional voucher amount of 50% of the remaining cost of their tuition, up to $3,600 total.
• If the child plans on attending 4 or 5 days/week, the family receives the initial $2,000 Signature Voucher plus an additional voucher amount of 50% of the remaining cost of their tuition, up to $3,600 total.

For more information about eligibility about the expanded JUF Right Start voucher, contact us at rightstart@juf.org or 312-357-4967.

A child who is not the first in the family to attend a Jewish early childhood program is eligible for a $500 JUF Right Start Sibling voucher.

To be eligible for the JUF Right Start Sibling Voucher, a child must be:

• Enrolling in a Jewish early childhood program for the first time.
• A sibling of a child who has already attended a Jewish early childhood program.
• A member of a family where at least one parent identifies as Jewish.
• Enrolling in a JUF Right Start-affiliated program during the academic year (click here for complete list.)
• Enrolling in a class where the child attends independently* and meets at least 2 times/week.
• The deadline for submitting a JUF Right Start application is three months after the child’s start date **

* A child attending parent/child classes does not qualify for the voucher but may apply for the voucher when he/she enrolls in a class that meets independently.

Special Notes:

• Only one voucher per child may be redeemed.
• The deadline for submitting a JUF Right Start application is within three months of the child’s start date.
• JUF Right Start vouchers are gifted according to the academic year start date.
• If more than one child in the immediate family plans on enrolling simultaneously (for the first time) families are eligible for one Signature Voucher and one Sibling Voucher.

• Twins/multiples are eligible for the Signature Vouchers (if they are your first children). If your twins/multiples are not your first child, they are eligible for the Sibling Voucher. When applying for twins/multiples, please fill out a separate application for each child.