NFEF - Friend's Council On Education

Quaker Tuition Aid Grants

The National Friends Education Fund (NFEF), administered by Friends Council on Education, provides tuition aid to support Quaker children in Friends schools across the country. The fund aims to increase the ability of Quaker families to afford to send their children to Friends schools. Friends schools value the presence and active participation of their Quaker families; and Quaker families, likewise, value the institutional missions and commitments of Friends schools. For this reason, Friends Council on Education joins the efforts of families, schools, and Monthly Meetings to provide tuition assistance for Quaker families who demonstrate need.

Click here to download the 2024-2025 application & guidelines packet.

For Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Friends (PYM) in PYM Friends Schools

Eligibility: Grants are available to children of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) members in grades K- 12 at PYM Friends schools where families meet financial need standards as determined by the school, based on criteria adjusted by FEF/PYM standards; and at least one parent of a prospective student has been a member of a Monthly Meeting for a full year prior to the supported year. Formerly named “Friends Education Fund.”

For Friends beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Area

Eligibility: For Friends schools beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Area, grants are available to children, grades K-12, of members of Monthly Meetings beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting area and who are new to the school or have previously received a NFEF (formerly NEQC Pilot Program) award. Families must meet financial need standards as determined by the school and at least one parent of a prospective student has been a member of a Monthly Meeting for a full year prior to the supported year.

Application Process

The family submits an Application Form to the Monthly Meeting for signature of the clerk. The family then ensures that the signed application goes to the school right away. Deadlines for each step of the application process are listed on the application form.

Award Determination

Award Distribution

Funding Sources

The income sources for NFEF include: 1) annual contributions to Friends Council on Education designated to tuition aid for Friends families in Friends Schools; 2) Friends Education Fund endowment, including contributions from the Jonathan E. Rhoads Trust; 3) the National Friends Education Fund; and 4) funds provided by PYM through Jonathan E. Rhoads Endowment Fund, the Samuel Jeanes Fund, the Anna Gray Morris Trust, and the DeCou Trust. Friends Council respects and implements any gift restrictions as indicated or requested.

Am I eligible?

Members of all Yearly or Monthly Meetings qualify if:

At least one parent or legal guardian of the student has been a member of the Religious Society of Friends for at least one year prior to the start of the supported school year.
After applying to the Friends school, the school determines that the family meets need-based criteria as adjusted by FEF/PYM standards.
For schools/Meetings beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting area, the student must be new to the Friends Council member school or have previously received a NEQC award.

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