Loan recipients are enrolled mostly in Missouri colleges and universities, including nursing, medical and dental schools.
Some students receive loans for technical or vocational training.
Founded in 1920, this organization originally was established as a committee of the St. Louis Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. At that time its scope was expanded to include all needy students of St. Louis and St. Louis County regardless of race or religion. In 1979, by a vote of the Board of Directors, the historical records of this organization were given to the Joint Collection of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection of the University of Missouri and the State Historical Society of Missouri. The collection is arranged in two record series. Series 1 contains papers of all kinds dated before 1979, and Series 2 encompasses current publications and board minutes which will be continually added to the collection.