What Can I Study with PEF Financial Aid?

The Perpetual Education Fund provides financial support for a wide variety of approved educational training for skills in local demand. You can use PEF financial aid for:

• Technical and vocational programs.
• Professional programs and certifications.
• University degrees for skills in high local demand.

The purpose of the Perpetual Education Fund is to help Church members reach self-reliance. For most members, shorter technical and vocational programs in their area are the quickest and cheapest path to becoming self-reliant.

If you need better work and better pay now—or if local jobs require you to complete an accredited program in your country—you should consider enrolling in an approved educational program using PEF financial aid.

You can use PEF financial aid for an educational program on the PEF Approved List. If PEF is available in your country, you can access the Approved List through the PEF portal using your ChurchofJesusChrist.org account. You can search the Approved List by program name, school name, cost, program length, or city.

To better ensure that a program will lead you to financial self-reliance, each program must:

• Provide skills that are locally in demand.
• Have a history of graduates who have financial success.
• Have the potential for work and income.
• Support affordable repayment of any loaned PEF funds.

If a program or school you are interested in is not on the Approved List, you can request that it be reviewed for approval through the PEF Portal. Please remember that not all programs or schools will be approved.

When selecting an educational program, you will need to consider factors such as finances, the job market, and training options. The Education for Better Work course reviews these topics and specifically addresses principles for choosing a program. You should consider the quality of the school or training program, your ability to get accepted and finish, and the cost and value.

Remember the concept of good, better, and best. The most prestigious program will not always be the best option given your circumstances. To make the best decision, you should ask yourself questions like:

• What skills do I already have?
• What type of work interests me?
• What type of work comes naturally to me?
• Do I need better work and better pay now?
• How do I want to use my educational training? For example, would I like to start a business or would I prefer to work for someone else?
• What jobs would allow me to use the skills I have or want to learn?
• What approved educational programs match my skills and interests?
• How much of a salary increase is required to achieve self-reliance?
• Is it possible to achieve self-reliance by completing a shorter technical or vocational program?