Together We Can Solve Tuition
The average cost of tuition in our community is $30,000 per child, per year. For a family with five children, that’s a bill of $150,000. How can families live like this? The burden is enormous, affecting nearly every household. But our community has proven that when we face a challenge, we come together. We’ve always supported each other, whether it’s families, businesses, or health needs. Tuition should be no different. This is our moment to work side by side and solve this challenge through unity, creativity, and commitment.
UCEF has spent the last 8 years working with community companies and individuals to generate funds for tuition relief. To date, UCEF distributed nearly $6 million directly to families in all 14 Brooklyn community schools.
The system is in place. Parents, schools, and businesses are connected. The structure works. Now we need more people to use and maximize these programs so we can generate millions more for our community families.
How You Can Help, At No Cost
UCEF connects your company to vetted vendors. You talk to them like any new partner, review pricing, services, and quality. If it works for your business, the vendor pays UCEF a royalty that goes directly to tuition relief.
One example: “A company initially told us not to bother, they thought they already had the best rates. After a review, UCEF was able to save them $150,000, and now their business generates royalties for UCEF, connecting their business to Beracha.” If it doesn’t make sense, nothing changes. No risk, only potential benefit.
UCEF partners with top professionals across all types of insurance, Business, Home, Life, Group Health, Estate Planning, and more. Connect with one of the UCEF partners to see if they can get you better rates or better coverage. If they can, make the change, otherwise stick with what you have.
Eli Cohen Insurance Agency Partnership
The Eli Cohen Insurance Agency has been a flagship partnership for UCEF. They have been successful in helping save our community business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars and have been able to contribute to the UCEF fund. The Eli Cohen Insurance Agency specializes in:
- Property Insurance for Real Estate including Residential, Commercial, Warehouse/Industrial
- Product Liability & Ocean Marine for wholesale companies
- Business Insurance and Workers Comp for retail stores, restaurants, and more
- Homeowners/Landlord insurance for homes in NY and NJ
UCEF Debit Card Program
Everyday purchases can generate tuition dollars. Shopping locally, for example buying groceries at Jerusalem Glatt, clothing at 2020, a treat from Urban Pops, or dinner at Subnational, generates rewards to your own tuition bill. Rewards can be 2–5x higher than most credit cards. Keep your cards, but when rewards are better, use the UCEF Tab card.
The card is also perfect for kids. Instead of cash allowance, load the UCEF card. You control the funds, guide their shopping, and every purchase racks up tuition credits that come directly off your bill.
How UCEF Distributes the Money
UCEF’s program is inclusive and fair. Each year, UCEF has sent schools a list of approved families and the per-child amount, then issues a lump-sum check. Schools apply the funds directly to each parent’s tuition bills. Families see immediate savings.
New Programs on the Horizon
UCEF is positioned to lead with the upcoming tax credit bill. Starting January 1, 2027, every taxpayer can send a $1700 donation to UCEF which will generate a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. It doesn’t cost you anything, and since UCEF has running programs every donation dollar goes directly to tuition relief.
UCEF also has 3–4 major initiatives in development that can generate millions more. The systems are ready. What they need now is people to get involved and help put them into action.
Your Role Matters
This isn’t about a few leaders doing all the work. Every person has a role. Work with a vendor, review your insurance, shop with the debit card, or share your skills and connections. Let’s stop saying, “There’s nothing we can do,” and start saying, “I’m ready to do something.” Together we can turn this challenge into our greatest accomplishment. The more people that participate, the more successful we can be.
If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to a UCEF board member or contact our Executive Director, Sammy Esses, at 917-647-9276 or email him at sammy@ucef.com. You can call, text, or email him anytime.
