The Perpetual Education Fund
Who is the PEF Program For?
If you are a Church member who is unemployed, underemployed, or need better employment to provide for you and your family, the PEF program may help you become self-reliant. Here are some examples of individuals who might benefit from the program:
- A single mother who is trying to provide for her children.
- A middle-aged father who has lost his job and is looking to update his skills.
- A young single adult who is struggling to meet his or her financial obligations.
- A recently returned missionary who needs a better job to prepare for a future family.
- A young father who must work extra hours or jobs to care for his family.
If you don’t qualify for a PEF loan or determine the program is not right for you, the Church offers other resources that can help you obtain education and reach self-reliance. One of these resources is BYU–Pathway Worldwide, which provides access to affordable online learning and is available in more than 180 countries.
Why Should I Consider a PEF Loan?
With PEF financial aid, you can obtain an education in your native country and language, gain skills that are locally in-demand, and become more self-reliant. When you increase your self-reliance, you can better provide for your family, serve in the Church, and contribute to your community.
The PEF program is designed to remove barriers to self-reliance and give hope to those in need. The program:
- Reduces the burden of financing your education by providing loans with little to no interest, a portion as a scholarship, and a discount on the loan.
- Unlocks new employment opportunities by providing financial support for a variety of approved educational training.
- Puts personal financial goals and self-reliance within reach by giving you a path to improve your skills.
- Strengthens your relationship with Jesus Christ by improving your temporal circumstances.
Do I Qualify for a PEF Loan?
To receive a PEF loan, you must meet the following requirements:
- You hold a current temple recommend.
- You need better employment to provide for you and your family.
- You cannot pay the tuition or other expenses needed to learn better skills that will lead to better employment opportunities.
- You live in an approved country. (see FAQ, “Is PEF available in my country?”)
- You are determined to successfully complete your education, find work or start a business that leads to self-reliance, and repay any funds that you borrow.
Note: If you are single between the ages of 18 and 30, you will also be asked to participate in institute while studying using a PEF loan.
You will discuss these topics when meeting with your bishop as part of the application process.
What Type of Education Can I Receive through PEF?
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.
If PEF is available in your country, you can see what educational programs are approved by accessing the Approved List through the PEF portal using your ChurchofJesusChrist.org account.
For more information about choosing and enrolling in an educational program, see What Can I Study with PEF Financial Aid?
How Do I Apply for PEF Financial Aid?
Step 1: Confirm that you qualify for PEF financial aid (see, “Do I qualify for a PEF loan?”).
Step 2: Complete one of the following courses:
- Education for Better Work
- Starting and Growing a Business
- Find a Better Job
- Personal Finances
- Pathway Connect Life Skills 101 (English only)
Step 3: Complete the course Perpetual Education Fund for Self-Reliance.
Step 4: Receive a PEF endorsement from your bishop or branch president.
Step 5: Complete the online application.
During the application process, you will:
- Verify completion of the required self-reliance courses.
- Upload required documents.
- Select an approved educational program and verify enrollment.
- Enter the amount of financial aid you will need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Perpetual Education Fund?
The Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) is money that qualifying members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can use for approved educational programs in their local areas. The funds come from non-tithing donations to the Church. If you qualify, you can receive cost-effective financial aid for education, such as low-cost student loans.
Is the program right for everyone?
While the PEF program is a great resource for many, it is not right for everyone. When considering PEF financial aid, you should ask yourself questions like:
- Am I already self-reliant? Do I have sufficient funds to provide for myself and my family?
- Do I need better work and better pay now?
- Do local jobs require a certificate, degree, or diploma from an accredited institution in my area or country?
- Will I earn more money after completing an educational program?
- How will I make time to complete an educational program?
- How will I provide for myself and my family while completing an educational program?
- Who can help me make the best decisions and encourage me as I am studying?
- Are the employment and educational paths I am interested in approved under the PEF program?
- Will I be determined to repay any loans I have received?
Your decision to pursue PEF financial aid will depend on the answers to questions like these. We encourage you to discuss your considerations with Heavenly Father, family members, and Church leaders.
Is PEF available in my country?
The PEF program is specifically designed for members living in an approved country. The program is currently available in the following countries:
- Albania
- American Samoa
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- DR Congo
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Because the list of available countries is subject to change, it is best to confirm through the PEF portal. You can access the PEF portal using your ChurchofJesusChrist.org account. If PEF is not available in your country, you will see a message alerting you.
How can I use PEF financial aid?
You can use PEF financial aid to pay for the costs required to complete an approved educational program. These costs include:
- Tuition
- Supplies
- Books
- Certifications
- Transportation
- Housing
- Equipment
- Computers
- Exams
For more information about what educational programs are available through PEF, visit What Can I Study with PEF Financial Aid?
Am I expected to pay back my loan?
Most often, PEF financial aid will be a student loan. Although a PEF loan must be repaid, it is possible that a portion of the amount will be given as a scholarship that will not have to be repaid.
Additionally, loan discounts (formerly called incentives) will be offered for those that graduate and provide proof of graduation or their employment or business after they graduate. The discount may be up to 30 percent off what is borrowed.
PEF financial aid provides an affordable option for those seeking skills locally in-demand. In cases where interest is charged on a PEF loan, the interest rates are very low. If repayment of your loan ever becomes a burden, we have options and adjustments available to help you.
For specifics about PEF financial aid in your area, access the PEF portal using a ChurchofJesusChrist.org account.
Why might I be required to pay back my loan?
When President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced the Perpetual Education Fund, he said that those who repay their PEF loans “will enjoy a wonderful sense of freedom because they have improved their lives…through borrowing and then repaying. They can hold their heads high in a spirit of independence” (“The Perpetual Education Fund,” Ensign, May 2001, 53).
These and other great blessings are promised to those who faithfully use PEF financial aid to gain valuable skills and then, in gratitude, repay any loans. Repaying borrowed funds provides other members with the opportunity to become self-reliant through education.
How do I access the PEF portal?
You can access the PEF portal using your ChurchofJesusChrist.org account. If you don’t have an account on the Church website, you can create one at https://account.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/register?lang=eng using your membership number. You can find your membership number on your temple recommend or in the Member Tools mobile app.
–President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Perpetual Education Fund,” Ensign, May 2001
For Church Leaders
The Perpetual Education Fund helps Church members pay for education that will help them earn a living and become self-reliant. As a leader in the Church, you can:
Teach members about PEF.
Many members who need help paying for their education are not aware that PEF funds are available. Awareness can be a beacon of hope for many.
Recommend individuals for the program.
You may be able to identify individuals who could benefit from this program. Look for those who are committed to improving their situations but lack the resources to pursue further education.
Review the progress of members in school and help them graduate.
Keeping track of members’ progress and staying engaged with them is vital. This not only helps ensure they are moving forward but also allows you to offer necessary support or intervention if they face obstacles.
Help members find employment or with their business startup.
The next significant step for participants who complete their education is to find a job or start a business. You can recommend ward, stake, and community resources. Your local welfare and self-reliance manager can help in this process.