Perpetual Education Fund

Who is the PEF Program For? 

If you are a faithful member of the Church looking to become more self reliant or wants to better provide for your family, and lack the fund needed to pay for a training or a course, PEF Program may help you accomplish your goals. 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. 

Why Should I Consider a PEF Program?

With finance assistance provided by PEF Program, you can obtain an education in your native country and language, gain skills that are locally in-demand, work at a better job, 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 Program?

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 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. 

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. 

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. 

Are Certain Educational Programs Recommended? 

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. 

Can I Enroll in Any Educational Program? 

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. 

How Are Educational Programs Approved for PEF? 

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. 

How Do I Choose an Educational Program? 

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? 
   

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?”) and learn about the approved program on PEF portal HERE.  

Step 2: Set up an appointment to meet with your Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager –   at edu.asia@ChurchofJesusChrist.org 

• If your program is not on the approved list, you can work with WSRM to get it approved by conducting initial research and gathering required documents

Step 3: Receive a PEF endorsement from your bishop or branch president. 

Step 4: Complete one of the following courses (contact your bishop or branch president to enroll): 

• Education for Better Work 

• Starting and Growing a Business 

• Find a Better Job 

• Personal Finances 

• Pathway Connect Life Skills 101 (English only) 

Step 5: Complete the course “Perpetual Education Fund for Self-Reliance). 

Step 6: Gather and upload required documents 

Step 7: Complete and Submit 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.