In total, Israel has 61 higher education institutions, with 10 universities and 51 colleges throughout the country.  As an Oleh Chadash, you may be entitled to free higher education through the Student Authority as a part of your benefits package from the Israeli government.

The Student Authority which operates through the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, aims to make it easier for young Olim to get an academic degree in Israel. The Student Authority’s services include educational guidance and counseling, preparation programs (Mechinat Olim and TAKA) and financial aid in the form of scholarships for eligible students.

For more information and general inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Period of eligibility:

Students must begin their studies within 36 months of making Aliyah, not counting army, national service or MASA programs. The period is determined by the date the student began their studies even if they were not funded by the Student Authority.

The determining age for receipt of assistance from the Student Authority (age when commencing studies):

  • Commencing a preparatory program (mechina) – up to age 27.
  • Commencing undergraduate/practical engineering/certificate studies – up to age 27.
  • Commencing a graduate degree/career retraining for students an undergraduate degree – up to age 30.

Important: The Student Authority tuition subsidy is available only for studies from the date of Aliyah.

More information regarding eligibility can be found here.

Note: If you are no longer eligible for the Mechinat Olim as a new immigrant and have served in the IDF or national service, you might be eligible for a tuition grant from the Ministry of Defense. See here for more details (Hebrew).

Disclaimer: All the information here is subject to change. For updated and more detailed information, please see the Student Authority website.

Amount of assistance:

Tuition grants to cover the standard number of years per degree:

  • B.A. or B.Sc. = 3 year and 4 year programs
  • B.Ed. or BSc in engineering or nursing = 4 years
  • Architecture = 5 years
  • Medicine= 6 years
  • M.A. or M.Sc. = 2 years.
    * It can be up to 3 years if a year of supplementary courses is necessary
  • Mechinat Olim
    • Assistance for Mechinat Olim is given in addition to assistance for regular studies. Mechinat Olim is funded for students obligated by the university to do the Mechinat Olim. In order to check your eligibility for funding, contact the Student Authority.

The Student Authority pays UP TO standard state tuition fees:

  • Undergraduate = approximately 11,296 NIS per year
  • Graduate = approximately 15,265 NIS per year
  • University Preparatory Program (Mechinat Olim) = approximately 17,800 NIS per year

Reimbursement:

Universities – The Student Authority reimburses students directly after they have submitted proof of payment and other relevant forms to the Student Authority.

Colleges – Student Authority pays the college directly after the student has been approved for tuition assistance.

Mechina Programs – Student Authority pays the university directly after the student has been approved for tuition assistance.

One Year Masters Programs – An Oleh studying in a one-year MA program is eligible for up to 200% in funding (even though they fund 15,265 NIS per year, one-year MA students are entitled to approximately 30,530 NIS). Please note that the Student Authority pays half of this amount in installments throughout the first year and the second half after graduation.

Hebrew Language Studies – The Student Authority will fund up to 4,500 NIS for required language studies (Hebrew or English).

For all colleges and universities, deposits will be paid by the individual and then reimbursed by the Student Authority. The reimbursement will not include the registration fee and security fees.

Please note: English language and international programs  sometimes have higher tuition than the Israeli standard tuition and are not necessarily fully covered by the Student Authority.  Click here for a complete list of higher education institutions that are recognized by the Student Authority. If tuition is higher than the Israeli standard tuition fees listed above, the student will have to pay the difference.

The Student Authority does NOT fund:

  • Dormitories or living expenses
  • Repeating an undergraduate degree – with exception of studying law, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy or STEM subjects.
  • Registration fees, psychometric and other entrance exams, social services, health insurance, campus security etc.
  • University or college registration fee
  • Security fees

Shahak (community volunteer service) is a required program for student Olim who are receiving tuition benefits from the Student Authority for at least 2.5 years of studies. By participating in this program, Olim students have the chance to engage in communal service and to integrate into Israeli society.

Shahak offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including working at community centers (Matnasim), hospitals, old age homes, emergency centers, schools, and more.

Bear in mind that the timeline of the volunteer service goes according to the standard school year.

For more information, click here.

  • Students who receive any other Government grant will not be able to receive the Student Authority grant during the same academic year aside from the M’madim L’Limudim grant from Misrad Habitachon . However, you may be able to receive other scholarships that are not governmental.
  • Students must study consecutively, and are entitled to up to a two year break during their studies.
For NEW students, the deadlines to file and present documents are as follows:
  • First Semester: November 10
  • Second Semester: April 1
  • Summer Semester: August 15
For CONTINUING students, the deadlines to request assistance each year are as follows:
  • First Semester: October 1
  • Second Semester: April 1
  • Summer Semester: August 15

For detailed information about the process, please click here.

PRE-ALIYAH

Before making Aliyah, check out the Student Authority website and please fill out this form in order to open a preliminary account with the Student Authority.
We recommend opening an account as early as possible prior to your Aliyah.

For additional information, contact the Pre-Aliyah Services (English Desk) at the Israel Student Authority:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone and WhatsApp: 073-3972510

POST-ALIYAH

Click here for a video by the Student Authority explaining the process of applying for the tuition benefit.

Click here to login to your personal application page using your teudat zehut number and upload the following documents:

    • Teudat Oleh and Teudat Zehut
    • For those entering undergraduate studies: original high school diploma and transcripts.
    • For those entering graduate studies: original degree and university transcripts
    • Certificates or permits from any additional studies (such as Ulpan, Mechinat Olim or Naale)
    • Record of army or national service, or exemption certificate (when relevant)
    • Letter of acceptance to an institution in Israel
    • For students studying at universities, you will need to provide an Academic Financial Balance payment receipt (אישור גובה שכר לימוד) and your bank account information.

For office hours, contact information and location of the student authority branches, click here.

Last Updated: May 4, 2023

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