We encourage everyone to ask their congregation and their Israel program for assistance. In addition, there are a number of other financial assistance resources you should consider:
Masa
High school students, college students, and young adults spending a semester or more in Israel should apply for a Masa universal grant and additional financial need scholarship.
RootOne Vouchers
RootOne helps thousands of North American Jewish teens travel to Israel each summer for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. RootOne is an ambitious initiative, seeded by a generous gift from The Marcus Foundation and powered by The Jewish Education Project. Eligible teens must be entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade the fall following their summer experience. Teens must identify as Jewish, must not have previously received a RootOne voucher, and must not currently attend an Orthodox day school.
JNF's Dream Israel Initiative
Dream Israel is a
revolutionary new initiative helping to provide all Jewish teens with the
life-changing opportunity to study abroad in Israel while also giving back to
the Jewish State. In exchange for fundraising for a philanthropic cause in
Israel, students in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
can earn a grant of up to $7,500 towards their academic program with Alexander
Muss, URJ Heller High, Ramah TRY or USY High.
JNF's Plant Your Way To Israel
Youth through age 18 can raise money for a trip to Israel by asking family and friends to plant trees with JNF. Half of the proceeds of each donation ($36 minimum) will go towards planting a tree in Israel and the other half goes into a student account which can be redeemed for any trip to Israel.
Jewpiter
Jewpiter is a rewards program which can help you to return to Israel and provide you with knowledge and learning that you will use for the rest of your life. Accumulate 5,000 Jewpiter miles, then choose from their list of free (or heavily subsidized) tour + study trips to Israel. (Trips includes airfare, room, board and applicable tuition. Maximum Jewpiter reward is $500 per student. Students will be responsible for partial payment in the event that applicable program subsidies combined with the $500 Jewpiter reward does not amount to total trip cost.)
The Alisa Flatow Memorial Scholarship Fund
For post-high school study in Israel programs which earn college credits. The intention of the Fund is for those students showing academic promise in religious studies and a need for financial assistance to pursue study in Israel, and it is open to men and women who are not currently in Israel. Visit their website or contact Wallace Green at WallyG@ujabergen.org.
Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago
They offer several scholarships for high school students. Visit their website or call 773-973-2828 for more information.
American Jewish League for Israel Scholarships
Provides eligible students scholarships to attend Israeli Universities.
Atzum
The Abe and Gert Nutkis Scholarship provides grants of up to $5,000 each for full-year study in a co-educational institution of higher learning in Israel for young adults 18-30.
Helyn B. Reich Memorial Scholarship
The Helyn B. Reich
Memorial Scholarship is awarded by the American Zionist Movement to Jewish
American students enrolled in one of several designated Israeli universities or
programs for at least a semester. The scholarship seeks to recognize candidates
who have demonstrated academic excellence, pro-Israel activities and
leadership, and commitment to future involvement with the American Zionist
community. Scholarships are awarded each fall and spring, with amounts
generally ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. For more information, visit azm.org/hbr or
email azm@azm.org.
John H. and Ann G. Rhodes Foundation Scholarship
The Rhodes Foundation is a private foundation with a goal to assist children and young adults in their educational and extra-curricular endeavors. In particular, as John (“Jack”) and Ann traveled extensively while Jack was alive, one of the Foundation’s primary missions is to provide assistance to those needing assistance to further their travels and educational experiences. The Foundation is looking for worthy candidates to provide assistance in their school and extra-curricular travels and adventures. This can range from school-based trips (local or abroad), summer music camp, sports camp, art classes, or summer school classes through a local or regional college. There are no set minimum or maximum scholarships/grants at this time, but all are to be primarily financially need-based. At the present time, their policy is a limit of one scholarship per applicant over any two year period. Please note that these funds are available only to students residing in Illinois and Virginia. The Foundation will be looking for some form of community involvement by the recipients as part of their acceptance of the Foundation funding. For more information, email rhodesfoundation@rmfin.com or call 847-357-9995.
USD/Hagshama
This is an organization created to promote Zionism in North America. They have a listing of scholarships on their website.
Farther Foundation
Student Travel Grants are awarded to allow an individual student to participate in a selected travel program of their choice.
Abraham Scholars Program
For American college graduates who chose to study at specific institutions (see website for more information) for one to two years following college graduation.
Jeff Seidel’s Scholarships to Israel
$500 scholarships towards airfare to come to study in Israel on affiliated programs for Birthright and Hillel alumni.
Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture
This fund is for independent scholarly, literary, or art projects done in Israel. Please inquire regarding the deadline. The amount granted ranges from $1,000-$4,000.
The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies
This organization's mission is to ensure the continuation of Jewish life. They have many endowment funds that you can apply for.
Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund
The grant requires a commitment to educate others through lecture, program or other activities upon returning to your home or school community. You must be willing and able to do this so others will have the opportunity to learn about and to be inspired to do similar work.
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Scholarships
NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). They made changes this past year to accommodate students wanting to study abroad in countries on the US State Department Warning List.
The Dorot Foundation
Travel grants to accredited Israeli colleges and universities.
Rotary International Scholarships
The Rotarians offer scholarships up to $26,000 for Israeli university studies and Hebrew studies.
Hillel The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Hillel is the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Whether you are an undergrad or graduate student, you should contact the Hillel on your college campus regarding scholarships.
The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
Offer five $15,000 Schusterman Israel Scholar Awards to students interested in pursuing academic careers in fields related to the study of Israel. These highly competitive awards will be available to undergraduates who have already been accepted to graduate programs, graduate students who have received master’s degrees in Middle East related fields who wish to pursue doctorates, and doctoral students who are writing dissertations related to Israel. Grants are renewable for up to five years based on the completion of certain milestones. Proposals from candidates in all disciplines with an Israel focus are welcome. The competition is open only to U.S. citizens.
Aish HaTorah/Hasbarah Fellowships
Subsidies for advocacy and Jewish learning programs. Contact them for more information.
Greek Life Organizations
Are you a member of a historically Jewish Fraternity or Sorority? There may be some scholarships available for you. Contact the head of your chapter or organization and inquire within about funding.
University Study Abroad Offices
Contact your University's office and ask them about funding or any scholarships they know of off-hand - sometimes your school has funds set aside.
University Academic Departments
Does your school have a Judaic Studies or Hebrew department? If so, contact them and ask if they have funding available to support your trip. You can even try History or Political Science Departments as well.
Scholarship Applications Available
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