Higher Education for Olim

Haskalah G’voha LeOlim

השכלה גבוהה לעולים

Israel hosts 61 higher education institutions, consisting of 10 universities and 51 colleges and various certificate granting programs throughout the country. As an Oleh Chadash - עולה חדש - new immigrant, you may be entitled to free higher education through the Minhal HaStudentim - מנהל הסטודנטים - Student Authority, as a part of your benefits package from the Israeli government. Check the link above for more information.

Important Note: Application requirements and the transfer of foreign credits earned in a university or college abroad varies from school to school. For more details about the process, you need to be in direct touch with each school you are interested in.

Minhal HaStudentim

The Minhal operates through the Misrad HaKlita – משרד הקליטה – Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and aims to make it easier for young Olim to get an academic degree in Israel. The services provided by the authority include:

• Educational guidance and counseling
• Pre-academic programs: Mechinat Olim – מכינת עולים and TAKA – תק”א (for students exempt from the Mechinat Olim)
• Financial aid in the form of scholarships for eligible students
• Help in studying for the YAEL test – יע”ל – ידע עברית לאקדמיה – Hebrew Knowledge for Academia. Please note: The course offered by the Minhal HaStudentim is free and offered online and is an addition to the general assistance of the Minhal

Who needs a Mechinat Olim?

• Most universities require a successful completion of a Mechinat Olim as a requirement for acceptance to a bachelor’s degree program. This requirement is relevant for students who completed their studies in countries where the high school matriculation is not considered equivalent to the Israeli Teudat Bagrut – תעודת בגרות – matriculation certificate
• One must begin this program before age 27

Who is the TAKA program for?

The program is open to anyone who is exempt from Mechinat Olim and includes:

• A high school graduate from countries where the matriculation is equivalent to the Israeli Bagrut
• A student who has completed at least one academic year of studies abroad
• A student who came to Israel with a Bachelor’s degree and wishes to earn a Master’s degree
• A student who wishes to study in colleges and academic institutions that do not require a Mechinat Olim
• A student who intends to study practical engineering or other certificate studies which are not academic degrees

The maximum age to start the program:

• Candidates for a Bachelor’s degree up to the age of 27
• Candidates for a Master’s degree up to the age of 30
• Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements but wish to take the TAKA course without any further academic funding – up to the age of 32

What is the YAEL test?

The purpose of the YAEL test is to classify levels of Hebrew; it is a common requirement of the leading academic institutions in Israel.

A person who has a Te’udat Bagrut/a high school diploma/a bachelor’s degree that is not in Hebrew, or a person who takes the psychometric exam in a foreign language, is required to take the test. Success on the test enables acceptance to a variety of higher education institutions and will bring you closer to an exemption from a Hebrew language requirement during your studies.

The test is similar to the psychometric exam: it includes multiple-choice questions, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence completion and a written essay.

The grade on the test determines whether those taking it will be accepted to study programs and also to what level in Hebrew they will be assigned until achieving an exemption.

Financial Aid and Eligibility

Disclaimer: All the information below is subject to change

For more information about the Student Authority Scholarship please reference our guide and for eligibility requirements see here

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

The amount of assistance provided is dependent on the degree you are studying for.

• 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 Minhal HaStudentim

• The Minhal HaStudentim pays up to the standard state tuition fees regardless of the actual tuition in your school
• Reimbursement:
  
  • Universities – The Minhal HaStudentim reimburses students directly after they have submitted proof of payment and other relevant forms to the Minhal office.
  • Colleges – Minhal HaStudentim pays the college directly after the student has been approved for tuition assistance.
  • Mechina Programs – Minhal HaStudentim 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. Please note that the Minhal HaStudentim pays half of this amount in installments throughout the first year and the second half after graduation.
• The Minhal HaStudentim does NOT fund:
  
  • Dormitories or living expenses
  • Repeating an undergraduate degree – with exception of studying law, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
  • Registration fees, psychometric and other entrance exams, social services, health insurance, campus security etc.
  • University or college registration fee
  • Security fees

Community Service/Volunteering

Students who receive financial assistance are required to participate in the Shachak – שח”ק – שירות חברתי קהילתי – community volunteer service program. By participating in this program, Olim students are able to give back to society and hasten their integration upon completion of their studies.

Shachak offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including working at Matnasim – מתנ”סים – community centers, hospitals, old age homes, emergency centers, schools, and more. The timeframe of the volunteer service is connected to the standard school year calendar.

Additional Conditions

• Students who receive any other government grant will not be able to receive the Minhal HaStudentim grant during the same academic year (such as the army grant). However you may be able to receive other scholarships that are not from the government.
• Students must study consecutively, but are entitled to a one year break during their academic studies and two years on completion of Mechinat Olim or TAKA.

Deadlines

• 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 more information about the application process, please click here

How to Apply

• PRE-ALIYAH
  • Before making Aliyah, check out the Minhal HaStudentim 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 Minhal HaStudentim:

Email: aceng@moia.gov.il

Telephone and WhatsApp: 073-3972510
Support is also provided for French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian speakers

• POST-ALIYAH
  • Watch this video by Minhal HaStudentim explaining the process of applying for the tuition benefit.
  • Login to your personal application page using your Teudat Zehut – תעודת זהות – Israeli ID number and upload the following documents:
  • Teudat Oleh – תעודת עולה – New Immigrant Benefits booklet and Teudat Zehut
  • For those entering undergraduate studies: original high school diploma and transcripts
  • For those entering graduate studies: original degree and university transcripts
  • Completion certificate from any additional studies (such as Ulpan, Mechinat Olim or Na’ale)
  • Record of army or national service, or exemption certificate (when relevant)

• Acceptance letter to an institution in Israel
  
  • For students studying at universities, you will need to provide an Ishur Gova Schar Limud – אישור גובה שכר לימוד Academic Financial Balance payment receipt and your bank account information

Higher Education Programs in English

The following website contains information regarding academic programs in English supported by Minhal HaStudentim in collaboration with various academic institutions in Israel. These programs include a full support system for Olim students and Hebrew language studies as part of the curriculum. Please note that there are also degree programs in French and Russian integrated with Ulpan.