Student Authority Scholarship

Milgat Minhal HaStudentim

מלגת מנהל הסטודנטים

The Student Authority provides scholarships and support for Olim - עולים - new immigrants studying in Higher Education institutions in Israel. This guide covers eligibility, application deadlines, and assistance available for the academic year.

Who Is Eligible?

You must be one of the following:

• Oleh Chadash – עולה חדש – New Oleh
• Katin Chozer – קטין חוזר – Returning minor
• Ezrach Oleh – אזרח עולה – Child of Israelis

 

Timing Requirements

• Must begin studies within 36 months of receiving new Oleh status
• Military service, Sherut Leumi – שירות לאומי/אזרחי – National/Civic Service, and Hesder – הסדר – Combined Yeshiva/Army service (up to 4 years) do not count toward this time limit
• Special rules apply for Na’aleh graduates (contact Student Authority for additional details)

Age Limits

• Preparatory programs/BA/Practical engineering: Up to age 27
• MA/Career retraining: Up to age 30
• Academic students not continuing studies: Up to age 32
• Special Student Authority programs: Up to age 27 (BA) or 35 (MA)

Military Service Requirements

If you’re required to serve in the military but want to study first:

• You must obtain approval from Lishkat HaGiyus – לשכת הגיוס – Recruitment Office to postpone service
• You are required to present this approval before each school year (starting from end of first year of Aliyah)
• Ktinim Chozrim – קטינים חוזרים – Returning minors and and an Ezrach Oleh – אזרח עולה – Citizen Immigrant must register with the Lishkat HaGiyus upon arrival

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate Students

Need one of the following:

• Teudat Bagrut – תעודת בגרות – Israeli Matriculation Certificate
• Recognized foreign high school diploma
• Certificate from a recognized pre-academic preparatory course in Israel
• Open University students (without a matriculation certificate/high school diploma) must successfully complete at least 18 credits (excluding English courses) before becoming eligible to receive financial assistance

 

Graduate Students

Must present a recognized bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree eligibility certificate

Previous Studies Restrictions

If you already have a Bachelor’s Degree (BA), you are generally not eligible for funding of another BA, except:

• Students from countries requiring a preliminary BA for their chosen field in Israel (e.g., US students wanting to study law)
• Students pursuing another BA in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
• Students who completed a BA with Student Authority assistance and were accepted to a four-year medicine program
•  

If you already have a Master’s Degree (MA/MS), you are generally not eligible for funding for another MA, except:

• Students with a foreign MA approved by the Exceptions Committee for professional integration
• Students with a “Specialist” or “Master 1” degree

Approved Institutions and Programs

• 170+ higher education institutions are approved by the Minhal LeStudentim Olim – מינהל לסטודנטים עולים – Olim Student Authority
• Recognition depends on government authority approval
• Check with the Minhal before registering in a school to confirm that it is recognized

Recognized Study Areas

• Undergraduate studies
• Postgraduate studies
• Non-academic degrees: practical engineering, arts certificates, complementary medicine certificates, certified nurses, certified teachers (ultra-Orthodox sector)
• Certificate studies/conversion for degree holders

Available Assistance

Financial Support

• Tuition scholarships (up to 100% annually)
• Pre-academic programs (Mechina/TAKA/Summer Ulpan)
• Hebrew and English courses (compulsory as part of degree)
• YAEL test preparation (Hebrew proficiency exam)
• Government test fees for practical engineering students

 

Additional Support

• Pre-Aliyah consultation and guidance about academic programs in English
• Academic advice, assistance and tutoring
• Personal and social counseling
• Social activities and trips

Application Deadlines

First Semester Students

• New students: Until November 10th
• Continuing students: Until October 1st

 

Second Semester Students

• All students: Until April 1st
• Summer Semester Students

 

All students: Until August 15th

Note: These dates are permanent and remain the same every year

How to Apply

• Check eligibility according to the Minhal LeStudentim requirements
• Complete application in Hebrew or English only
• Scan and upload all required documents•
• Submit online before the deadline
• Reapply annually for each new school year

Important: You must be physically present in Israel during your studies to receive assistance, even if remote learning is available.

Maintaining Your Scholarship

In order to maintain your scholarship, you must:

• Submit an online application each academic year/semester
• Attend a mandatory meeting with Student Authority counselor during the first year
• Maintain a minimum 60 grade point average and graduate to the next grade
• Be continuously enrolled in the school (see exceptions below)

Hebrew Language Requirement

Non-Hebrew speakers must complete a recognized Hebrew course by the start of the second academic year, unless you are:

• A discharged soldier or after Sherut Leumi Ezrachi (after at least one year of service)
• A TAKA or Mechinat Olim graduate
• An Israeli matriculation certificate holder
• Someone who took the psychometric exam in Hebrew
• Someone who passed an internal university/college Hebrew exam showing basic Hebrew level skills

Permitted Study Interruptions

• Up to 2 academic years interruption allowed during entire eligibility period
• Must notify the Minhal in writing within 2 weeks of stopping studies
• Failure to notify may result in debt registration and termination of assistance

Scholarship Amount and Limitations

Coverage

• Full years of study according to curriculum (100% per full year)
• The number of years is determined by the academic program length
• Full eligibility requires volunteering in the Shachak Community Social Service program
• Additional year of assistance available for someone who needs to complete additional courses in order to be accepted to a Masters program

 

What’s Not Covered

• Extra fees (security, library, student association etc.)
• Amounts above standard government rates (you pay the difference)
• Retroactive assistance

Double Assistance Rules

You cannot simultaneously receive:

• Minhal HaStudentim scholarship + other government agency scholarship
• Minhal HaStudentim scholarship + HaKeren Lechayalim Meshuchrarim – הקרן לחיילים משוחררים – Released Veterans Law funding during the same year

 

Special Cases:

• Mechina studies: You can apply to the Minhal if not eligible for the Keren Lechayalim Meshuchrarim Fund
• First year periphery studies: You can get Minhal assistance from second year
• Sherut Leumi students after one year of service and are learning in an academic institution in the periphery are eligible for Minhal assistance for their first year

Important Notes

• Government assistance is subject to annual budget approval
• No funding for repeated courses or failed semesters
• You can reapply for assistance after successfully completing one semester
• Tuition overpayment reimbursement is potentially available once you complete your studies. It is recommended to check with the Minhal when you need to apply by.

Contact Information

For additional information you can contact your local Student Authority district office or your Ministry of Aliyah and Integration counselor.