There are many financial aid opportunities to help defray the costs of a gap year program in Israel. First and foremost, we recommend speaking directly to the administration of the school or program you are considering. While this list can be a starting point to help you get to where you need to be, we strongly encourage research into additional local opportunities that may not be included here.
Scholarship Type |
Amount |
Deadline |
| NCSY Torah Fund | Varies | Open from February 15 – April 25, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year |
| Your Local NCSY Region | Varies | Please be in touch with your local NCSY director for more details |
| NCSY Ben Zakkai Honor Society | Varies | Please be in touch with your local NCSY director for more details |
| FAFSA
Students who participate in Joint Israel programs are recognized as a student attending the overseas program of a registered American college. Some of those programs include:
|
Varies |
2023–24 Academic Year The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2024. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 14, 2024. 2022–23 Academic Year The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2023. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 9, 2023. |
| American Jewish League for Israel
*For Bar Ilan Israel Experience only |
$4,000-$6,000 | TBA |
| Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies
The Israel Scholarship Committee of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies administers a limited amount of financial assistance for high school and college students to travel and study in Israel. In order to qualify, you need to be a student who lived and attended high school in Western New York. |
$1,000 – $3,000. | February 1, 2023 |
| GoAbroad.com | Comprehensive guide of general travel scholarship | Varies |
| $750-$1,500 | January 15, 2023 | |
| $2,500 towards tuition | All application materials must be received by February 28, 11:59pm, EST. There will be no exceptions. | |
| $400 towards airfare, $250 for returning students | 2 months before arrival in Israel | |
|
Every Federation in North America has its own policies on scholarship funding and the details can change from year to year. Please use this link to locate the Federation in your area. You must call their office to receive a scholarship, emails will not work. |
$250-$3,000 | Varies |
|
Jewish National Fund (JNF) You can help JNF and also help yourself by selling trees to be planted in Israel and earn money toward your Israel trip. 50% of what you raise through JNF can be used as a scholarship toward any trip to Israel. Start your own personal fundraising web page at www.jnf.org/pyw. |
Varies | When you complete your fundraising you can request the scholarship funds |
| Local Synagogues/Jewish Schools | Varies | Varies |
| MASA | $200+ | TBA |
| $500-$1,800 | March 12, 2023 | |
|
Nechomas Yisrael Call 718-851-0340 for more information. |
$600-$2,000 | Ongoing |
|
Oorah offers a significant scholarship to students affiliated with Oorah’s programs, The Zone campers, and Jewish public high school students. |
$3,500 towards tuition$100/mo spending money | TBA |
| 10 day trip to Israel. Flights and trip are free.
Free Airfare |
Ongoing | |
|
The S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program The S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program is a formal arrangement between Yeshiva University and more than 40 Israeli institutions for men and women in Israel. For students who wish to study in Israel, the program provides structure, guidance and assistance. YU’s Israel office maintains a full staff who visit schools regularly in order to assist all program participants and facilitate their seamless return to YU. Benefits:
|
$3,500 towards tuition$100/mo spending money | TBA |