Hillel was founded on 1991 and ever since helps Yotzim (Ex-haredi) who grew up in the ultra orthodox world. The association helps Yotzim, who are lack of basic education and social skills, to acquire education and to integrate in the modern state of Israel. It is the 15th year that the association grants scholarships. Until today 3 million Shekels were granted to more than 400 Yotzim.
The Scholarship Program is highly important project in the ensemble of the association's programs.
The purpose of the program is to promise that matriculation certificate and academic studies will be in a reach of hand for the Yotzim. The Yotzim find it hard to study while they work for their living. Each financial difficulty, even the smallest one, can put an end to their studies. With the help of Hillel in granting scholarships to the Yotzim, they are able to finish their studies and to find a job which fits their skills.
From Matriculation Certificate to B.A.
Education is the key to the successful adjustment of our newcomers. That is why we devote so much time and funding to the problems that arise from the huge educational gaps that ex-haredi young adults must make up when they join modern society.
Hillel provides generous scholarship assistance throughout the process of acquiring a modern education, from the beginning of the Matriculation Certificate/תעודת בגרות (high school equivalency) until the final year of B.A. studies or professional training.
Background
Haredi Yeshiva student reaches the age of 18 with knowledge in mathematics equivalent to a pupil in forth grade. Moreover, he hasn't any knowledge in english, sciences, history, geography, literature, civics, biology or economies. He is lack of the professional, academic and social skills required in his new world in the modern state of Israel.
The Goal of the Scholarship Fund
The goal of the Scholarship Fund is to insure that completion of high school studies, of university education and of professional training are all possible financially for our young members.
The scholastic accomplishments of our newcomers are impressive. They rapidly acquire the education they need for professional careers and an independent life. But without the scholarship help of Hillel most of them would not be able to devote sufficient time to their studies, or even to study at all.
We are committed to supporting our newcomers in this critical program.
The Costs of Education
Tuition fees in Israeli educational institutions can be summarized as follows:
|
Degree |
Length of Program |
Tuition/year (NIS) |
|
Matriculation Certificate
|
2 years |
11,000 |
|
B.A. Degree
|
3 years |
11,000 |
|
Professional Training
|
6 months to 3 years
|
11,000-15,000 |
For the B.A. degree or its equivalent, or for vocational training, the full cost of tuition is borne by the student. To this they must add the other expenses of their austere lives, a monthly minimum of NIS 2,500. Their jobs rarely bring in more than NIS 2,500/month. From these figures it is clear that the cost of education is a heavy burden for them, one they usually cannot assume without going into serious or even impossible debt. Their haredi families (often in dire need themselves) almost always refuse them any moral or material support.
Our Role
Our scholarships are intended to pay all or most of the tuition charges, or to provide supplementary grants where other subsidies (government allowances for completion of the Matriculation Certificate) are available.
For all our young people it is a daily struggle to balance their studies with whatever employment they can find, a situation which invariably restricts the time they can spend on education.
For a large part of our twelve year history Hillel had few resources with which to support scholarship aid. In recent years the situation has changed dramatically:
|
Total Scholarships Awarded (NIS) |
# of Scholarships Awarded |
Year |
|
30,000 |
12 |
1998 |
|
60,000 |
17 |
1999 |
|
190,000 |
29 |
2000 |
|
200,000 |
26 |
2001 |
|
180,000 |
28 |
2002 |
|
380,000 |
53 |
2003 |
|
420,000 |
65 |
2004 |
|
420,000 |
60 |
2005 |
|
425,000 |
60 |
2006 |
|
500,000 |
76 |
2007 |
|
500,000 |
55 |
2008 |
|
396,000 |
61 |
2009 |
|
436,000 |
69 |
2010 |
Until today Hillel distributed 4 Million Nis more about 611 Ex-haredim for their studies.
Amongst the recipients there are many excellent students. Hillel graduates find jobs within their experties domaain.
See September 2008 Scholarship granting
The Application Process
Applicants for scholarships must fill out and application form. Suitable candidates are then invited to a personal interview with the scholarship committee.
There are three criteria for Hillel scholarships:
- Membership in Hillel for at least one year
- Study in an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education, the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
- Active participation in Hillel activities (Moadon Hillel, Shabbat meals, trips, etc.)
Scholarships are given in three payments and we monitor the progress of all scholarship recipients
The Future of the Fund
The challenge now is to make sure that this program can expand to meet the needs of our present students and the new ones who arrive all the time. A look at the previous Table will show that the number of students doubled in 2003 and increased further in 2004. We expect the numbers rise in coming years. It would be cruel indeed if our recipients were to start of course of study only to find that after one year or two they are forced to leave because adequate aid is unavailable.
We are planning to expand the number of scholarships and the size of the stipends; obviously this will require a considerable increase in our resources.
We are privileged to have several endowed scholarships given by generous donors in memory of beloved family members.
Please help us provide for the future of our young members by contributing to the Scholarship Fund!
.
Donations to Hillel are welcome with great appreciation.
see:
1. Granting scholarships 2007-2008
2. Newly secular receive scholarships
Article Published in Ynet news, September 2007
