Pardes offers limited financial aid to students based on need, and does its utmost to ensure that no qualified student is turned away for financial reasons. Grants and interest-free loans for tuition and for living expense are available to eligible applicants. All students eligible for MASA funding (see below) are required to apply first to MASA before requesting financial aid from Pardes.

Pardes is a qualified institution for the deferment of U.S. Government students loans. You can request a loan deferment form from your loan provider.

Pardes' tuition structure reflects subsidies by generous donors who wish to support Jewish text study; student tuition fees cover less than a third of program costs.

MASA

The MASA program was established by the government of Israel and the Jewish Agency to enable Jewish young adults to participate in long term programs in Israel. MASA offers financial assistance in the form or automatic grants or needs based scholarships to eligible applicants.

To be eligible, applicants must be Jewish, between the ages of 21-30, and have not participated in a post high school long term (4 months or longer) program in Israel that began after September 1, 2004 (including study at an Israeli university). The amount of the award is affected by the length of the Israel program and by the country of origin of the applicant.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, eligible students from North America receive an automatic grant of $4500 for a 10 month program (9 month Pardes year program plus 1 month ulpan). The MASA grant is paid directly to Pardes and is applied to tuition.

Click here for full details of the 2010-2011 $1250 tuition offer.

Applicants who meet the criteria set by MASA (see MASA website) for a needs based scholarship receive $7500 for a 10 month program. Of that amount, up to $5250 may be applied to tuition (the remaining $500 of tuition must be paid for by the student). The balance will be paid out in monthly installments by Pardes to the student to assist with living expenses.

Applicants not from North America should check the MASA website to determine the amount of the award for their country.

Click here for the MASA website.

Tuition Grants from Pardes

These grants are ONLY available to those students who are paying tuition (i.e. if tuition is not covered by MASA). Students may apply for one of the specific grants listed below, or for a general grant or interest-free loan. To be considered for any tuition assistance, students must submit a Financial Aid Form.

Pardes Grant for Hillel Scholars
One selected student leader/scholar per campus is eligible for a $2,000 tuition grant in the year program. To be eligible you must have participated in Hillel no more than 3 years ago. Applicants for the grant must be recommended by a Hillel Executive Director, although the final decision rests with Pardes.

Pardes Grant for Hillel Professionals and JCSC Fellows
Hillel professionals and JCSC Fellows are eligible for a $2,000 tuition grant towards the year program tuition. To be eligible you must have been employed by Hillel no more than 3 years ago.

Pardes Grant for Jewish Communal Professionals
Jewish Communal Professionals who are currently employed full-time are eligible for a $2,000 tuition grant for the year program.

Pardes Grant for Rabbinical Students and Spouses
Students at recognized rabbinical schools, and/or their spouses, are eligible for a $2,000 tuition grant for the year program.

Israel Program Alumni
Past participants of birthright Israel, Livnot and Otzma are eligible for a 10% tuition scholarship.

BCI Alumni
Past participants of Brandeis Collegiate Institute are eligible for a 10% tuition scholarship.

UK Residents
For those people who have participated in Limmud UK, Pardes is offering a limited number of scholarships of up to £1000.

Students of Vanderbilt and Emory Universities
The Werthan/Blum Fellowships for Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies are offered to graduating seniors and graduate students at Vanderbilt and Emory Universities.

Students of University of Miami or University of Florida (Gainesville)
The Russell Memorial Foundation Fellowship is offered to a student or graduate of the University of Florida (Gainesville) or the University of Miami.

Students of Harvard University
The Moty Hornstein grant for study in the Pardes Year Program is available for one graduating senior or alum from Harvard University.

In addition to the scholarships listed above which are available exclusively to Pardes students, there are numerous other sources of funding for study in Israel. Contact the Pardes Registrar for a list of possible sources.