• What is the Florida-Israel Institute?
Click on 'mission'
• How can I contact the Florida-Israel Institute?
By mail: Florida-Israel Institute
2912 College Avenue, LA Building Room 205
Davie, Florida 33314
By phone: (954) 236-1056
By Fax: (954) 236-1059
By E-mail: FloridaIsrael@fau.edu
• Can I use Florida-Israel institute's services without being an Israeli student?
Of course! You don't have to be a student to use our services. We have programs for business, education, and culture. You can contact us if you want to be added to our distribution list. We also serve as a clearinghouse. If we can’t help you, we will try to direct you to someone who can.
• Who is eligible to receive the out-of-state tuition waiver Scholarship?
The Florida-Israel Institute scholarship is primarily an academic scholarship. You do not have to be Jewish. But you DO have to be an Israeli citizen to qualify. Scholarship awards are determined by the Institute on a competitive basis. You must have an F-1 (student) or prospective student visa or, in some cases, a J-1 or H-1 may be considered. It will be your responsibility to obtain your visa and to follow the rules of the U.S. immigration and naturalization service.
You can study any subject so long as you are working toward a degree or certificate. The maximum number of credits that any student may receive is 120 for undergraduate study, 30 for graduate study and 18 for post-graduate study.
• What is exactly the Florida-Israel Scholarship?
Our scholarship is an “out of state tuition exemption” scholarship, not cash money. It allows you to pay for at least part of your credits as if you are a resident of Florida. It can SAVE you a lot of money because in-state tuition is much less expensive than out-of-state tuition. The scholarship is only for public colleges and universities. It is sponsored by the State of Florida to promote Florida-Israel friendship, business, education, and culture. In addition to earning good grades, we want you to become involved in school and community life. That way, you help us achieve the goal of developing Florida-Israel relations and we think that it will enhance your experience, as well.
This is a scholarship, not a loan. We will not ask for payment back. However, according to the law that created the scholarship, students must return to Israel within three years of completing their studies for at least as long as they held the scholarship.
• When should I apply for the out-of-state tuition waiver Scholarship?
From academic year 2004-2005 we have changed the deadlines to apply. Deadlines to apply for the scholarship were generally July 10 for Fall, November 10 for Winter/Spring and March 10 for summer. However, since the scholarship is now yearly for both fall and spring, students who received an award for fall should submit the renewal application for spring along with an unofficial copy of their transcript after the grades for fall are posted. Only after doing so, they will get their award letter for spring. Please contact us if you have any questions and ask to speak to Nancy Rosen.
• I am an Israeli citizen who is considering to study in Florida as an international student. Can you give me some tips?
As common as that question is, every situation is unique. In order to help with the process of becoming students in Florida, we have provided some tips that are common to most students.
Once you decide that you wish to study in Florida, the first step is to decide on the college or university you want to attend. Take into consideration that the Florida-Israel Institute scholarship is for public universities and colleges within the state of Florida only. More info on the universities and colleges in Florida can be found here.
After you have made your university/college decision as well as a decision on when to start your studies, you need to contact the school’s office of admissions and start working on your application and international student visa. Different universities request different documents in order to complete the application process. You can usually find their specific requirements through their website.
Information on academics within the US can also be found in Israel at the US-Israel Education Foundation. Arona Moskowitz, Coordinator of Student Advising, is located at: Migdalor Building, 1 Ben Yehudah Street (corner of Allenby Street), Tel Aviv 61162. Tel. 3-517-2131, Fax 3-516-2016. Some requirements that are common to all colleges/universities in Florida are:
- An application fee
- Original high school diploma (‘bagrut’). Some colleges/universities require it to be translated to English by an independent evaluation service.
- Translated transcripts from former higher education institutes you have attended along with the original documents.
- Financial statement. This statement should prove that you have funds to support your studies. A sponsor/s (which can be family members or anyone who is willing to support you) should usually present a bank letter showing specific sources of financial support.
- Proof of English Proficiency. Some (but not all) colleges require that you take the TOEFL exam (English as a second language). Usually the minimum score of 500 is requested. Others require internal English Proficiency exams.
- SAT or ACT exam scores are requested by most universities, but rarely requested by Community Colleges.
- Proof of health insurance and proof of immunizations (for more details contact the University).
Your college or university may have other requirements.
Each university/college has an international office of admission or at least an international student admission coordinator you can contact to receive more information.
Following your acceptance, the university/college will issue you an I-20 form and a letter of acceptance. Once you get these, you should submit them to the US Embassy in Israel to apply for a student visa. The Embassy’s address is: 71 Hayarkon street, Tel Aviv 63903, Israel. Tel: (972) 03-519-7575. What to provide with your student visa application can be seen here. Some documents included are: an application fee, the I-20 form, proof of financial resources, a valid passport, as well as one 2x2 photograph. The Embassy may have other requirements. For more details, contact the Embassy or visit their webpage.
After the Embassy issues you a student visa, send a copy to FLORIDA-ISRAEL INSTITUTE if you are applying for a scholarship (more details may be found in our scholarship section). You can send your scholarship application before you get your student visa, but your application will not be complete without it. Regarding help with finding an apartment or Israeli connections, you can try and use our bulletin board as it appears here.
• How can I learn more about colleges and universities in Florida?
Click on 'Links of interest'
• Can I join other Israeli organizations?
Of course! Once joining the Florida-Israel Institute, You will be invited to join the Israeli Students’ Organization (ISO, Kahol-Lavan b’Campus), Students for Israel (SFI) at PBCC and FAU, and the Florida-Israel Institute Alumni Association. The Israeli Consulate also coordinates activities through their “Ha’Bait Ha’Yisraeli.” We will help you make connections once you are situated in Florida.
• Is there any organization in Israel that can help me plan my studies in Florida?
In Israel, help with your plans to study in the USA is available at the US-Israel Education Foundation where Arona Moskowitz is Coordinator of Student Advising: Migdalor Building, 1 Ben Yehudah Street (corner of Allenby Street), Tel Aviv 61162
Tel. 3-517-2131, Fax 3-516-2016 Adviser@fulbright.org.il or their website here.
• What are Florida-Israel Institute’s goals?
Click on 'mission' and scroll down.
• What services does the Florida-Israel Institute provide?
Click on 'mission' and scroll down.
• Are there any other linkages Institutes at Florida?
Click on 'Linkage Institutes'
• Can I get academic credits for Hebrew as a Foreign Language?
Some Florida Universities and Colleges will give credits for Hebrew as a Foreign Language. For example, at Broward Comunity College (BCC) as of May 2005, in order to receieve these credits you can contact Camille Keating of the Communications and Modern Foreign Language Department at the Central Campus at 954-201-6558. She will then contact Professor David Grad who administers the exam. The cost is around $28 per exam.
• Am I allowed to work as an Israeli Student?
International students, generally speaking, have limited possibilities to work in the US. They are usually allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hrs a week through the employment office of their college/university. Permissions to work more or outside the academic institution can be issued by the Immigration services in specific occasions.
Are there work positions available at the Florida-Israel Institute?
In order to find out, you will need to contact us and ask. Our organization employs a few students for administrative positions. The work is semester-based and is processed through the FAU's employment office.
Students usually work part-time (up to 20 hrs a week).
