OTZMA TUITION

OTZMA costs $13,000 for one participant. This includes housing, health insurance, educational seminars, and trips. Most participants pay far less however. Upon acceptance to the program, many local Jewish federations will subsidize $3,000, reducing the participant cost to $10,000. MASA (see more details below) offers grants of $4,500 to all eligible OTZMA participants, therefore reducing the participant's responsibility to $5,500.

* Please note that if you are unable to receive grants or subsidies, participants are responsible for supporting their tuition.

See below for further scholarship opportunities.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

All OTZMA participants received financial assistance through their federation, synagogues/community organizations or MASA during the 2008-2009 year.

Listed below is places OTZMA participants have found funding in the past.

• MASA: MASA is a joint initiative by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel. A flat amount of $4,500 is awarded to all OTZMA participants who submit an application. Please go to www.masaisrael.org to learn more and download the application.
  
  
• Your local Jewish Federation and/or the Jewish Endowment Fund Foundation: The Jewish Federation of each city is the fundraising and allocations body of the local Jewish community. While all of you have already received a large fellowship of $3000 from your local Jewish Federations, there may be additional funding sources through the Federation of which you are unaware. Make sure to speak to your local OTZMA coordinator about additional scholarships as well as other professionals or lay leaders in the community.
  
  
• Your local synagogue: Many synagogues provide funding for Jewish youth to visit Israel. Even if there isn’t a specific fund, many synagogues have a “Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund” where your Rabbi may choose to spend a portion of his/her donated funds. Even if you have not been an active member of the synagogue, it is a good idea to speak with your Rabbi about your desire to participate on OTZMA.
  
  
• The Helyn B. Reich Memorial Scholarship
  The Helyn B. Reich Memorial Scholarship Fund is run through the American Zionist Movement. Scholarships are awarded to a few participants who participate on WUJS-Arad, Israel Career Experience or OTZMA programs. The committee is seeking outstanding candidates who have shown commitment to Israel in the past, and whose resumes and essays show how their participation in the program will advance their abilities to strengthen Israel and better serve the Jewish and Zionist community. For more information about the scholarship, please call the AZM main office at (212) 318-6100 or go to http://azm.org/hbr_about.shtml.
  
  
• Hillel: Asking your local Hillel is another option when it comes to finding money to get to Israel. On most campuses, Hillel is a place on campus where Jewish students are able to express and develop their Jewish identity. Inquiring through the Hillel Director, Program Director, or JCSC Fellow are probably your best bets in finding money to go to Israel.
  
  
• The Bureau of Jewish Education: While their main mission is to prvide resources for Jewish Education, because OTZMA is a Jewish learning experience, the BJE is a good place to look for additional funding. Most cities have a local BJE and you can ask your OTZMA local contact for their information.
  
  
• Jewish organizations and agencies in your hometown: Hadassah, B’nai B’rith lodges, Jewish Women International (formally B’nai B’rith Women), Temple/Synagogue men’s clubs/sisterhoods -- all of them care about the Jewish community! They are often able/willing to only cover a small portion of your costs, take advantage of their hospitality. Especially look towards agencies where your family or family friends belong. If no one you know belongs, do not worry, they may still want to help — that’s the beauty of the community.
  
  
• Your Fraternity/Sorority: If you are involved in the Greek system and your Fraternity/Sorority happens to be traditionally Jewish on a national scale, your national offices may be interested in sponsoring you on your trip to Israel. Be sure to emphasize that the OTZMA Fellowship is renown for developing Jewish leaders and that your participation on the trip will improve your abilities as a Greek leader.
  
  
• University Study Abroad Office: Study Abroad offices often have information on scholarships that are available through a wide variety of agencies, academic departments, and businesses. It would be in your best interest to set up a meeting with a counselor in the Study Abroad Office to find out what scholarships are available to students traveling to Israel.
  
  
• University Academic Departments: It doesn’t hurt to ask specific academic departments on campus (i.e. Judaic studies, political science, history, religion, business) about potential scholarships for experiential learning programs in Israel. While it depends on the university, many academic departments have money set aside for faculty or students to attend programs.
  
  
• Hebrew Free Loan Society: For interest free loans. You must apply in person while in the U.S. but can often receive significant funds which can be paid back free of interest.