Where Academics Meets Life
Students: Scholarships, Support & Student Life
Bar-Ilan University鈥檚 (BIU) diverse student body reflects the rich mosaic of Israeli society: from religious to secular, from Jewish to Arab, from native Israeli to born abroad, from living on campus to balancing military service with studies. Many face financial hardship and learning challenges. Without robust support systems, even the brightest minds risk falling behind.
BIU provides over 2,000 scholarships annually鈥攂ased on merit, need, and impact. At an annual cost of just under $1M, this would not be possible without the support of our donors. Due to their generosity, the university ensures access to vital services such as tutoring, mentoring, psychological counseling, and assistance for students from diverse backgrounds, including new immigrants and reservists returning from military duty.
Beyond academics, BIU fosters a vibrant campus experience, offering cultural events, holiday celebrations, and social activities that build a sense of belonging. These experiences are essential in shaping well-rounded leaders who will contribute meaningfully to Israel and the world.
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When you support Bar-Ilan University, you’re not just making a donation 鈥 you’re making a difference. Your gift provides critical resources for students navigating extraordinary challenges while pursuing their dreams. Make your impact today.
Immediate Needs
In times of unprecedented challenge, Bar-Ilan University remains committed to ensuring every student’s academic journey continues uninterrupted.
Emergency Scholarships
The current crisis has created unprecedented financial strain on our student body. Reservists and displaced students from border communities face extraordinary challenges, from suspended incomes to unexpected relocation costs. We urgently need to expand our emergency scholarship fund to ensure these students can continue their education despite these extraordinary circumstances.
AI Tutoring and Resilience Support
BIU is one of the first universities to introduce an AI-based learning assistant or AI tutors 鈥 a lifeline for students in crisis. This groundbreaking tool doesn鈥檛 just offer access to missed lessons; it offers hope. It connects students to a personal tutor who is available to guide them whenever they need it. If they fall behind due to missed classes, the AI assistant pulls from lectures, presentations, exams, and assignments, helping them catch up without skipping a beat. To meet growing demand, we must scale this AI tutoring program while enhancing it with human-led resilience training. This combined approach helps students maintain academic progress while managing their challenging dual responsibilities.
Enhanced Accessibility Services
BIU鈥檚 diverse student body requires a comprehensive accessibility infrastructure that serves all learning needs. The university is expanding its support services with advanced assistive technologies, enhanced language support, and modified learning materials. its professional support staff provides specialized assistance while ensuring physical campus accessibility meets the needs of all students. These comprehensive improvements ensure every student has an equal opportunity to succeed in their academic journey.
For two consecutive school years, Ofir Aharoni started the semester not on campus but rather in the IDF reserves. Yet the BIU student in mathematics and economics affirms that she 鈥渉onestly couldn鈥檛 imagine a better university for reservists. I feel like the campus really has my back,鈥 Ofir says. 鈥淓veryone tells me, 鈥楾ake your time, don鈥檛 worry. When your reserve duty is over, come to campus and we鈥檒l work everything out.鈥 And I know we will, because that鈥檚 what happened last year.鈥
Your Generosity In Action
The true measure of our support system lies in the stories of those we serve. Through these personal accounts, discover how Bar-Ilan University’s comprehensive approach to student success helps transform obstacles into opportunities and dreams into reality.
Where Empathy Meets Instruction
Linda Zamir, then a third-year biology student, had a difficult time physically returning to campus and even opening a notebook after October 7th. Nonetheless, the BIU faculty stepped in to help her navigate the completion of her undergraduate degree. 鈥淭he lecturers were empathetic and indeed made it easier for us, whether it was helping us download materials or making lectures accessible in Zoom,鈥 she says.
Where Pressure Meets Relief
On the morning of October 7th, quantum engineering student Jonathan Hamelsdorf instantly realized the world had changed. As a reservist paratrooper, he has served two tours in Gaza and one in Lebanon. As Jonathan鈥檚 reserve duty has significantly overlapped with his BIU exams, he has experienced continued academic pressure since October 7th. But the university has guided him through the challenges with its 鈥減ersonal approach and a genuine willingness to help as much as possible.鈥
Where Challenge Meets Opportunity
During fighting in Lebanon, Noam Frei鈥檚 platoon was struck by a UAV, killing one and seriously injuring four others. Noam rushed to apply a tourniquet to the arms of one of his soldiers whose hands were almost completely severed, in a move that doctors credit as having 鈥渦nequivocally saved his life.鈥 This experience has inspired him to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in a field combining electrical engineering with brain research to advance the world of medicine and enable him to continue saving lives.
Impacting Tomorrow, Today
Your gift creates immediate impact for students facing unprecedented challenges. Every donation, whether $180 or $1,800, helps ensure that crisis doesn’t derail education. You can make a difference right now
Need for Specialized
Academic Support
- AI Tutoring programs
- Reservist trauma support
- Specialized support and academic planning for reservists
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Transform Potential Into Achievement
Every dollar helps students like Linda, Jonathan, and Noam overcome barriers and reshape Israel鈥檚 future.