ABOUT



Frequently Asked Questions



Q: What is the Florida Israel Institute?
A: Check out our Mission Statement
Q: How can I contact the Florida Israel Institute?
A: Check out Contact
Q: Who is eligible to receive the out-of-state tuition exemption/waiver scholarship?
A: The Florida Israel Institute (FII) scholarship is primarily an academic scholarship. You do not have to be Jewish, but you DO have to be an Israeli citizen in order to qualify. Scholarships are awarded by the Institute on a competitive term-by-term basis. You must have an F-1 (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 follow the rules of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to keep your visa in good standing. You can study any subject as long as you are a degree-seeking student, working toward a degree or certificate. The maximum number of credits that any student may be awarded is 120 for undergraduate study, 30 for graduate study, and 18 for post-graduate study.
Q: What exactly is the Florida Israel Scholarship?
A: The FII 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 great deal of money, because in-state tuition is much less expensive than out-of-state tuition. The scholarship is only for State of Florida 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, while enhancing your education experience at the same time. This is a scholarship, not a loan. We will not ask for payment back. However, according to the law that created the scholarship, student must return to Israel within three years of completing their studies for at least as long as they held the scholarship.
Q: When should I apply for the out-of-state tuition scholarship?
A: The application windows are on the Homepage and Scholarship pages of this website.
Q: How can I learn more about colleges and universities in Florida?
A: On the Useful Information page of this website are links to all of the public State of Florida colleges and universities.
Q: Can I get academic credits for Hebrew as a foreign language?
A: Some Florida colleges and universities will give credits for Hebrew as a foreign language.
Q: Am I allowed to work as an Israeli international student?
A: International students, generally speaking, have limited possibilities to work in the United States while on a student visa. They are normally permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week through the employment office of their college or university. Permissions to work more or outside of the academic institution can be issued by the immigration services under specific conditions.



mission stateMENT



The Florida Israel Institute (FII) is a public organization that was created by the

Florida Legislature, and is administered jointly by Broward College (BC) and

Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Its primary purpose is to promote the development of enhanced governmental, economic, technological, cultural, educational, and social ties between the State of Florida and the State of Israel.


The mission is achieved through the formation of cooperative initiatives in research, academic development, student and faculty exchange, cultural exchange, and technical assistance between Florida and Israeli institutions of higher learning, as well as private sector commercial endeavors. The Institute acts as a facilitator forging collaborative efforts between Israel's world-renowned academic institutions and Israel's highly innovative hi-tech industry with Florida's higher education institutions and Florida industry in areas, essential to both states.


FII shall seek to co-sponsor visits from Israeli cultural artists, sponsor a monthly Israeli film series, invite Israeli faculty for academic collaboration, facilitate research initiatives, award legislature-approved tuition waivers, develop study abroad programs in Israel for State of Florida college and university students, and facilitate academic and other (e.g. business, technological) delegations to Israel.





FLORIDA ISRAEL INSTITUTE



www.floridaisrael.org