From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Ben Gurion, Bar Ilan universities announce emergency grants for reservists
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleGavriel Fiske is a reporter at The Times of Israel
Enrolled students called up for reserve duty will receive a NIS 1,200 ($300) grant and a delay in paying rental fees if they were living in university dormitories, Ben Gurion University of the Negev announces.
The university also said it would provide assistance for students, faculty and staff who have been evacuated from their homes as a result of the Israel-Hamas war.
Yesterday, Bar-Ilan University announced grants of 1,000-5,000 NIS ($250-$1,250) for the more than 6,000 registered students who are now serving on the front lines. The grant is to be “applied towards housing and tuition, emotional support, and additional study hours during the academic year,” the university said in a statement.
The announcements come on the heels of a similar program initiated by Tel Aviv University a few days ago. Other major universities in Israel are expected to follow suit. Due to the massive call-up of IDF reserves, an estimated 30% of all university students, as well as many faculty and staff, are now doing IDF reserve duty in various capacities.
The start of the academic year for most institutes of higher education has been delayed to at least December 3, 2023.
The Times of Israel Community.