Knesset passes bill to fully cover cost of degree for combat soldiers

Legislation to fully cover the costs of an academic degree for discharged combat soldiers is passed into law by the Knesset, by 17 votes to 0.

The law amends the “From Uniform to University” bill passed by the last Knesset, which covered 75 percent of the costs of higher education tuition for discharged soldiers.

The benefit is awarded to combat soldiers, as well as a few other special categories including lone soldiers, new immigrants and minorities.

The amended legislation means that a full scholarship for the entire sum of annual tuition fees will now be provided by the state for eligible soldiers, who will be able to take advantage of the benefit for up to five years after they finish their military service.

According to the principal authors of the bill — Likud MKs Ophir Katz and Eli Dalal, together with Yisrael Beytenu MK Sharon Nir and National Unity MK Michael Biton — it is designed to help discharged soldiers deal with the pressures of civilian life and increase their economic security.

The program was originally funded by private donors and intentionally left a self-funded portion of tuition fees in order to encourage commitment among scholarship recipients, leading to some criticism of the new version.