IDF Promotes Education through Scholarships

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel Defense Forces combat soldiers will be eligible for full scholarships at universities or professional schools upon completion of their compulsory military service.

But IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot wants every soldier to be eligible for scholarships, a message he recently discussed with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, who's also in favor of the program, Israel's YNet news reported.

Most Israeli youth enter the military right after high school graduation so undergraduate studies begin when they're discharged, though they receive state-of-the-art, job-specific training while in the IDF.

According to the report, funding will come primarily from the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers and organizations with Friends of the IDF. The IDF will also contribute to the scholarship funds through a program it's establishing and the soldiers themselves will contribute approximately one-third of the tuition using funds the Defense Ministry helps them accrue.

Additionally, minorities, low-income families and new immigrants will be eligible for scholarships whether or not they served in combat battalions.

The IDF has put the scholarship program at the top of its priorities.