gap year in israel

2022-2023

Year of Service Tuition

2023-2024

Year Program (Sept – May): $15,000
Fall Semester Program (Sept – Dec): $8,700
Spring Semester Program (Jan – May): $8,950
Spring Plus Program (Jan – Aug): $9,950
Year Plus Program (Sept – Aug, or Jan- Dec): $15,500


Portland State University Enrollment – $1000 per semester
*This fee enables students to enroll in their Aardvark Israel courses for university credit.


** Plus Program – Includes 2 months in the USA in addition to Israel. The tuition includes round-trip flight (TLV-NYC), insurance, NYC and DC trips, J1 visa to the USA, and placement services at camp. Participants are paid $400 in exchange for working at summer camp.

Students may choose up to one trip per semester.
  • United Arab Emirates – $2,500
  • Czech Republic – $2,500
  • Spain – $2,500
  • Ethiopia – $2,500
  • Italy – $2,500
  • Germany – $2,500
  • Poland – $2,500
* Subject to change based on a minimum number of participants.
  • 2-Months in Africa:
    Uganda and Ghana: $4,000
  • 2-Months in USA:
    DC, NYC, Camp: $1,500
  • 2-Months on Kibbutz Harduf: $3,000

2024-2025

August-
Fall: $8,700
Year: $15,000

January-
Spring: $8,950
Year Plus (Israel portion of tuition): $15,000

  • 5-7 day Trips: Spain, UAE, Ethiopia, Italy, Poland: $2,500
  • 2-Week Cultural Exchange Programs: Nepal and Zambia: $3,000
  • 2-Months in Africa:
    Uganda and Ghana: $4,000
  • 2-Months in USA:
    DC, NYC, Camp: $1,500
  • 2-Months on Kibbutz Harduf: $3,000

Most participants are eligible for an automatic grant from Masa, which will be deducted from the cost of the program tuition. Scholarships are also available.

Payment Schedules

$100 Non-Refundable Application Fee – required upon registering for all programs.
September Programs
  • $100 Non-Refundable Application Fee – required upon registering
  • March 1 – Pay Deposit of $5,000 (refundable before June 1
  • July 1 – Balance of tuition due
  • A $500 late fee will be assessed for failure to submit tuition or a signed payment plan agreement by the July 1 deadline
January Programs
  • $100 Non-Refundable Application Fee – required upon registering
  • August 1 – Pay Deposit of $5,000 (refundable before November 1)
  • December 1 – Balance of tuition due
  • A $500 late fee will be assessed for failure to submit tuition or a signed payment plan agreement by the December 1 deadline

Cancellation Fees

September Programs

  • All tuition payments are fully refundable prior to June 1.
  • Between June 1 and July 15 a $1000 cancellation fee will apply.
  • After July 15 and prior to the start of the program, a $2500 cancellation fee will apply.
  • Tuition and fees are non-refundable once the program has begun.

January Programs

  • All tuition payments are fully refundable prior to August 1.
  • Between November 1 and December 15 a $1000 cancellation fee will apply.
  • After December 15 and prior to the start of the program, a $2500 cancellation fee will apply.
  • Tuition and fees are non-refundable once the program has begun.

Additional Details

Program price is fixed in US Dollars ($). The price of Masa Year of Service includes program tuition, housing, meals stipend, medical insurance, field trips, seminars, local transportation, and more. Round trip airfare to/from Israel is not included in the program tuition. Students are welcome to fly on the airline of their choice or purchase a ticket using frequent flier miles. The cost of any visas which may be required are also not included in the program tuition.

Ready to make Israel yours?