The Julie and Ed Levy Jr. Endowed Fund for Scholarships for Student Leaders Studying in Israel offers scholarships for academic study in Israel and for enrichment activities for students at MSU before, during, or after study in Israel.

The Levy Scholarship for Study in Israel is available to students who meet the following criteria:

• enrolled at MSU and have completed at least one year of successful study prior to participation
• minimum grade point average of 2.5
• demonstrated leadership skills or showed evidence of leadership potential
• presented a purposeful plan of study in Israel

Jewish and non-Jewish students are eligible for Levy Scholarships.

Applicants must submit a letter to the Director of the Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel: 619 Red Cedar Road, C730 Wells Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, addressing the criteria stated above. Each application should include up-to-date contact information–name, local address, permanent address, phone numbers, and e-mail address. The letter should describe the student’s academic program and record at MSU, provide evidence of student leadership skill or potential, and briefly state why the student seeks to study in Israel. Each student should also submit a university transcript, faculty letter of recommendation, and brief plan of study, which identifies which university or program and what kinds of courses.

Scholarships will be $3,000 for summer, $4,500 for a semester, and $5,000 for an academic year, applicable to tuition, room and board, or travel expenses. Applications are normally due by March 15 each year for summer study, fall semester or annual academic year study in Israel. Applications are due October 15 each year for spring semester study during the following year in Israel.

The number of Levy scholarships distributed annually depends on the amounts of the awards and the income that is available from the Levy Fund each year. As many as a dozen scholarships may be awarded annually by Jewish Studies and the Levy Scholarship Committee, which administer the scholarships.

Funds may also be used for enrichment programming before scholarship recipients’ study abroad, during their study in Israel, and also after scholars return. If any student withdraws from study in Israel for any reason (voluntary or involuntary), the award will be withdrawn.

Recipients of Levy Scholarships are expected to express acceptance in writing within six weeks of notification to the Director of the Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel. The Director will report annual scholarships to the donor.

Recipients of Levy Scholarships are also expected to submit a brief written statement on their experiences studying in Israel on their return. These statements will help promote the Levy Scholarships and study in Israel on campus.

*The LEVY SCHOLARSHIP may be used for internships

For additional details about the Levy Scholarship, contact Yael Aronoff, Director, the Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel at 517-432.3493 or 517-884-7054; e-mail aronoffy@msu.edu