Financial hardship caused by the corona crisis comes with a real fear that many students will be unable to continue their studies. BGU announced this morning that, in collaboration with the Student Union, it will provide NIS 18 million to students who have been financially affected by the crisis.
The sum of NIS 18 million in grants is unprecedented in Israeli academia and is made possible by the campaign launched by BGU two weeks ago. Under the title “Save the Class of COVID-19", the University administration and its associate organizations around the world have called on its friends and supporters and on all those who support higher education in Israel to donate, so that students can continue their studies at BGU.
So far, about half the necessary amount has been raised.
The ambitious campaign was explained by BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz in simple terms: “BGU's students ensure the scientific, financial and technological future of Israel in general, and constitute a central part in the Negev's development specifically. Because of the current crisis, there is a fear that students in the “Class of COVID-19" will find it difficult to continue their studies as planned and we have to make every effort to ensure that no-one is left behind."
Every student who received a financial hardship scholarship during the 2019-2020 academic year will be automatically entitled to an additional scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year and will not have to reapply. In addition, over the coming days the University's Dean of Students will contact all those expected to study over the 2020-2021 academic year, to encourage them to apply for financial aid.
The funds raised are in addition to the aid fund already established by the University and the Student Union. In April and May, NIS 800,000 was distributed to students who encountered financial difficulties because of the virus.
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