What is a Masa member?
Am I eligible for a Masa visa even though I am not eligible for a grant?
How do I get the Masa visa? Do I go to the Consulate, does the program get it for me or do I just turn up at the airport?
“The fee will be returned only if you complete your program in its entirety and only by request. Requests must be submitted within two months of completion of your program.”
The option to request your $50 application fee refund exists in the bottom right corner of the home screen on your Masa Portal account. It is removed automatically if either it is registered in our system that your participation was not completed in its entirety, or that it has been more than 2 months since the final day of your program. If either one of these problems is accurate for your situation, there is no way to undo this, and you are no longer eligible for the refund.
If:
You are within this criteria, and the button/option to request a refund does not exist on your portal account
OR
You left your program early due to Corona AND if it is within 2 months of the day you left your program and the button/option to request a refund does not exist on your portal account
Then email techsupport@masaisrael.org and attach your original receipt for the $50 deposit
Yes. Please open a request via your Masa portal.
If you left your program early due to Corona AND it is within 2 months of the day you left your program, and the button/option to request a refund does not exist on your portal account
When filling in the application form you will be asked to choose your program, please note All programs will be listed in the following format: 'Organization – Program name'. If the program is not on the list, please send us the program name and the date that you wish to come and we will be happy to assist.
Unfortunately according to Masa bylaws participation in a Masa program is up to the age of 31.
First, please make sure you have received an email with your login information. This email will be sent to the primary email address as entered on your application. When looking for this email, please consider the possibility that a parent’s email address was listed as the primary address instead of the participant’s, or vice versa. You will need to have received this email in order to gain access to your Masa Portal account, where you can see all of your Masa updates. These include funding approvals, application progress, Masa special events, etc. You can also make changes to your application through your portal. Changes include adding a second Masa program, changing programs, uploading relevant documents, and contacting Masa representatives.
The direct link to the portal login page is http://masa.force.com/Participants/login/. Your username is automatically generated as your first name (as you submitted it) dot the primary email you submitted in your application dot masa, for example: david.email@email.com.masa . If you are have trouble logging in, try first to reset the password; however, on occasion, this option does not work, and you can request assistance to reset your password at techsupport@masaisrael.org
The entry permit document is not involved with the approval process for financial aid, but it is required to receive it
Our founders, the government of Israel and the Jewish agency, have cut our budget due to the Corona crisis, so we had to adjust in a way that would enable as many participants as possible to have a meaningful experience.
We are actively seeking out new fundraising opportunities that close the gaps created by these budget cuts and match the increasing demand.
The Masa budget has been cut by the government of Israel and the Jewish agency due to the Corona crisis.
Jewish Studies participants from France Europe, South America, and Low-income countries will receive full funding.
Jewish Studies participants from UK, USA and Canada over the age of 22 will receive full funding.
Jewish Studies participants from UK, USA and Canada under the age of 22 – when applying for a Jewish Studies program, please check with your program organizer that the program is opening in collaboration with Masa, if so, once you register you are considered a Masa Member.
Participants from FSU when applying for a Jewish Studies program, please check with your program organizer that the program is opening in collaboration with Masa, if so, once you register you are considered a Masa Member.
Masa Members Can:
Receive a Masa visa and entry permit to Israel.
Receive a work visa extension for 6 months after program completion.
Participate in organized events for the Masa Community throughout the year where you will discover new interests, passions, and ideas.
Gain access to: exclusive networking events, Masa delegations, The Masa Global Leadership Summit & more.
Unfortunately, Masa is not able to reimburse you for your flight.
Your eligibility for a second program depends on the participation in your first program and the time between both programs.
If you spent less than 2 months in the first program, you are considered eligible for a full Masa program and will receive full funding.
If you spent over 2 months in your previous Masa program and there are less than 4 months between the end of the first program and the second, you are eligible for a second program, your Masa funding will be determined according to the duration of the program and will take into account the sum you received for your first program.
If there are over 4 months between the end of the first program and the second you are not eligible for an additional program.
We are sorry that you left your program early, and we hope that you managed to have a meaningful experience during the time you were here. Receiving a refund depends on the agreement you have with your program organizer, please check the contract you signed.
A Masa Member is an eligible Masa fellow (according to Masa bylaws) that does not receive funding, the reasons for not receiving funding can vary and it can be because they do not eligible according to the new grants model or because they registered late.
Fill out the Masa application form - https://www.tfaforms.com/4800926
Unfortunately, Masa cannot assist with visas for family members; the Masa visa is a unique service that Masa provides its participants.
If you did not receive Masa funding but are an eligible Masa fellow, you can receive a visa if you register as a Masa Member.
As the consulates are closed due to corona virus- the process is as follows:
Once you have registered and approximately two weeks prior to the start of your program, our organizer will receive an official entry permit for you via Masa.
To that entry permit, you need to attach your “participation approval” letter that you can find in portal under “my letters”.
Once you have arrived in Israel, your program organizer will assist you with the process of obtaining your Masa visa.
The process is as per usual via "Nativ" and the consulates.
The process is as follows:
Once you have registered and been approved in accordance with the law of return and approximately two weeks prior to the start of your program our organizer will receive an official entry permit for you via Masa.
Masa programs will ensure safe and comfortable 14-day quarantine conditions for all incoming Fellows. During quarantine, they will have an opportunity to stay engaged and active through virtual enrichment activities like orientations, Hebrew-language courses, and educational seminars. Some participants will also be able to begin their internships remotely.
We are working closely with the Israeli Government, the Jewish Agency and our program providers to ensure the safety of our community. Masa programs will ensure safe and comfortable 14-day quarantine conditions for all incoming Fellows. During quarantine, they will have an opportunity to stay engaged and active through virtual enrichment activities like orientations, Hebrew-language courses, and educational seminars. Some participants will also be able to begin their internships remotely.
We are in regular contact with our Masa fellows to share new public health information, regulations, and precautionary measures that need to be taken.
Corona permitting; the program will be running trips in Israel, in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations.
If you have come to this solution, it means you have either partially or successfully submitted your Masa application.
If you received an email that says you are ineligible after filling out a Masa application and you believe this is incorrect, you are required to submit proof this was, in fact, a mistake. If this was an error, please do not fill out another application. You must email the Grants and Scholarships Department to submit your proof.
Please submit a request to techsupport@masaisrael.org to find out who to email regarding this type of mistake.
Additionally, if you received no emails from Masa confirming the submission of your application, it could possibly mean your application was prevented from successful submission automatically, which can be for a variety of reasons, and you may submit an email to techsupport@masaisrael.org
Your first step will be to upload any missing forms.Once you have submitted your application and have access to your Masa Portal account, it is recommended you first visit this section. Along the row of tabs, second from the right is an option called "Tutorials" when you click on it, it will take you to a list of video tutorials regarding assistance with various subjects, such as "how to log in", "uploading the required documents", and "applying for an additional program".
The next step is to wait for your program to approve your participation. This may be very quick or take time; please be in contact with your program regarding this. You will see the approval on the bottom section of the main screen of your Portal account once they have approved it, and the next step is to upload your documents.
To re-clarify: you cannot see or upload any documents until the program approves your program participation.
Once they have approved you, you can upload documents. Along the top of your Masa Portal account, you will find several tabs you can click on. Click on "I Am Applying", second from the left, and then "Missing Documents" to see a list of the required documents we require from you due to your specific request. These documents are required to assess your financial aid request, EXCEPT for your entry permit document, which will be explained later. Additionally, along the row of tabs, second from the right is an option called "Tutorials. You may click on that and it will take you to a list of videos regarding assistance with various subjects, such as "how to log in", "uploading the required documents", and "applying for an additional program".
If you see in your portal that you applied to the wrong program, you must follow these steps:
First, if you applied to the wrong program, that should mean you successfully completed your application. You must first log into your newly created Portal account.
Second, contact the program you did apply to and request for them to change your participation status to "Cancelled" (instead of approving you).
Third, select from the options along the top, "Apply for a second program", and submit an application for your correctly desired program. You will not have to pay the $50 again if you paid it previously.
Needs Based Scholarship:If you are not applying for a Needs Based Scholarship, then you do not need to submit any of these documents. Your application is automatically a Masa Grant application, unless you are applying as a Masa Member.If you are applying for a Needs Based Scholarship, you can either apply as an independent or dependent.For both:Tax Return: This document is required for everyone who requests any financial aid from Masa. If you are applying as a dependent, it will be your guardians Tax Return, or if you are applying as an Independent, it will be you own Tax Return.For Dependent:Welfare Documents: This option appears automatically if you select that you are applying for a "Needs Based Scholarship", however you do not need to upload this. You only need to upload it if you/your family is receiving financial assistance from the government, and you want this data included into the Needs Based Scholarship assessment. The lack of uploading it does not prevent your financial aid request from being processed, so if you do not expect to need to upload it, then don't worry about it. Examples include: Child benefits (if applicable) Housing benefits (if applicable) Supplementary income (from any source) "Other" income (however you choose to define it)For Independent:
A notarized letter from your parent(s)/guardian(s) stating that they do not support you financially
(required if you are under the age of 25)
A copy of your lease/rental agreement for at least 6 month period prior to the start of your Israel
program (university/college campus housing is NOT acceptable)
Copies of official proof of your own gross income for at least 6 months prior to the start of your
Israel program in the form of at least 6 months of consecutive earnings statements (tax returns
and bank statements are NOT acceptable)
Entering Israel:The A2 Visa: The Ministry of Interior of the Government of Israel requires each Masa Israel Participant to possess a Masa A2 visa (Student Visa valid for up to one year) that specifies your current participation in a Masa Israel approved program. Your program is responsible for providing instructions, but you will need to print the Masa Approval PDF Document Letter in your portal. Additionally, your program will provide you with a letter from the government saying you are permitted to enter the country. These two documents are required in order to get into the country. You will get your visa within Israel after arrival. These individual documents that allow you to have the A2 Visa are explained further in-depth below.Entry Permission Letter: During the Corona times, this document will be required for you to come into Israel. Roughly about 2 weeks before your program starts, your program should email this to you, and you will need to print this out and take it with you on the flight so that you can show the hard copy when you land at the airport in Israel.Masa Participation Letter: During the Corona times, this document will be required for you to come into Israel. You must print this document. It will be available to you on your Portal account after your program approves your participation. It can be found by clicking on "My Letters" (top right corner of the home screen on your Portal account), then clicking on "Generate Letter", then clicking on "Masa Participation". You must print this out and take it with you on your flight so that you may submit the hard copy when you arrive at the airport in Israel.**If you do not print and take the above 2 letters with you on your flight, you will not be able to enter Israel
Entry Permit: This document is required for everyone, regardless of whether you requested financial aid or not. The entry permit is a small, rectangular card with a photograph of you that you’ll receive when you show your passport at the airport in Israel. It is a station every person must pass after disembarking from your flight, before you exit the airport. The entry permit is the size of a business card, but extremely essential, so please take good care of it.
Once you receive it, you should upload a picture of it ASAP to your portal under the list of missing documents. You can simply take a picture of it on your phone and submit this.
The entry permit document is not involved with the approval process for financial aid, but it is required that Masa receive it.
Once your program participation has been approved by your program and all your documents have been successfully submitted, the next step is for you to wait again. At this point, your financial aid request begins to be processed. This can be up to 2 weeks, but you will be notified by email when it is completed, and you can also view the status on your portal account.After your funding approval, you are ready to begin your Masa, and you wull begin to receive updates by mail regarding your upcoming program.
To re-clarify: In order for Masa to disperse your funding you must submit a copy of the entry permit into your Portal that you receive when entering Israel. You are obligated to upload the entry permit no later than the start date of your program in order to receive your funding. Please note that your Grant will be transferred directly to and credited towards your program cost. We know the Grant does not cover the full cost of your program - the remaining balance of your program fees is your responsibility.
When you come a participant (which begins the first day of your program), you will be able to track your absences and see relevant news and register for Masa events in your Portal.If you have questions or issues, youmay submit a case by selecting the category "My Cases" along the top of your Portal.Participating in a long term Israel program means living it like a local in Israel and being a part of the Masa Israel community. Join us at facebook.com/masaisrael to get connected.
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