I want

Education

Shira Bigon, Social worker and Senior Field Director at the Ministry of Health's Education, Culture, and Recreation
2 September 2025

Education increases the number of job opportunities, the chance to work in a meaningful field, the chance to get a job, the chance to become independent, and the chance to build self-confidence. The studies themselves give you a chance to learn how to deal with difficult tasks, build your learning skills, close social and digital gaps, and handle failures. You can choose from the following options and get the following types of help:

Assistance and financing of education

Help with money, school, feelings, and social activities based on what the person with mental health disabilities needs.

  • The Ministry of Health helps pay for some of the educational options, and you have to pay a portion of the cost yourself.
    It costs NIS 200 per student to take enrichment classes and finish basic education.
    Up to 10% of the cost of the course for courses that lead to matriculation.
  • In some cases, the National Insurance Institute will pay for a course to prepare for a psychometric test, vocational training, or college degrees.

Assistance options based on the type of education

  • Elementary school education: the "Completion of Education" service gives elementary school education.
  • Preparatory schools to oversee both academic and vocational studies: the nationwide preparatory program "Launching Opportunities for Education and Employment" helps people get ready for academic or vocational studies.
  • Help for students at an academic institution: there are programs to help students who have been approved by the Rehabilitation Basket Committee and are studying for a degree at a college or university recognized by the Board for Higher Education. These students must be enrolled in at least a half-time program and be in any stage of their degree, including pre-academic courses and teaching degree studies. There are two backup tracks:
    • Education coordination means having a professional watch over a student who is getting better and giving them physical and emotional support both inside and outside of school.
    • Mentoring at school: four hours of mentoring a week. The mentoring focuses on the student's personal needs, making friends, and fitting in with their community.

People with mental health problems who are behind the social and personal stigmas either did not get the chance to finish or get an education or did not use the one that came up. Like people who have had mental health issues since they were young and did not finish high school or whose mental health got worse and they could not finish their studies. A lot of people quit early because they were afraid they would fail, not be able to pay, or have to commit to a long process.

The importance of education in everyday life

Education increases your chances of getting a job, working in a meaningful field, becoming independent, and integrating into the job market. It also boosts your self-confidence. The studies themselves give you a chance to learn how to deal with difficult tasks, build your learning skills, close social and digital gaps, and handle failures. In addition, group study programs in general and academic ones in particular give you the chance to meet new people who may become important to you later on. It is also a chance to learn how to act in a group, get along better with others, and most importantly, feel better about your own worth.

Education services in the rehabilitation basket

There are different kinds of help for people with different levels of education, from finishing elementary school to going to college. These services are meant to close the gap between what you can do and what you could do emotionally, mentally, and financially. They can also help you reach your full potential based on your skills and goals. If you want to finish or get an education, get over your fears and start by reading this. It will tell you about your options and how you might be able to get help. Help with money, school, feelings, and friends, depending on what you need.

Getting help paying for school

  • There are some educational options that are paid for by the Ministry of Health, but you still have to make a co-payment.
    • It costs NIS 200 to take enrichment classes and finish elementary school.
    • 10% of the cost of the course for courses that lead to school graduation.
  • In some cases, the National Insurance Institute will pay for a course to prepare for a psychometric test, vocational training, or college degrees. More information on the National Insurance Institute website (Hebrew)

Who can get help with and pay for their educational options?

Israeli citizens between the ages of 18 and 65 who have been given permission by the Rehabilitation Basket Committee to finish school.

How to show that you are eligible to complete school

If you already have a rehabilitation basket

If you already have an approved rehabilitation basket but cannot get education services, you can talk to the person who is mentoring you on behalf of the rehabilitation basket about what you need.

The mentor will talk to the district's Rehabilitation Basket Committee about the request, and they will look it over.

  1. Once you have permission from the regional Rehabilitation Basket Board to use education completion services, you need to get in touch with the professional director of one of the companies that offer those services in your area.
  2. Together with you, the professional director will go over your needs and give you advice on how to make a curriculum that works for you and lets you study where you live.
  3. The professional director will help you get the necessary paperwork and figure out how much your tax return will cover in order to pay for the service you have chosen, if there is one.
  4. Based on the rehabilitation plan and the main goals that were established, the professional director will supervise you during the study period and will ultimately, if necessary, assist you in exercising your rights regarding continued studies or employment options.

If you do not have a rehabilitation basket

If you choose to submit the application on your own or to use aid agencies, please read here about submitting an application for a rehabilitation basket.

You have to say that you need education services on the service application form. After you send in the forms, you will be invited to the first Rehabilitation Basket Committee. This group will decide if you are eligible for certain rehabilitation services. You can talk about the application and stress how important it is for you to be eligible for educational services at the meeting with the committee.

The Committee will look over who can get the different services in the rehabilitation basket, such as education services, and send its answer.

Types of education

The goal of the completion of the education service is to give kids an elementary education.

Who the service is for

For persons with mental health disabilities who, for various reasons, were unable to complete their studies as part of the various elementary frameworks. Studies in this program take place in the community, such as in schools, ulpanim and community centers.

Studies take place in 2 tracks, at the selection of the persons with a mental health disability:

  1. Mental health disabled students can learn with typically able-bodied students in appropriate classrooms.
  2. In classrooms just for people who are eligible for a rehabilitation basket.

Areas of study in the service

  • Being able to read and write in either Hebrew or Arabic.
  • Ten to twelve years of study.
  • Getting a high school diploma and getting help with your studies in the Preparatory 30+ program.
  • Ulpanim to learn Hebrew for people.
  • Using computer apps, smart phones, and the internet to close digital gaps.
  • Bettering your English skills.
  • UniBaam is an education enrichment program.


The cost is NIS 200 per course, which can be deducted.

The preparatory program “Launching Opportunities for Education and Employment" prepares candidates for academic or vocational studies, to allow people with mental health disabilities to integrate in these academic frameworks. This program accomplishes this through coordinated, emotional and cognitive support before and during the vocational studies. Participation in the program reinforces academic skills, learning strategies, coping with test anxiety, coping with assignments, preparation for tests, etc. The program provides a mandatory and supportive educational framework at the same time, and experience in a group of peers that promotes a social framework. In addition, a professional diagnosis is made as part of the support in making the right decisions in academics and on the job. At the end of the preparatory school, participants receive a recommendation for an extension program, with regards to both academics and employment. A list of methods for actually implementing the program. The program operates throughout the country.

Who the program is for

The program is designed for people coping with a mental health disability between the ages of 18-45 who completed 12 years of study and who require preparation ahead academic or vocational studies. Acceptance criteria to the program is eligibility for the education services in the rehabilitation basket through the Ministry of Health or through National Insurance Institute as part of the vocational rehabilitation.

The academic program

  • The preparatory schools allow for people to gain experience in full and diverse academic programs over the course of 4 months, in the morning or in the afternoon.
  • The studies take place over Zoom or in frontal sessions, in academic institutions across Israel.
  • There is a special preparatory school for people from the Ultra-Orthodox sector that takes place separately in Bnei Brak.
  • The program includes individual and group mentoring ahead of and during the extension studies.
  • Participants in the program participate in courses and workshops in various subjects such as English and math, improving interpersonal skills, self-management, career development, computers, etc.

Cost: participation in the preparatory schools is free of charge.

Service that is known as “Support of Academic Studies” is designed to support students earning their bachelors, masters or other degree in academic institutions and colleges that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education. The service is designed for students eligible for education services in the rehabilitation basket and is provided in 2 tracks:

  1. Education coordination track: support of studies by a professional from the field of rehabilitation, special education or learning disabilities. The professional meets with the student and helps with whatever is needed to facilitate their academic success. It also facilitates the exercising of rights inside and outside the academic institution, in implementing educational adjustments, helps in organizing, learning strategies, creates a schedule and provides emotional support in cases of anxiety, overwhelm, isolation or any other challenge that arises.
  2. Academic mentoring track: 4 weekly hours of academic mentoring given provided to the student that focuses on social relationships, orienting in academia, help with traveling on public transportation, joint arrival at social events, social skills, assistance in obtaining study materials, integration into the community, etc. The program and its goals are personalized for every student. This service is available at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, Haifa University, the Technion and Sapir College.

Eligibility for support of academic studies

Provided to any student who is eligible for educational services in the rehabilitation basket and who is studying at least half of the program of any academic degree at an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education. The assistance is given at every stage of the degree and in every type of degree, including pre-academic preparatory school and teaching studies.

Rehabilitation Basket Services

Housing

Education

Assistance Acquiring Basic Equipment for Living

Dental Treatment for People in Recovery

Leisure time

Mentoring

Household Help

Treatment Coordination