1. Why was FHU formed? 

We are privileged to reside in the State of Florida, where legislation supports religious post-secondary education, allowing institutions like ours to issue not only religious, but also professional degrees in that integrate Torah teachings. Recognizing the vital need for continuity in Jewish education within the Torah-observant community, Florida Hebrew University (FHU) was established to provide not only spiritual guidance, but also practical parnasa pathways. Our programs are designed to equip students with professional skills necessary to support their families financially, offering a valuable alternative to secular universities whose modern values often clash with Torah tenets. We envision FHU as a dynamic hub that promotes Torah-observant culture through music, fashion, and art, reaching beyond the Jewish community. At the core of FHU's Torah-Based Research is the pursuit of understanding the 'whys' of Torah mitzvot, revealing the deep meanings behind these commandments.

​

2. Why do we need another university when we have Yeshiva University and Touro? 

This is an excellent question! FHU is very different from YU and Touro. Firstly, our university does not offer secular degrees and has a status of religious university.  Our university is built exclusively for Orthodox Jewish students by Orthodox administrators and faculty.  We do not participate in government funding programs or offer degrees that lead to licensing. Our focus is on practical Torah-based education that streamlines into job and business opportunities within the Jewish world.  In online classes, male and female students are divided into separate groups, and our university policies follow Orthodox Jewish halakhic standards. 

​​

​

3. Are your classes together or separate?

Male and female students are taught in separate classes.

​

4. Are you accredited?

As per Florida statutes, accreditation is not mandatory for any university including religious post-secondary institutions.  The critical function of accreditation is to provide eligibility of college graduates to apply for a professional license in such professions as social work, jurisprudence, medicine, and psychology, to name a few.  However, if a profession does not require a license, a degree program does not have a requirement to be accredited. At FHU, we only award degrees in the areas where professional license is not required for employment or independent professional pursuit. We may pursue accreditation in the future with an organization that will know how to accredit our innovative Torah-based post-secondary educational model while not infrindging upon our Orthodox values and allow flexibility in adapting changes quickly as well as preserving relative governance autonomy according to our halakhic standards.

​

5. Is FHU state licensed?

As per Florida statutes, religious universities are exempt from Florida state licensure.

​

6. Are the classes in person or online?

All our classes are 100% online. However, in the future, for certain courses and programs are a planning in-person instruction as well.

​

7. Can I live anywhere in the world to enroll?

Currently FHU can accept students with residential addresses in Florida, New Jersey, and California, expanding to selected other states in the near future.

​

8. Are tuition payment plans available?

All payments must be made upon class registration at the beginning of every semester.

​

9. Do I have to pay for internship credits?

No. Internship credits are included in total cost of tuition and do not require separate payment.

​

10. Do I get a refund if I change my mind about going to FHU?

Please, refer to the FHU Tuition Refund Policy by visiting this page: https://www.floridahebrewuniversity.org/tuition-and-financial-aid. 

 

11. Are there scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships may be available on a case by case basis depending on availability.

​​​

12. Can I use federal aid like FAFSA or Pell Grant to pay for my studies?

No, Florida Hebrew University does not receive government funding. However, we are proactively engaging in fundraising efforts with private Jewish foundations to support our mission and expand our offerings.

​

13. How do I apply?

To apply, you must fill out an online application or download and print a paper copy application and mail it to our main office. Click here for FHU Application instructions.

​

14. Who qualifies to enter FHU programs?

Please, refer to the FHU Admissions Page for our Admissions Policies: https://www.floridahebrewuniversity.org/admissions-overview

​

15. Do I need to take SATs to apply? 

Our applicant evaluation process is comprehensive, taking into account not only academic achievements, but also personal growth and commitment to community service. We do not require standardized test scores such as the SATs or ACTs. Instead, our admissions criteria include an analysis of grades, letters of recommendation, records of high school volunteer experience, and selected samples of high school projects. Each applicant will also be provided with a list of topics and questions to prepare for a detailed written entrance exam and a personal interview, ensuring a holistic review of each candidate’s qualifications and potential.

​

16. What is the minimum GPA to graduate? 

All students must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

​

17. Do You Accept Transfer Students from other colleges?

Yes. We accept Orthodox Jewish transfer students on case by case basis.

 

18. Is it possible to transfer any of my credits from other universities/colleges/yeshiva/seminary/high school?

Yes. Please, refer to our Credit Transfer Policy Page Here: https://www.floridahebrewuniversity.org/credit-transfer

​

19. If I choose to transfer to a different college, will my FHU credits be accepted?

Acceptance of earned transfer credits is determinted by the receiving institution.  

​

20. Can you help me find work once I graduate?

While FHU cannot legally guarantee or make promises to provide employment, we have built a Student Career Center dedicated to assisting FHU students and graduates with parnasa pathways. We train our students for kosher careers within the Jewish world where “lunch and mincha” is a norm and Friday afternoon becomes a Shabbos preparation.

​

21. Are there enough Jewish jobs out there? 

Current statistical analysis shows us that the US has the largest number of Jews in the world. With exponential growth in Jewish population, more and more people establish their own businesses creating jobs and providing opportunities for employment.

​

22. Do you offer a visa for international students?

Since our classes are now 100% online, currently we do not offer student visa support. However, as we expand to in-person instruction, B"H, we plan to make student visa accomodations in the future.

​

23. Do I have to take secular classes?

All our courses are Torah-based, and all study materials are approved by Orthodox Rabbinical authorities.

​

24. Who are your teachers?

Our faculty are Torah-observant Orthodox Jewish instructors who have received smicha or/and post-secondary degrees or relevant work experience in their areas of expertise.

​

25. Can I become a licensed psychologist after I graduate with Master’s in Torah-Based Counseling?

FHU does not offer secular degrees in Psychology.  In fact, our rabbinical advisory strongly discourages young people from choosing a degree in secular psychology as the tenants of this professional practice clash with Torah-based approach to life and spiritual health.  FHU Degree in Torah-Based Counseling is different from the secular degree in Psychology and is considered a religious degree. This category of degrees is free from licensing and certification requirements in the area of counseling as long as the practitioner agrees to make a disclaimer not to diagnose a mental illness or do the work required by a licensed psychologist.  Torah-Based counseling is suitable for professionals interested in counseling clients who adhere to the tenants of the Jewish Orthodox religious practices. Our graduates can charge for their services privately or find employment within the Orthodox Jewish schools, shuls, and Torah-based counseling centers.

​

26. Can I apply for a teacher’s certification after graduating from FHU Education Program and teach in a public school?

FHU Department of Education prepares graduates for parnasa pathways within the Orthodox Jewish Educational System where teacher certification is generally not required.  Currently our Torah-based undergraduate and graduate programs are not accredited by secular agencies and our degrees are not designed for pursuit of certification.

​

27. Do you hire your own college graduates?

Yes. FHU offers employment opportunities on a selective basis.

​

28. Can I work at FHU while being an FHU student?

Students maintaining GPA of 3.75 and above are eligible for our Work-and-Study Program to help offset the cost of tuition.

​

29. Do I get to have a student ID? Will I be eligible for student discounts?

Yes, every FHU students received a registration package with their FHU student ID that he or she can use where student discount opportunities are available.

​

30. When do I need to declare my major?

Every FHU students takes the same 15 courses in the first year and a half of their student journey. Students must declare their majors at the beginning of the Fall Semester of their 2nd year of studies.

​

31. Why donate to FHU?

By supporting our university, you are contributing to scholarship funds to enable students who otherwise would not have an opportunity to receive higher Torah-based education to learn to make parnasa.  You also help create jobs for talented faculty members who can teach advanced Torah-based knowledge and skills to generations of Torah-observant Jews who want to acquire a profession.  

​

32. How do I donate to FHU?

We are glad you asked. Please, follow this link and let us know if you would like a dedication: https://www.floridahebrewuniversity.org/donation-page

​

33. Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. FHU is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Every donor automatically receives an IRS donation receipt.

​

34. Is there privacy protection?

Please, follow this link to read FHU Privacy Policy: https://www.floridahebrewuniversity.org/privacy-policy

​​