The Jerusalem College of Technology has joined forces with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to offer new benefits to student olim (“new immigrants”) who enroll in qualifying academic integration programs.
The benefits will be made available to those who made aliyah after March 2024 and who enroll in the engineering, nursing or business administration degree tracks within JCT’s International Program. Those students will be eligible for full-tuition scholarships to JCT, expanded and intensive Hebrew-language courses (ulpan), and many other supportive benefits. In addition, qualifying students may also be eligible to receive a housing stipend of up to 1,500 NIS (about $400) per month.
“We’re delighted to continue working with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in our shared goal of not only making sure young people come to Israel but are also fully integrated into the country, and are motivated to make a life for themselves here,” said Rabbi Shlomo Anapolle, director of JCT’s International Program in English. “We believe that students should receive a soft landing when they arrive in Israel, and our program for international students does just that by ensuring that their transition to Israel is a smooth one.”
These new benefits come in addition to what the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration provides to any eligible student looking to enroll in higher education, regardless of what they choose to study. Those benefits include full tuition; pre-aliyah services for students in higher education; consultation services in the selected field of study; tuition assistance for academic-preparatory programs; covering costs associated with taking certain entrance exams; and a student support system that provides academic assistance, counseling services, social activities and trips.
Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer said: “We are making significant efforts to encourage young people and students to come to Israel. There is a willingness to do so, even when Israel is engaged in a long and difficult war, out of a desire to support the country, they want to show solidarity with its citizens, and be partners in Israel’s future.”
“Our academic integration programs are designed to provide opportunities for student olim to enrich themselves and the State of Israel,” said Avital Feldman, head of the English desk at the Israel student authority in the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. “Fields like nursing, engineering and business are in high demand across the country. By enrolling in such programs, olim can look forward to building a successful career in Israel while contributing to the country.”
JCT’s student body features the highest percentage of olim of any Israeli academic institution, and students report experiencing a welcoming community that is passionate about both Torah and secular studies.
The college recently took significant steps to ensure that its campus communities are attending to the needs of olim by partnering with the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC), which builds community and strengthens social programming for students on the Lev Campus for men and the Tal Campus for women. Also, this fall, internationally renowned Torah educator Rabbi Shalom Rosner will lead JCT’s English-speaking Judaic studies program, opening doors for international students who want to remain in Israel to earn a college degree while continuing their high-level Torah learning.
JCT’s Selma Jelinek School of Nursing is widely considered the top nursing program in the country, having received the Health Ministry’s National Prize for Excellence and ranking first among 24 nursing departments nationwide. Notably, more than 90% of JCT’s alumni are employed in their field within a year of graduation. Many have gone on to work for leading tech companies such as Intel, Google, Microsoft, Amdocs, Rafael, Elbit, Check Point, Texas Instruments and IBM.
JCT’s students hail from 38 countries around the world. About 70% of the international students at the college come from North America.
