Goal To enable young adults of Ethiopian, Caucasian, or Druze origin - or from various other special population groups - to attend college and gain a higher education degree.

Overview In the year 2000, the Sacta-Rashi Foundation established the Ephraim Katzir Scholarship program, named after Israel's fourth president and one of the founding members of the Foundation's board of directors. The program targets students from three groups - immigrants from Ethiopia, immigrants from the Caucasian mountain region, and the Druze community - who are registered in one of 16 academic colleges, studying science and technology, communications, education or nursing. Over 1,500 students are participating in the program this year. During the three or four years of their studies, students receive comprehensive financial support, including living expenses and the cost of study assistance. In addition, they are accompanied through their college experience by a coordinator who ensures that they do not fall behind educationally or socially, and are offered a variety of enrichment programs.

Program Expansion In the last two years, the original program has expanded to include new population groups that need to overcome special obstacles on their way to an academic degree. This expansion has been made possible through strategic partnerships with other foundations and academic institutes. New target groups: • Residents of northern periphery towns (native Israelis) • Demobilized soldiers who are do not have parents or family in Israel • Young adults from Bukharian origin • Blind students • "Returnees" – students who returned to college to fulfill one or two requirements for their degree

Sacta-Rashi's Involvement • Students' tuition fees and living stipend • Program development and administration

Partners Caesarea Foundation Gross Foundation Pratt Foundation M.K. Humanitarian Association Yahel Foundation in memory of Y.L. Recanati Avoka Foundation Queen Esther Foundation Fundacion Dorset