The Gerondelis Foundation Inc. is a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code with offices in Lynn, Massachusetts. The Gerondelis Foundation makes grants for use by students from Greece who hold a Greek undergraduate degree and who have been accepted into a graduate degree or certificate granting program at an American university or other institution of higher learning, provided that the applicant has not previously received an American undergraduate degree. Sometimes such grants may also be granted to Greek students to obtain training at American medical institutions. Recommendations are received from the educational organizations describing the qualifications of the applicant and the amount of the financial aid needed. The Foundation then makes grants based upon these recommendations directly to the educational organizations along with a letter or letters listing the student or students for whom financial aid is being granted.
Eligibility Criteria
In order for a student from Greece to be eligible for a grant from the Gerondelis Foundation pursuant to this program he or she must meet the following six qualifications:
- The student must be (i) either a Greek national or a Greek citizen and (ii) a permanent resident of Greece at the time of the application;
- The applicant must hold a Greek undergraduate degree. The applicant may not have previously received an American undergraduate degree;
- The applicant must have been accepted into and completed one quarter/semester in a graduate degree or certificate granting program at an American university or other institution of higher learning, or he or she must have been accepted for training at an American medical institution.
- The university or institution of higher learning at which the student is enrolled (the “sponsoring institution”) must submit a written letter of recommendation nominating the student for a grant from the Gerondelis Foundation and setting forth in detail the student’s merits;
- The student must demonstrate need for financial aid from the Gerondelis Foundation; and
- The student must intend to return to Greece after completion of his or her studies in this country.
Applicants should be aware that the Foundation lends assistance only whenever its guidelines allow, and is particularly interested in students who, having completed undergraduate or graduate studies in Greece, are pursuing courses for a higher degree not easily available in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to apply for the Gerondelis Foundation Grant?
When an applicant has submitted a completed application along with supporting documents, the application will be taken under consideration at the next meeting of the Foundation at which graduate school grants are considered. These meetings are normally held on the third Thursday of April and October of each year. Thus, the deadline for the October meeting is October 1st and the deadline for the April meeting is April 1st.
What materials must be submitted/uploaded to be considered for the grant?
- The applicant’s curriculum vitae.
- An official transcript of the applicant’s grades from a university in Greece, both graduate and undergraduate.
- An official transcript of the applicant’s grades to date at the sponsoring institution.
- A substantive letter of recommendation from the sponsoring institution nominating the applicant for a grant from the Gerondelis Foundation. Form recommendation letters will not be accepted. In the recommendation letter the sponsoring institution should verify the applicant’s current enrollment, including the date of commencement of studies at the sponsoring institution and the anticipated date of graduation.
- A financial statement, in the form attached hereto, describing the total cost (i.e. tuition, room, board and other expenses) and all sources of funding for an applicant’s graduate education, including whether the sponsoring institution will provide (or has provided) the applicant with tuition remission, grants, or paid positions such as teaching assistantships. If the sponsoring institution has given little or no assistance, then a reason for this lack should be stated. The financial statement must be detailed with dollar figures given.
- A declaration that the applicant is a (i) Greek national or Greek citizen and (ii) a permanent resident of Greece. Proof of nationality or citizenship and proof of residency is required.
- A declaration as to whether or not the applicant intends to return to Greece after completing his or her graduate studies in the United States. A student must declare whether or not he or she has a green card and must provide a copy of his or her visa with the application.
- Any other information reasonably requested by the Foundation, including the submission of completed application forms, if any, required by the Foundation.
Is there a simple checklist for documents that are needed?
Yes, every applicant must submit the following:
- Completed Financial Assistance Application Form
- Letter of Recommendation from sponsoring university
- Curriculum Vitae
- Transcript from a Greek undergraduate university in Greece
- Transcript from the current graduate program in the US
- Letter from Financial Aid office depicting financial aid including grants, scholarships, tuition remission, teaching and graduate research assistantships awarded
- Copy of U.S. Visa, Passport, and Greek Identification Card
- Contact name and mailing address of Financial Aid/Student Accounts officer where check should be mailed, if awarded
What is the amount of each grant?
Applicants should be aware that grants to graduate students from Greece may vary in amount and do not normally exceed $4,000.00.
If I already received a grant from the Gerondelis Foundation, am I eligible to re-apply?
The Foundation’s current policy is to provide only one graduate scholarship grant per person in their lifetime.
How are grants awarded and to whom is the check payable?
Grants will be awarded to all applicants who meet the above-outlined requirements. Payments will be made directly to the sponsoring university that the applicant is currently attending. Checks are not made out to individual students.
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