The economic crisis gripping Greece has placed added demands on both students – eager to learn new skills to compete in the global marketplace – and families committed to meeting educational expenses. The American College of Greece (ACG) – an independent, non-profit institution – is responding to the crisis, and in line with the College’s 138-year-tradition of assisting students, is boosting aid, awarding $2.4 million in aid to 766 students or 20% of the ACG student population (including PIERCE and DEREE) during the 2012-13 academic year.

The increase in aid to $2.4 million was nearly double the amount and helped double the number of students from the previous year.

Of that support, 66% was need based and 34% pure merit based, while 92% of all new undergraduate and graduate DEREE students who applied for financial aid received some form of assistance (an increase of 63% from the previous year).

The increase in aid is part of a four-year plan by the College’s volunteer Board of Trustees announced in June 2012, which calls for yearly increases in scholarship aid so that by 2016, total aid will equal six times that of 2010.

“The increase in scholarship support ensures that talented students who do not have the means will be able to access the quality US-modeled education we provide and that students performing at the highest levels will be rewarded,’” said President Horner.

A commitment of $24.5 million over four years was approved by ACG’s board of trustees in June 2012 and is the largest such effort in Greece, aimed at providing students with new educational opportunities, academic innovation and campus improvements to foster a richer learning environment.

ACG Awarded $2.4 million in aid to 766 students or 20% of the ACG student population (including PIERCE and DEREE) during the 2012-13 academic year. Of that, 66% of the support was need based and 34% pure merit based, while 92% of all new undergraduate and graduate DEREE students who applied for financial aid received some form of assistance (an increase of 63% from the previous year).

“This scholarship award is very important to me because without it, I would have had to quit my studies due to financial concerns” says Antonios Stougias a DEREE student, adding “now, I can complete my studies and fulfill my dreams of education.”

More information on scholarships.

See how fellow alumni are making a difference in funding scholarships.

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