Greek Scholarships
American Scholarships
Educational Advising and Testing
General questions
I hold dual citizenship - Greek and American. Am I eligible to apply for a Fulbright grant?
No. However, Greek citizens who hold dual citizenship with a country other than the United States are eligible to apply.
Under which visa category do persons participate in the Fulbright program?
All Fulbright grantees are required by the US Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to travel on exchange visitor "J-1" visas. It is a condition of the visa that, after completion of the program, all scholarship recipients must return to Greece and reside in Greece for two years before being eligible to immigrate to, or apply for permanent residence or a work permit in the United States. Please visit the ECA J1 website for more info : http://j1visa.state.gov
Can the award be postponed until the following year?
Fulbright awards cannot be deferred to the following academic year. Candidates are obliged to resubmit an application for the scholarship.
Is a person currently studying or conducting research in the United States eligible for a Fulbright grant?
No. Scholars who have already begun their research or teaching activities or who have been physically present in the United States on a J-1 visa for more than 6 of the 12 months preceding the start date of their Fulbright grant are not eligible to apply.
Will receipt of my application and letters of recommendation be acknowledged?
Applicants should check with the Foundation to ensure that all documentation regarding their application has been received.
I have been awarded another grant(s) to study/conduct research in the United States. Am I eligible to apply for a Fulbright grant?
Yes, recipients of other grants are eligible for Fulbright grants. Applicants, however, should check with other foundations or grant sources to learn if any restrictions exist.
Who is on the Fulbright Selection Committee?
The Fulbright Selection Committee comprises of at least four Greek and US experts in the fields of study of the pool of applicants. Committee members are drawn from the Fulbright Foundation Board of Directors, senior academics and accomplished professionals, US Embassy representatives, and Fulbright alumni. The Executive Director of the Fulbright Program in Greece and the Greek Program Coordinator participate in the committee as non-voting members.
Can you tell me why I was not selected?
Unfortunately, no. Each year the number of well-qualified applicants exceeds the number of grants available. Final selection and the procedures to achieve this selection are the responsibility of the Fulbright Selection Committee and the Board of Directors of the US Educational Foundation in Greece.
To what disciplines and projects does the Fulbright Foundation offer scholarships?
The Foundation offers scholarships in a variety of disciplines and supports many different research and art projects. To check out a list of scholarships awarded in previous years please refer to the Fulbright News newsletter or the Grantee link.
Questions for graduate students
How many Fulbright grants are awarded each year to Greek graduate students?
About 15-20 grants are offered annually to Greek graduate students. The number of grants depends on the funding the Foundation receives each year.
What does the Fulbright grant include?
The Fulbright grant provides a maximum allowance of up to $18,000 (covering tuition and/or living expenses) for the first year only, roundtrip airfare, and limited health and accident insurance. The amount awarded depends on the Fulbright committee’s recommendation.
Can a recipient pursue a medical degree with a Fulbright grant?
Candidates who wish to pursue studies as medical students are not eligible to apply. Candidates with medical degrees may receive grants for advanced academic study (Ph.D), but not for internships or residencies.
I have not yet been accepted at a US university. May I still apply?
Yes. Most applicants have not been accepted at universities at the time they apply for a Fulbright grant, but generally they have already submitted their applications to US universities. If you are interviewed and are successful, you will be offered a grant provided you are also accepted at an accredited institution in the United States.
I am not able to be present at the interview. May I be interviewed on the telephone/skype and will my application still be considered?
No. Applicants are required to be present at the interview.
Questions for research scholars
How many Fulbright grants are awarded each year to Greek research scholars?
About six grants are offered annually to Greek research scholars. The number of grants depends on the funding the Foundation receives each year.
I have studied previously in the United States. Am I eligible to participate in the research scholar program?
Yes, but preference is given to applicants without such experience.
I’ve submitted an application for a research grant and I plan to visit two institutions in the United States. I’ve only received one affiliation letter and am waiting for the second. Will this put my application in jeopardy?
No, as long as there is an “informal” indication (for instance, an e-mail to the Foundation) showing that the invitation is in good standing and that the official letter of invitation will be mailed soon.
I just finished my Ph.D. program. Can I apply for a Fulbright research grant?
No. Four years must elapse after the receipt of your doctorate in order to apply for a research grant.
I am a qualified medical doctor. Can I apply for a research grant?
Yes, but only if your project involves research and not internships or residencies.
Questions for Artists
How many Fulbright grants are offered to Greek artists each year?
About four grants are offered annually to Greek artists. The number of grants depends on the funding the Foundation receives each year.
I am an artist who wishes to pursue graduate studies in the United States. Am I eligible to participate in the Artists program?
No. The Artists program is a non-degree program designed especially for candidates who wish to pursue only training and observation in their field. If you wish to pursue graduate studies, you should apply to the Graduate program, provided you fulfill all the eligibility requirements.
I am an artist and I have been awarded a Fulbright grant for 3 months. May I stay longer than three months in the United States?
Yes, but you will have to provide sufficient proof that you have the financial means to support your extra stay in the United States.
American Scholarships
I am an American citizen. How may I apply for a Fulbright grant to teach, study, or conduct research in Greece?
You may apply for these grants through the Institute for International Education (IIE) http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html (students) or the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) www.cies.org (professors, scholars, and artists). Available positions and disciplines, as well as application forms and deadlines are posted on the CIES and IIE websites.
A letter of invitation is required. Who arranges the affiliations?
A letter of invitation/affiliation from a Greek Institution is required together with the Fulbright application. The applicant must arrange his/her academic affiliation in Greece prior to applying for a Fulbright grant. The Foundation can assist in identifying possible affiliations but the candidate must make contacts and arrangements.
Who selects the grantees?
The first screening is done at CIES/IIE by a team of scholars and specialists in the relevant disciplines. The selection committee at the Fulbright program in Greece then reviews the qualified applicants forwarded by CIES/IIE and selects grantees. The process is rather lengthy and the grants are announced in March of the grant year.
I am applying for a teaching grant. Must I speak Greek?
Awards specify language requirements. If your host is willing to accommodate you without your knowing Greek for a "classroom" setting, then he/she is obliged to provide translating assistance to you if necessary.
If I am awarded a grant to teach or conduct research in Greece, when may I begin my stay in Greece?
Grants commence at the beginning of each academic semester – September and January. Although you must specify proposed dates on your application, these might change in agreement with your Greek host. As the Foundation is responsible for arranging your travel plans, it is best to confirm travel dates as early as possible. Changes can be accommodated as airline flexibility and aviation rules allow.
Is the money I receive from the grant sufficient to cover my expenses throughout my stay?
Normally, grant money covers basic food, lodging, and ordinary daily expenses of the grantee and one dependent. If you plan to bring your family, you must budget more carefully. Tuition for children’s schooling must be calculated to determine full costs. If grantees choose to rent a car or live in housing “beyond the basics,” they may have to budget more funds than the grant provides.
How can I find housing?
The Foundation will provide you with addresses of realtors and agents who can help you find housing. Grantees are also advised to check the classified ads of Greek newspapers online (see Useful Links). We do not recommend that you rent an apartment before you see it physically.
How can I find out about cultural events, entertainment, and other activities where I will be living?
There are a number of publications and websites in English and Greek that list movies, theater, music, sports, and dining. Fulbright staff can also assist grantees in finding out about activities or events not easily located. In addition, your name can be listed with the US Embassy in Athens or the US Consulate in Thessaloniki should you wish to be informed about embassy events.
How will I find my way around the university and learn about my various duties?
A faculty member, often the department head who has arranged for your invitation/affiliation, is responsible for informing you about teaching duties, office space, libraries, exams, grading, and other particulars. You should contact this person directly before your program commences.
To what disciplines and projects does the Fulbright Foundation offer scholarships?
The Foundation offers scholarships in a variety of disciplines and supports many different research and art projects. To check out a list of scholarships awarded in previous years please refer to the Fulbright News newsletter or the Grantee link.
Educational Advising and Testing
Do I really need to take the TOEFL or the IELTS, even though I am fluent in English?
Universities in the United States require students applying from overseas to take the TOEFL or the IELTS as proof of knowledge of the English language.
I am an American citizen. Do I need to take the TOEFL?
Yes, unless you have studied at an English-speaking school for the past three consecutive years.
Will my degree from an American university be recognized in Greece?
To find about the status of American degrees in Greece, you should contact the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center, the office of the Ministry of Education in Greece that recognizes degrees earned abroad.
More information at: www.doatap.gr
Will a distance learning university degree from the United States be recognized in Greece?
Many universities offer complete degree programs over the Internet. In the United States, many of these degrees are considered of equal value to those earned the traditional way. In Greece, you should contact DOATAP at www.doatap.gr to determine a degree's recognition status.
Where may I find information on the standardized tests that American educational institutions require?
You may obtain testing information by visiting the appropriate testing site on the Internet. For specific test sites consult our link on testing http://www.fulbright.gr/testing.html
I am a medical doctor and am interested in going to the United States for my residency training. What tests do I need to take? What is the procedure to get certified by the ECFMG?
Graduates of foreign medical schools must take the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exams). Information on the USMLEs can be found at www.usmle.org
To be admitted into a residency program in the United States, you must first get certified by ECFMG (the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates). For more information visit: www.ecfmg.org
I have been accepted by a university in the United States; when can I depart for the United States?
The I-20 you have been issued by the US Institution lists your reporting date. You may apply for a visa that allows you to go to the United States up to one month prior to this date. You must also pay the SEVIS fee before showing up for your student visa appointment at the US Embassy in Athens. The institution that has accepted you will inform you about the procedure. See: http://www.ice.gov/sevis
How many years of professional work experience do I need after graduating before I can apply to a competitive MBA program in the U.S.?
Most universities require a minimum of 2 years experience before they accept your application. Read each application thoroughly to identify any special requirements an institution might have.
Where can I find information about athletic scholarships in the United States?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) maintains a website with lots of interesting information. Visit it at www.ncaa.org. Also look at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) website at www.naia.org and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) website at www.njcaa.org
I have been accepted by a US university; how can I be sure I will find a place in its residency hall?
The first thing you should do when you learn of your acceptance is to request housing information and apply immediately for a dormitory room. Not all schools can accommodate all students in dormitories or student housing, so you should contact the housing office as soon as possible to learn about housing options.
How much does it cost to study at an American university?
The cost of education varies widely from institution to institution. Generally, you should expect to pay from $10,000 to $25,000 per year at state (public) universities, and from $15,000 to $40,000 per year at private universities. The figures listed are for tuition and fees only and do not include living and other expenses. Precise information about the cost of tuition and living expenses should be obtained from each university.
When should I start the application process for a US University?
You should start at least one year before you finish school here in Greece; in other words, about 15 to 18 months before classes begin in the United States. Each university has different deadlines for application submissions, tests, and other steps. You should learn the deadlines of the universities you are interested in and follow them carefully.
How often are the TOEFL and GRE offered?
iBT TOEFL and GRE tests are offered on specific dates in Athens and Thessaloniki. For additional information and specifics please click on the “Testing” link.
Which are the best schools to apply to in my field?
The educational adviser cannot recommend a particular school. You should choose schools based on academic requirements, economic ability, and geographical preference. The educational advisor can, of course, help you identify schools that meet your needs.
