As a non-profit study abroad institution, we aim to help as many students as possible to find options for financial assistance. Eligibility for our scholarships is based on financial need. Only students who have been accepted to CYA for a semester or academic year are eligible to apply.

When planning how to finance your study abroad, explore all available options. First discuss with your study abroad and financial aid advisors the possibility of transferring all or some of your existing financial aid package toward College Year in Athens fees. (Please keep in mind that the home institution, not College Year in Athens, must process all applications for Federal and State aid.)

The CYA Board of Trustees has set aside funds for supplemental scholarships for academically qualified students who would otherwise not be able to attend. Scholarships for students applying for a semester or academic year are customarily awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to approximately half the amount of tuition.

These scholarships are intended as credit against CYA fees and should not be used to reduce the financial aid package awarded through the home institution. Since CYA scholarships are given as an adjustment in the program fees, rather than as funds received by the student, they may cause a reduction of the student’s demonstrated need. Often this means that a scholarship from CYA would not be beneficial because it would cause an equivalent reduction in the amount of financial aid awarded by the applicant’s home school.

Your digital CYA scholarship application consists of two parts. One part needs to be completed by you, the student, and the second part needs to be completed by your Financial Aid Advisor. Along with your part of the application you must upload copies of your parents’ and your own previous year’s tax forms. Complete directions for this process are available on the digital scholarship application form.

If you have any questions, please call 617 868-8200.

PLEASE NOTE: Only students who have been accepted to College Year in Athens for a semester or academic year will be considered for an award.

For consideration in the primary allotment of CYA scholarship aid (fall and spring semesters), complete applications should be received by April 1.

Those applying after the deadline should follow the guidelines below:

Late fall applicants should complete the digital form and upload their documentation as soon as possible.  These applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Late spring applicants should complete the digital form and upload their documentation by October 30. Their applications will be reviewed at the beginning of November.
Later spring applications will be reviewed thereafter on a rolling basis as long as funds are available.
If you have questions on any of these matters, please call our office at 617 868-8200.

The following scholarships were established in honor of people closely involved with the founding of CYA

• Ismene Phylactopoulou Memorial Scholarship: This endowed scholarship, in memory of Ismene Phylactopoulou, founder and first Director of College Year in Athens, was created by the contributions of alumni and supporters of CYA.
• George S. Phylactopoulos Memorial Scholarship: Partly funded by Dr. and Mrs. George Hatsopoulos, this scholarship was instituted to honor the man who had a critical involvement with College Year in Athens from its inception and for over 30 years.
• Raphael and Jean Demos Memorial Scholarship: This scholarships was established by the Trustees so that the names of two great educators who encouraged and influenced the Program from the beginning may be continually honored.
• George N. Hatsopoulos Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship, focused on rewarding ambitious and goal-oriented students of strong enterprising spirit, was established by CYA in 2019 in order to pay tribute to the vital leadership exemplified by George N. Hatsopoulos, the longest seated Chairman of CYA’s Board of Trustees and the driving force during CYA’s formative years.

The following scholarships have been established to recognize the important contributions to the Program made by dedicated educators who were involved in the development of College Year in Athens

• H.D.F. Kitto Scholarship: H.D.F. Kitto taught Ancient Greek Language and Attic Tragedy for CYA between 1965 and 1980.
• Catherine Koumarianou Scholarship: Catherine Koumarianou taught Modern Greek History and Modern Greek Language between 1966 and 1991, and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2007.
• Robert Lane Scholarship: Robert Lane taught Philosophy between 1974 and 1997.
• Harry L. Levy Scholarship: Harry L. Levy taught Advanced Ancient Greek in 1971-72 and was a member of the Board of Advisors from 1966 to 1981.
• Kimon T. Giocarinis Summer Scholarship: This scholarship for summer study has been established to honor a learned educator who served CYA loyally and with distinction as Director of Studies for 30 years.

The following awards are also given annually

• Harold Evjen Scholarship: This is an annual award of $1,000 to a classics major, funded by Professor Hara Tzavella Evjen in memory of her husband, Harold (Hal) Evjen who taught Ancient Athletics at CYA in 1994-95 and again between 1999 and 2002.
• The Alumni Award: This award of $500 is supported by the generous donations of former CYA students.
• Caraganis-Welt Scholarship: This is an annual award of $1,000 to a history major, funded by Mrs. Joan Caraganis Jacobson, CYA ’65, in honor of her parents.
• William C. Kontes ‘99 Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship, founded in memory of William Constantine Kontes, who attended CYA for the full year in 1999, was established by CYA and Zoë Kontes ’95, Will’s sister, rewarding ambitious, driven, goal-oriented college-level students admitted to College Year in Athens for a Full Academic Year enrollment status. The William C. Kontes ’99 Memorial Scholarship is supported by the generous donations of CYA alumni and individual donors.

CYA is a “Bonner Approved” study abroad program. The Bonner Program provides a scholarship in exchange for weekly commitment to intensive and meaningful service with a local community organization. Bonner Scholars and Leaders may satisfy their community service requirements while studying abroad at CYA in Greece.

In addition, you should check out various independent scholarships available for those who wish to study abroad. For example, students who are U.S. citizens may also apply for the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship. Note the early deadlines.

Another one is the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) which provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population.

Another idea is to sign up for Fund MyTravel.