Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia

Introduction
Since its founding, the Club has carried out many programs that would have made its original organizers proud and continue to serve the interests of a current membership exceeding 300. Of all these efforts, the Hellenic University Club Scholarship Program stands as the Club’s most important initiative—an embodiment of paideia and a key measure of the Club’s mission and standing.

Recent and historical figures
- In 2024 the Club awarded 16 scholarships totaling $63,000.
- Since 1971 the Hellenic University Club has distributed $1,084,000 in scholarship aid to 438 undergraduate and graduate students.
- For 2024 the Club is offering 18 scholarships (undergraduate and graduate) totaling $79,000.

Undergraduate eligibility
Applicants for undergraduate awards must be enrolled full time in a degree program at an accredited four‑year college or university, or be high school seniors who have been accepted to such a full‑time degree program. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance. Some scholarships listed below carry additional, specific eligibility requirements.

Undergraduate scholarships that require demonstration of financial need
- Dr. Michael Dorizas Memorial Scholarship — Established in memory of Dr. Michael Dorizas, a respected educator, lecturer and athlete. Award: $5,000.
- Founders Scholarship — Created to honor the Club’s founders. Award: $5,000.
- Dimitri J. Ververelli Memorial Scholarship (Architecture and/or Engineering) — For a student pursuing a degree in architecture or engineering. Established by Mrs. Anastasia Ververelli in memory of her husband, former Club president Dimitri J. Ververelli. Award: $3,000.
- George C. Liacouras Memorial Scholarship — Preferentially awarded to a student attending or applying to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; if no suitable Wharton candidate is identified in a given year, this scholarship may be awarded to an applicant attending or applying to any other undergraduate or graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. Established by Mrs. Effie Liacouras in honor of her husband George C. Liacouras. Award: $5,000.
- Goldie S. Vastardis Memorial Scholarship — Funded by Mr. Louis Vastardis in memory of his wife, Goldie. This merit award is given to a student whose parents serve as stewards in good standing at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Award: $2,000.

Undergraduate scholarships that do not require financial information
- Paideia Scholarship — A merit award reserved for the child of a Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia member. Parent(s) must have been current members in good standing for at least three years. Award: $5,000.
- Plato Marinakos Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship — For an undergraduate student (preference, not limited to, majors in health or health‑related fields). Preference may be given to children of Hellenic University Club members; parent(s) must have been current members in good standing for at least three years. Established by Mrs. Vasie Marinakos in memory of her husband, Plato Marinakos. Award: $5,000.
- Danielle Kousoulis Memorial Scholarship — A merit award for an undergraduate who is the child or grandchild of a Hellenic University Club member and who is majoring in business or a business‑related field. Parent(s) or grandparent(s) must have been current members in good standing for at least three years. Prior recipients of this scholarship are not eligible to receive it again. The scholarship was established by the Danielle Kousoulis Memorial Scholarship Fund; Danielle Kousoulis was a HUC scholarship recipient in 1989–90 and was killed in the September 11, 2001 attack on the Twin Towers. Award: $5,000.
- Virginia Botsis Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship — Established through a bequest from Virginia Botsis and preferentially (but not exclusively) awarded to students majoring in music. Award: $5,000.
- Cyprus Society Scholarship — Sponsored by the Cyprus Society of Greater Philadelphia for students whose families have been members in good standing of the Cyprus Society for the past three years. Award: $2,500.

Graduate eligibility
Graduate awards are available to students who are enrolled full time in a graduate program or to senior undergraduates who have been accepted into a graduate or professional program at an accredited university or professional school. Applicants must intend to enroll full time in Fall 2024. Postdoctoral (post‑PhD) candidates are not eligible. Some graduate scholarships have specific fields or other eligibility conditions noted below.

Graduate scholarship that does not require financial information
- Dr. Nicholas Padis Memorial Graduate Scholarship — Academic excellence is the principal criterion for this award. Established in 1986, it honors Dr. Nicholas Padis, a Philadelphia physician, founding member and first president of the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia. Award: $5,000.

Graduate scholarships that require demonstration of financial need
- John S. Manos, Esq. Memorial Graduate Scholarship — For a student pursuing studies leading to a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Established in 2009 in memory of John Stanley Manos, Esq., and funded by his family and friends. Award: $2,000.
- Dr. Peter A. Theodos Memorial Graduate Scholarship — For a student pursuing studies leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Established in 1988 in honor of Dr. Peter A. Theodos, a Philadelphia physician, founding member and past Club president; funded by Mrs. Peter A. Theodos. Award: $1,500.
- Nicholas S. Hetos, DDS, and Maria Galanos Hetos, EdD, Memorial Graduate Scholarship — For a senior undergraduate or graduate student of Greek descent with financial need who is pursuing a DMD or DDS degree; or for a dentist seeking graduate/postdoctoral dental specialty certification; or for a candidate pursuing a graduate degree in education or an education‑related field. This award honors Dr. Nicholas S. Hetos (Philadelphia dentist, founding member and past president of the Club) and Maria G. Hetos, EdD (educator and past Club president). Funded by their daughters Catherine Hetos Skefos and Stephanie Hetos Cocke. Award: $5,000.
- Nicholas Fisfis Memorial Scholarship — For graduate or postgraduate study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine. Established in 2016 and funded by Kathleen and Nicholas Fisfis. Award: $10,000.

Scholarships available to either undergraduate or graduate students
(Eligibility follows the requirements listed above for undergraduate or graduate applicants, as applicable.)

- Chios Society of Philadelphia Koraes Scholarship — For students of Chian descent, established in memory of Chios Society leaders and members. No financial information is required. Award: $3,000.
- Nicholas L. Gianopulos and Antoinette Manos Gianopulos Scholarship — For students pursuing degrees in civil engineering, architecture, or fine arts. Established in 2019 in memory of Nicholas L. Gianopulos and funded by Antoinette Gianopulos with friends and family. Award: $5,000. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need.
- Eleftheria Scholarship of the Philadelphia VFW (Eleftheria) Post 6633 — For children of members of VFW Eleftheria Post 6633 of Philadelphia and their descendants. Applicants must show good academic standing and provide evidence of Greek ancestry. This scholarship may be used for undergraduate or graduate study. The total annual award is $5,000; where two candidates are equally qualified, the amount may be split. No financial information is required and Eleftheria applicants are not subject to a residency requirement.

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