A decision has been announced by the Board of the John S. Latsis Ileians’ Scholarships Foundation to grant extraordinary financial assistance, in the amount of four thousand euros (€4,000) per student, to all Ileian students attending Greek universities (AEI) and technical colleges (TEI) who are from regions in the prefecture of Ileia that were hit by this summer’s extensive fires.

The total expenditure entailed in this special assistance will be covered by financing from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation to the John S. Latsis Ileians’ Scholarships Foundation, within the context of the broader benefits that the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, in conjunction with the Latsis Group and Eurobank EFG, have announced for the reconstruction of the regions and relief of the families afflicted by fires in the prefecture of Ileia.
This assistance will be paid in two equal installments for the academic year 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

1. Beneficiaries

Α. All undergraduate students at Greek Universities and Technical Colleges who registered in the academic years from 2004-2005 to 2007-2008 and who are graduates of General Senior High Schools (as well as Technical Training Schools or Evening Schools) of the following fire-stricken municipalities of the prefecture of Ileia -or were permanently residing there during their attendance in the last year of senior high school-. 

Municipalities: Alifira, Andritsena, Ancient Olympia, Zaharo, Iardano, Penia, Skillous, Figalia, Foloi and Oleni.

All undergraduate students in Greek universities and technical colleges who registered in the academic years from 2004-2005 to 2007-2008 and who, during their attendance in the last year of senior high school, lived in the following municipal districts that were struck by fire:

a) In the Municipality of Pirgos: Ayios Georgios, Ambelonas, Varvasena, Eleonas, Kolirio, Lasteika, Palaiovarvasena, Salmoni and Skafidia, as well as the settlement of Lambetio.
b) In the municipality of Amaliada: Geraki, Dafni, Dafniotissa, Keramidia, Krioneri, Peristeri and Savalia.
c) In the municipality of Vouprasia: Aetorahi and Xenia.
d) In the municipality of Lasionas: Antronio.
e) In the municipality of Vartholomio: Kalyvia, Myrtountia and Lygia.
f) In the municipality of Lehena: Borsio.
g) In the municipality of Volakas: Alfeioussa.
h) In the municipality of Traganos: Simiza.
i) In the municipality of Gastouni: Palaiochorio.

B. If the length of study foreseen by the programme of studies at each Faculty or Department is more than four (4) academic years (for example, Medical School, Departments of the National Technical University etc.), students of such Faculties or Departments who entered the relevant Educational Institutions in the academic years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 are considered eligible to apply for the financial assistance. 
 
All undergraduate students who will enter Greek Universities and Technical Colleges in the academic year 2008-2009 and fall within one of the above categories. Regarding financial assistance for these students, a relevant announcement will follow in September of 2008. 

The fire-stricken areas were defined on the basis of two documents from the Prefectural Administration of Ileia, with the following protocol numbers: 1530/2007 and 1702/2007, respectively.

2. Submission of supporting documents

• Completed application form for participation in the programme of financial assistance, with detailed particulars for communication purposes (address, telephone number, e-mail address). An application form is available on the Foundation website at the following address: www.latsis-scholarships.gr
• Certified photocopy of senior high school leaving certificate.
• Certificate from the Secretariat of the Faculty or Department of the university or technical college confirming the academic year in which the student first registered and the semester currently being attended.
• Certification by the relevant police or other municipal authority showing the student’s permanent residence.
• Photocopy of the student’s national identity card.
• Account number in the Eurobank EFG branch in which the financial assistance should be deposited, and which must be in the name of the student either alone or with another person. 

The documents should be submitted to: John S. Latsis Ileians’ Scholarships Foundation, Xenias 4, 145 62 Kifissia, with the indication on the envelope: “Extraordinary financial assistance to Fire Victims”.

The deadline for submission of documents is 5 November 2008.

3. Payment of Extraordinary Financial Assistance

The emergency financial assistance will be paid in two installments of two thousand euros (€2,000) each for the academic years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 providing the beneficiary retains his or her student status on the basis of the length of study foreseen by the programme of studies at each Faculty or Department of the relavant Educational Institution. In particular, students who will be admitted to universities or technical colleges in the academic year 2008-2009 will be entitled to the assistance for that academic year only.

Early in December 2007 the Board of the Foundation will announce to the Press the total number of students who will receive this assistance for the academic year 2007-2008. Their names will be posted on the websites of the John S. Latsis Ileians’ Scholarships Foundation, at the following address: www.latsis-scholarships.gr.  At the same time, the beneficiaries will be informed personally about payment of the financial assistance, on the basis of the communication data provided on the application form for participation.

If there are any questions about this extraordinary financial assistance, interested parties can contact the Secretariat of the Foundation by phone at: 210-8010331 and 210-8010540, or by e-mail at [email protected].