NEW YORK – For the 10th consecutive year, FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism will award full and partial financial aid travel grants to qualifying campers participating in the 2017 Ionian Village summer camp program.

These are primarily need-based financial aid awards, but each applicant’s academic performance will also be factored into the review process.

Each year, Ionian Village participants travel across Greece and visit significant sites of Greek history, culture, and the Greek Orthodox faith.

At the end of each program, the campers return home with strengthened faith, lifelong friendships, and an expanded appreciation for the Greek Orthodox Church and Hellenic culture.

Elaine Jaharis, a Founder of the FAITH Endowment, Ionian Village alumna, and Chair of the Committee spoke on behalf of the Founders of FAITH: “We are sincerely pleased to offer this transformative and spiritually enriching experience to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to connect to their Hellenic roots and Orthodox faith.”

The application is available at thefaithendowment.org/travelgrant for participants of Session One and Session Two, ages 15-18. Completed applications must be received in the mail by February 3. Priority is given to high school seniors.

Applicants are encouraged to follow FAITH on Facebook (facebook.com/faithendowment) for program updates and award notification timelines.

In 2016, FAITH awarded 45 FAITH Travel Grants to Ionian Village to young people from all metropolises across the United States who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to travel to Greece.

“FAITH supplied me with the grant that made the dream of Ionian Village attainable for me. I am so thankful to have received such a blessing. Because of FAITH’s generosity, I was able to experience miracles, touch saints and make the best connections with my Greek Orthodox peers,” said Anna from Illinois, a 2016 grant recipient.

In addition to underwriting financial aid travel grants, FAITH sponsors the “FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence” program each year.

This competitive merit-based scholarship series awards college scholarships to high school seniors ranked within the top of their graduating class. For more information about this and other programs, visit thefaithendowment.org.

General information about FAITH is available at (212) 644-6960 and [email protected].