WHERE YOUR GIFTS HELP THE MOST
Scholarships
The College offers four full scholarships to entering students, accepted after Grade 7: two Polansky
Scholarships, one Oberbauer Scholarship, and one Gipson scholarship. These scholarships are funded
by the Tianaderrah Foundation of New York. They cover tuition fees for the five years that students are
enrolled at the American College.
The Polansky Scholarships are named for the Hon. Sol Polansky (1926-2016), former U.S. ambassador to
Bulgaria (1987-1990). Mr. Polansky was instrumental in helping the College reopen in 1992. Mr. Polansky
continued his deep involvement with institutions committed to the political, economic, and educational
development of Bulgaria. He served on the Boards of Trustees of the American College of Sofia as well as
the American University in Bulgaria.
The Oberbauer Scholarship is named for Joseph Oberbauer. An engineer and architect, Mr. Oberbauer
moved to Sofia in the 1890s from Austria. He was one of the principal architects of the city plan of modern
Sofia. He lived in Bulgaria until his death in the 1930s.
The Gipson scholarship is named for the Gipson family, extraordinary ACS friends and supporters, and
philanthropists of long-standing. Nellie and Robert Gipson share an abiding belief in the essential role of
education in building a civil and democratic society. Nellie Gipson worked at ACS in the 1990s and joined
the ACS Board of Trustees in 2004. Robert Gipson is the recipient of the Cyril and Methodius Medal for his
many years of leadership in support of Bulgarian education, science, and culture.
Financial Aid
Traditionally, the most popular giving category at ACS has been Financial Aid.
The tuition reduction programs are essential for promoting economic diversity at the American College
of Sofia.
30-40% of the entering 8th grade classes over the past two years have received
financial aid, between 10% and 100%
12.5% of tuition income goes to financial aid
Increased financial aid would allow more generous aid packages. That would attract a more diverse
student body and open bridges to an ever-increasing number of Bulgarian youths.
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