If you are a proud U.S. citizen with a strong Italian heritage, then you should take advantage of the numerous scholarships for Italians that are available to reduce the financial burden of attending higher education. As the nation’s fourth largest European ancestry group after Germans, Irish, and English, Italian Americans make up six percent of our population, which equals over 15.7 million people. Since the United States is a nation of immigrants and Italians tend to strongly define themselves by their cultural heritage, more organizations have sponsored scholarships specifically for students with close ties to the Italian-American community. Read on to learn about 25 of the greatest scholarships for Italians that can help you on the path towards achieving the “American Dream” within post-secondary education.
1. Alfred F. Samenga Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: July 19th
Each year, the Italian Americans in Government Services (IAIGS) will award the Alfred F. Samenga Jr. Memorial Scholarship for up to $2,000 to outstanding graduating high school seniors of Italian heritage who currently reside in Nassau of Suffolk County of New York. Along with the application, qualified candidates are asked to submit their high school transcript, SAT scores, list of community service and work experience, and one-page personal essay describing what it means to be an Italian-American and how they honor their heritage.
Contact
Alfred F. Samenga Jr. Memorial Scholarship
12 Kellum Street
South Huntington, NY 11746
(631) 223-3815
joefaith@optonline.net
2. Alfred Heil Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 1st
At the University of Cincinnati, the College of Nursing presents the Alfred Heil Scholarship Fund to provide up to $1,500 each spring semester to a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate nursing student of Italian-American descent. Qualified applicants must have full-time enrollment status, demonstrate financial need, and possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. It is important to note that students enrolled in the university’s distance learning nursing programs will not be eligible for the scholarship.
Contact
Alfred Heil Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 210038
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 558-3600
nursing@uc.edu
Scholarship Link
3. Augustus Society Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
As part of the Italian American Professionals & Executives Association, the Augustus Society Scholarship Program is available annually to offer $1,000 awards for currently enrolled college students of Italian descent to cover the costs of tuition, books, or other school supplies in post-secondary education. To qualify, candidates must be legal residents of Clark County in Nevada, be enrolled with full-time status in the upcoming fall, show financial need, and be actively involved in their local Italian American community.
Contact
Augustus Society Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 230016
Las Vegas, NV 89105
(720) 530-1380
email@augustus.org
4. Columbian Club Charitable Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: October 31st
Annually, the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation Scholarship is awarded for $2,500 to $5,000 to currently enrolled freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior-level undergraduate students of at least 25% Italian lineage who are permanent residents of Illinois. For consideration, applicants are required to attach a recent transcript, two letters of reference, verification of full-time enrollment, a passport-style photograph, and an original narrative essay of 500-750 words highlighting their Italian ancestry.
Contact
Columbian Club Charitable Foundation Scholarship
512 West Van Buren
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-0465
5. Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
As the largest Italian American service organization in the United States, UNICO National has established the Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship to grant a maximum of $5,000 to an extraordinary U.S. citizen of Italian heritage who is pursuing post-graduate education at an accredited medical school. Applicants must be active members of a UNICO chapter in California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin.
Contact
Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship
271 US Highway 46 West Suite F-103
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 808-0035
jntidona@unico.org
6. Edward Cardinal Egan Scholarship Program
Deadline: Varies
Granting a total of $1.8 million over the past nine years, the Edward Cardinal Egan Scholarship Program is operated through the Tri-State Italian-American Congress to provide financial assistance to graduating high school students of Italian descent in the Archdiocese of New York who are continuing their Catholic education in college. Candidates must include an official high school transcript, financial statement, list of previous work experience or extra-curricular activities, and 750-word essay discussing long-term goals.
Contact
Edward Cardinal Egan Scholarship Program
36 Farview Terrace
Paramus, NJ 07652
(800) 772-8884
info@trisiac.org
7. Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts
Deadline: February 15th
In honor of his contributions to the world of film and stage, the Columbus Citizens Foundation has created the Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts to enhance cultural exchange between Italy and America. In order to be eligible for up to $3,000, applicants must be majoring in the performing or fine arts, be of Italian descent, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be entering their freshman year in the fall, and live in a household where the total gross income does not exceed $25,000 per capita.
Contact
Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts
8 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 249-9923
jperillo@columbuscitizens.org
8. Henry Salvatori Scholarship for General Study
Deadline: February 28th
Through the Order Sons of Italy in America, the Henry Salvatori Scholarship for General Study is awarded to U.S. citizens of Italian descent who are in their senior year of high school and are planning to attend an undergraduate program at a four-year accredited institution. Selection will be based on applicants’ leadership abilities, academic performance, class rank, test scores, extra-curricular activities, work experience, letters of recommendation, and personal essay showing their understanding of the principles our nation was founded upon.
Contact
Henry Salvatori Scholarship for General Study
219 East Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-2900
nationaloffice@osia.org
Scholarship Link
9. Honorable John C. Manna Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Within the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean, the Honorable John C. Manna Scholarship is presented annually for $1,000 to seniors who have completed four years of an Italian Studies program at a public or non-public secondary school in New Jersey. Qualified applicants must be in the top 25% of their graduating class, be enrolled in higher education, be the child or grandchild of a member in good standing, and submit a typed essay describing what their Italian heritage means to them.
Contact
Honorable John C. Manna Scholarship
610 Palmer Avenue
West Allenhurst, NJ 07711
(732) 996-2114
johnnapolitani@aol.com
10. Italian-American Heritage Society Scholarship
Deadline: May 16th
Each year, the Italian-American Heritage Society of Notre Dame/Michiana will present a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship for outstanding local scholar-athletes of Italian descent who will be furthering their education at an accredited higher learning institution in the upcoming fall term. To qualify, candidates must submit a high school transcript, letter of acceptance, proof of Indiana residence, evidence of financial need, and a one-page typed essay discussing contributions to their school or community.
Contact
Italian-American Heritage Society Scholarship
131 South Taylor Street
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 245-5966
Scholarship Link
11. Italian Catholic Federation College Scholarship Program
Deadline: June 15th
For students in public or private Catholic high schools in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Illinois, the Italian Catholic Federation College Scholarship Program provides $2,500 in total funding over four years of undergraduate studies to Roman Catholic graduating high school seniors of Italian descent with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater. Recipients will be chosen based on scholastic achievement, financial need, leadership roles, charitable efforts, extracurricular activities, and faculty recommendations.
Contact
Italian Catholic Federation College Scholarship Program
8393 Capwell Drive Suite 110
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 633-9058
info@icf.org
12. John R. Mott Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
In an effort to give back to the region in Italy where its namesake was born, the John R. Mott Foundation Scholarship is granted annually for up to $10,000 to students native to the region of Calabria who will be attending a university or graduate school in the upcoming fall term in pursuit of a degree or professional certification in the United States. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and candidates’ intended future contributions to the region of Calabria in Italy.
Contact
John R. Mott Foundation Scholarship
1860 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 684-9984
info@mottscholarship.org
13. Justinian Society of Philadelphia Student Scholarships
Deadline: May 15th
As an association for attorneys of Italian ancestry in Philadelphia and the surrounding community, the Justinian Society Foundation awards Student Scholarships each year for at least $1,500 to help defray the expense of third-year tuition at accredited area law schools. Eligible applicants must have Italian parents or grandparents, be a member in good standing, demonstrate financial need, have an excellent academic record, exhibit the highest integrity, and show outstanding potential in the legal field.
Contact
Justinian Society of Philadelphia Student Scholarships
3320 South 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 545-0706
Justinian@Justinian.org
14. LIADO Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 31st
Annually, the Le Italo-Americane Di Oggi (Italian-American Women of Today) opens the LIADO Scholarship Program to full-time post-secondary students of Italian descent who are entering their semester, are a continuing undergraduate or graduate student in good standing, or are returning to school to seek a degree at an accredited institution this fall. Along with the application, candidates must submit an official transcript, recent letter of recommendation, brief resume, and four short 250-word essay responses.
Contact
LIADO Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 7487
Clearwater, FL 33758
(727) 785-4413
pres@liado.net
15. Louisville Society of Italian Americans Scholarship
Deadline: April 10th
For children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Society members in good standing for a minimum of two years, the Louisville Society of Italian Americans offers a $1,000 annual scholarship to reduce the costs of tuition for attending an accredited college or vocational school in the United States. Eligible candidates must be graduating high school seniors, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, submit a typed essay about their Italian heritage, and be available for a personal interview.
Contact
Louisville Society of Italian Americans Scholarship
146 Jackson Circle
P.O. Box 464
Louisville, Co 80027
email@louisvilleitalianclub.org
16. Mauro and Josephine A. Maietta Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
Through the Association of Italian American Educators (AIAE), the Mauro and Josephine A. Maietta Scholarship is designed to cover the tuition costs for students of Italian-American heritage to attend the Programma Ponte for first-hand experience in Rome, Italy. Qualified applicants must be between 19-24 years old, be undergraduate students at an accredited four-year U.S. institution, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have one parent or grandparent of Italian ancestry, and possess proficiency in the Italian language.
Contact
Mauro and Josephine A. Maietta Scholarship
Hofstra University
New Academic Building Suite 321
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600
ponteapps@gmail.com
17. Men’s Italian American Civic League Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
For $2,000 annually, the Men’s Italian American Civic League Scholarship is granted to outstanding male graduating high school seniors in Utah of recent Italian ancestry who will be admitted as a matriculated student in a higher learning institution in the upcoming fall. Recipients will be chosen based on ACT or SAT scores, exceptional high school academic abilities, involvement in extra-curricular activities, Italian heritage, and active participation in an Italian cultural organization.
Contact
Men’s Italian American Civic League Scholarship
2417 East Kensington Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 582-2282
info@utahitalians.com
Scholarship Link
18. National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 1st
Ranging in value from $2,000 to $12,000 each, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) presents annual scholarships to Italian-American undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, medical, dental, and legal students across the United States who demonstrate outstanding potential and achievements. Also, there are scholarships available for NIAF members from any ethnic background who are majoring in Italian language, Italian studies, or a related field.
Contact
National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
1860 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-0600
information@niaf.org
19. National Leadership Grants
Deadline: February 28th
Within the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), the National Leadership Grants are awarded annually for $4,000 to $25,000 apiece nationwide to U.S. citizens of Italian descent who will be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a four-year accredited academic institution for the upcoming fall semester full-time. In order to be one of the lucky 12 winners, candidates must have at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent, submit a sealed official transcript, and send a $30 non-refundable processing fee.
Contact
National Leadership Grants
219 East Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-2900
nationaloffice@osia.org
20. National Organization of Italian American Women Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
Every year, the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) has presented scholarships to female matriculated undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree full-time at an accredited U.S. institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. While all applicants are to have one parent of Italian or Italian-American descent, preference will be given to students who have demonstrated excellence in studying the Italian language and/or culture, especially within the CUNY system.
Contact
National Organization of Italian American Women Scholarships
25 West 43rd Street Suite 1005
New York, NY 10036
(212) 642-2003
noiaw@noiaw.org
21. Peter Cocoziello Sr. Scholarship
Deadline: May 16th
With the primary purpose of promoting the Italian language and culture, the Center for Italian & Italian American Culture Inc. has created the Peter Cocoziello Sr. Scholarship to provide $5,000 to graduating high school seniors of Italian-American heritage who will be pursuing a degree in post-secondary education. Eligible applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, write an original 500-word essay explaining what role Italian heritage has played in their life, demonstrate financial need, and attach an official high school transcript.
Contact
Peter Cocoziello Sr. Scholarship
411 Pompton Avenue Suite 5
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 571-1995
info@ciiac.org
Scholarship Link
22. Robert L. Facker Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Sponsored by the Italian-American Society of Peoria in memory of the six-time past president and member for over five decades, the Robert L. Facker Memorial Scholarship is granted annually for $900 to lower tuition costs, textbooks, lab fees, and other expenses associated with attending Illinois Central College (ICC) in East Peoria. To qualify, candidates must be of Italian descent, be children or grandchildren of Society members deemed in good standing, and be graduating high school seniors interested in advancing their education.
Contact
Robert L. Facker Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 6276
Peoria, IL 61601
(309) 694-5422
Info@ICC.edu
23. San Gennaro Foundation Italian-American Student Scholarship
Deadline: August 31st
In keeping with the principles that were established by the patron saint of Naples who worked tirelessly to help those in need, the San Gennaro Foundation offers the Italian-American Student Scholarship each year to U.S. citizens of Italian descent who will be enrolling full-time in a recognized junior college, college, or university. Applicants must submit official transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, a one-page essay on influence of Italian culture in their life, a short biography of future career goals, and a recommendation.
Contact
San Gennaro Foundation Italian-American Student Scholarship
16217 Kittridge Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 508-0082
info@sangennarofoundation.org
24. Victor J. Cacciatore and Elgin Sweeping Scholarship
Deadline: September 27th
Through a considerate donation made by the founder of the largest independently owned sweeping company in the Midwest, the Victor J. Cacciatore and Elgin Sweeping Scholarship has been established by the Italian American Executives of Transportation (IAET) to graduating high school students residing in the state of Illinois. Qualified recipients must demonstrate academic achievement, be of Italian-American heritage, be enrolling full-time in a post-secondary institution, and have significant financial need.
Contact
Victor J. Cacciatore and Elgin Sweeping Scholarship
129 South Spruce Avenue Suite 308
Wooddale, IL 60191
(630) 350-1987
scholarship@iaet-chicago.org
25. William C. Davini Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
As the largest Italian American service organization in the United States, UNICO National offers the William C. Davini Scholarship for $6,000 annually to graduating high school seniors who will be attending an accredited college or university program in the United States as full-time matriculated undergraduate students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have Italian heritage, demonstrate financial need, show academic promise, and reside in the home state of an active UNICO chapter.
Contact
William C. Davini Scholarship
271 US Highway 46 West Suite F-103
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 808-0035
jntidona@unico.org
Although often overlooked, a student’s cultural heritage can offer a direct line to valuable financial aid resources that will help to cover the rising costs of pursuing an academic degree in higher education. If you are able to trace your family’s roots to specific regions of Italy, then be sure to check out these scholarships for Italians for receiving the financial support to your professional goals.
