Scholarships
Each year, Italian-American organizations award tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to worthy high school and college students. The following is a listing of this year's scholarship offerings, and how to apply for them. Most scholarships have attendance and other requirements, so gather your applications early and study them carefully before applying!
Amici Naperville Area Italian American Club
One $1,000 merit-based scholarship awarded to a qualifying high school senior of Italian descent who either attends a Naperville-area school or is related to an Amici member. Deadline: March 31. Presentation: June. Visit www.amiciclub.org or contact Mary Piccin at 630-961-2031 or mpfur@aol.com.
Benedictine University
One scholarship awarded to an older Italian-American woman beginning or returning to college to study English, business or education at Benedictine University in Lisle. Contact William Carroll at 630-929-6000 or wcarroll@ben.edu.
Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization
Several $2,000 scholarships awarded to high school seniors and current college students based on academic achievement and need. Deadline: March 15. Presentation: April. Contact Frank Giudice at 630-941-4700 or frankgiudice@fbgcorporation.com.
Columbian Club Charitable Foundation
Several scholarships of various amounts awarded to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate graduate students of Italian descent who are permanent residents of the state of Illinois. Deadline: Oct. 31. Presentation: January. Visit www.columbianclub.org.
Italian American Executives of Transportation
Several scholarships of various amounts averaging $1,000 awarded to high school seniors based on academic achievement and need. Italian ancestry is a plus. Deadline: Sept. 1. Recipients must attend the IAET dinner dance on Nov. 16. Visit www.iaet-chicago.org or contact Charlotte Sorci at 630-272-3947 or csorci@comcast.net.
Italian Catholic Federation
Several $400 scholarships awarded to high school students who are of Italian heritage and Catholic faith (or are children of non-Italian ICF members), and who meet academic, financial need and character requirements. Grants may be renewed for second, third and fourth terms for $500, $600 and $1,000, respectively. Scholarships are also available to university students majoring in Italian. Deadline: March 15. Visit www.icf.org.
Italian Cultural Center
Several scholarships of various amounts awarded to non-professional vocal students between the ages of 17 and 26 who are studying with qualified teachers or institutions. Application deadline: Oct. 9. Competition: Oct. 19. Awards dinner: Nov. 10. Contact 708-345-5933 or info@casaitaliachicago.org.
Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
One $2,000 scholarship awarded to a student of Italian ancestry who is either a high school senior accepted into a college with the intent of establishing a major in journalism or communications, or an undergraduate student majoring in journalism or communications. Deadline and presentation to be announced. Winners must attend presentation. Visit www.jccia.com or contact 708-450-9050 or jcc@jccia.com.
Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
One $2,000 scholarship presented to a male high school senior of Italian ancestry. Deadline and presentation to be announced. Winners must attend presentation. Visit www.jccia.com or contact 708-450-9050 or jcc@jccia.com.
Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Women's Division
Several $2,000 scholarships awarded to female students of Italian ancestry. Deadline: April 1. Presentation: May 1. Visit www.jccia.com or contact 708-450-9050 or jcc@jccia.com.
Justinian Society of Lawyers
Ten to 20 scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 awarded to law school students of Italian ancestry based on academic ability and need. Deadline: Early September. Presentation: Late September. Visit www.justinians.org/scholarship-programs or contact Anthony Farace at 312-255-8550 or amf@amari-locallo.com.
Justinian Society of Lawyer's DuPage Chapter
One or two scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 awarded to students of Italian ancestry in their second or third years of law school. Deadline: March 1. Presentation: To be announced. Recipients must attend presentation. Apply in writing to Marsha H. Cellucci, 1155 S. Washington, Naperville, Ill. 60540.
The National Italian American Foundation
More than 80 scholarships awarded to students of Italian descent or of any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian-American studies or a related field. Recipients are selected based on academic merit, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Deadline: March 1. Presentation: May. Visit www.niaf.org/scholarships. To establish a NIAF scholarship, contact Alice Bernardi, NIAF director of finance, at abernardi@niaf.org or 202-939-3111.
Sons of Italy Foundation
Ten to 12 merit-based scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 awarded to students of at least one-quarter Italian ancestry who are either college-bound high school seniors, full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in accredited four-year institutions of higher education. Deadline: Feb. 28. Presentation: May. Visit www.osia.org/students/scholarships or contact scholarships@osia.org or 202-547-5106.
Sons of Italy Foundation, Illinois
Several $1,000 scholarships awarded to students of full or partial Italian ancestry graduating from high school. Financial need, scholastic record, activities showing character and leadership are the criteria. Personal statements and faculty recommendations are required. Deadline: July 1. Presentation: October. Only written requests will be honored. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request to Illinois Sons of Italy Foundation, 9447 W. 144th Place, Orland Park, Ill. 60462.
Taylor Street Archives
One $250 scholarship awarded to a student who submits the best paper, research or otherwise, about the Taylor Street neighborhood and the Jane Addams' Hull House. Visit www.taylorstreetarchives.com.
UNICO Chicago South Chapter
Two merit-based scholarships of $750. Contact James Purrazzo at purrazzo@ameritech.net.
UNICO National
Four undergraduate scholarships of $1,500 per year for four years, one graduate school scholarship of $1,500 per year for up to four years, one medical scholarship of $5,000, one nursing scholarship of $2,500 and one literary scholarship of $1,000. Applications must be submitted through a local UNICO chapter. Deadline: April 15. Presentation: August. Contact Joan Tidona at jntidona@unico.org, or visit www.unico.org