The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is pleased to announce it has awarded more than a quarter of a million dollars in direct aid to outstanding Italian Americans in 2021 alone. “As the premier Italian American organization, we are very pleased to have been able to award $252,500 in scholarships and fellowships to Italian American youth,” said Chairman Robert E. Carlucci. “We are dedicated to investing in the next generation of leaders and upholding the Foundation’s mission of protecting and promoting Italian American heritage.”

Since its founding in 1975, NIAF has given millions of dollars to support Italian American students in tandem with the expansion of its scholarships and fellowships programs. NIAF offers funding in the fields of Italian language and culture, medicine, engineering, business, law, music, research, public policy, along with other specialized fields.

“As an out-of-state student, I must rely on scholarships to attend university in Arizona,” said Fiona Flaherty, recipient of the 2021-2022 Agnes E. Vaghi Scholarship. “It is because of your generous support that I will be able to continue to excel as a journalist and proud Italian American citizen.”

“This is the first scholarship I’ve ever been awarded, and it means so much to me,” said Jill Martuscello, recipient of the 2021-2022 NIAF Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Scholarship. “I am the first in my immediate family to ever graduate from college, and the first of my 27 cousins as well. Your kindness and support will allow me to realize my dreams and participate in the Master’s Program in Italian Culture at Middlebury College.”

This year, we are pleased to have offered the following scholarships and fellowships, ranging in value from $1,000 to $50,000:

Agnes E. Vaghi Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding female Italian American undergraduate student majoring in Italian, English, literature or journalism. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Angela Gajarsa Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student who is an incoming freshman. This student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Antonio & Felicia Marinelli Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding student (undergraduate or graduate) who is studying at the American University of Rome. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Assunta Luchetti Martino Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student who is majoring in International Relations. This student should have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Filomena C. Peloro Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding Italian American students (undergraduate and graduate). This student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Frank J. Corsaro Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student who is majoring in political science, law (either in law school or declared pre-law in undergraduate school) or medicine (either in medical school or majoring in a medical related field in undergraduate school). This student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Giargiari Medical Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American medical student (either in medical school or declared pre-med in undergraduate school) with a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

John A. Volpe Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student who is originally from New England. This student should have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Merrill Lynch Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student majoring in business or a business-related field originally from the New York area. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Mike & Marion Marinelli Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student who is studying at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American incoming freshman, undergraduate or graduate student. Preference is given to students with a permanent residence in Florida who are not receiving other financial aid. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Gabelli Foundation Scholarship
Awarded to an Italian graduate student from Bocconi University who is attending Columbia University’s School of Business to complete a Master of Business Administration degree. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Intel Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student majoring in chemical or electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. This student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Jack Valenti Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American (undergraduate or graduate) student majoring in film or a related field. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Jim Cantalupo Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student majoring in Italian, Spanish, or business. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

NIAF Maaco Enterprises Inc. Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student (undergraduate or graduate) who is originally from Pennsylvania. This student must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

The George Randazzo Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American undergraduate student athlete enrolled full time at an NCAA or NAIA school, or a club sports athlete, or a student who is majoring in a sports-related field (i.e., sports medicine, sports broadcasting, and sports management). This student must have a 3.5 GPA (or the equivalent) or higher. Preference is given to applicants with demonstrated financial need.

The Louis A. Caputo, Jr. Legal Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student who is majoring in law (either in law school or declared pre-law in undergraduate school). This student should have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

The Marnell Foundation Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American student (undergraduate or graduate) originally from the state of Nevada. Preference is given to those students who are majoring in International Relations or a related field. This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

Vincent Zecchino Medical Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding Italian American medical student (either in Medical School or declared pre-med in undergraduate school). This student must have a GPA of 3.5 (or the equivalent) or higher.

The NIAF Fauci Fellowships
Inaugurated in 2021 in recognition of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci’s lifesaving work, the Fauci Fellowships awards two $50,000 post-doctoral research grants, one to an Italian researcher and one to an Italian American researcher who have completed all the requirements for a Ph.D. in a field related to biological science and medicine. Each grant supports an Italian researcher working in Italy and an Italian American researcher working in the United States to support research in infectious diseases to help establish both recipients’ independent careers.

The NIAF Congressional Fellowships
Each fall, the Foundation places up to five outstanding Italian American college students and recent graduates in the offices of members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation (IACD) to encourage and support the next generation of Italian American leadership. NIAF award fellows with a stipend of $1,000 for their work.

More information on NIAF’s scholarship program, including eligibility criteria and application process can be found at www.niaf.org/scholarships. 

NIAF Members’ generous support make the Foundation’s robust scholarships and fellowships possible. Invest in the future of the Italian American legacy and community by joining NIAF today: www.niaf.org/join.