Skip to content

National Organization of Italian American Women

Programma di borse di studio!

Empowering Italian-American Women Through Education

Unlock the doors to higher education with NOIAW’s Scholarship Program. Each year, we proudly award 4-6 scholarships to deserving Italian American Women, enabling them to chase their dreams of higher education. Join us in our mission to empower and support the future leaders of our community. Don’t miss the chance to apply and turn your academic aspirations into reality!

Scholarship Program

Empowering Italian American Women Through Education. Each year, NOIAW awards four to six scholarships, providing the opportunity for Italian American women to pursue their higher education dreams. Below are the 2026 edition’s details.

Eligibility

The NOIAW scholarship program is open to female undergraduate or graduate students, currently enrolled at an accredited US academic institution.

Undergraduate students must be enrolled at a four-year college or university.

High school students are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
  • Applicants must have at least one parent of Italian descent or be majoring in Italian language or Italian American/Diaspora Studies.
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • Undergraduates must have completed a minimum of 60 credits and graduate students a minimum of 12 credits.
  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need by submitting a copy of relevant documents (i.e., FAFSA, tuition statement).

Application Process

Before filling out our online application form, please review the eligibility
requirements and make sure to submit all required materials.

ALL required materials must be sent in pdf format, including recommendation letters and transcripts.
Recommendation letters must contain a signature.

Required materials:

  • A two-page essay* (double-spaced) that addresses the question: How has being an Italian American impacted you, personally and professionally?
  • College transcript/s
  • Student Aid Report (FAFSA or a letter from the college)
  • Curriculum Vitae or resume
  • Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional)
  • A $25 non-refundable processing fee, payable via check, online (please add a note indicating “2026 Scholarship application fee”) or via Zelle (noiaw@noiaw.org)

*Personal statements provided to NOIAW will not be returned and will become the property of NOIAW.

NOIAW takes no responsibility for incomplete or late applications.

Details

NOIAW requests that all application materials be sent digitally using the upload link provided; hard copy will not be accepted.

Preferential consideration will be given to eligible applicants who have demonstrated excellence in the fields of study of Italian language or Italian American/Diaspora studies as well as to current students of The City University of New York (CUNY).

The Scholarship Application deadline is Thursday, April 2, 2026.

All applicants are encouraged to be present at NOIAW’s scholarship awards presentation, which will be held in late Spring on a date to be announced.

Deadlines

The scholarship application deadline is Thursday, April 2, 2026.

All applicants will be notified by Monday, April 13, 2026.

Winners should try to be present at NOIAW’s scholarship awards presentation, which will be held in late Spring on a date to be announced.

Apply

Please complete the application here.

2025 Awardees

Testimonials

“Being Italian American, I get to be more than a passive consumer of societal and cultural norms… allows me to contribute to society in a way that adds value to the human experience and encourages the celebration of differences in identity.”

— Leah Buffalino

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Accelerated BS in Nursing

Donated by The National Organization of Italian American Women

Nadia is a girl with long brown hair, wearing a dress shirt

In my professional life being Italian has made me a passionate and hard worker. I see my family in the restaurant and their passion, and it makes me so immensely proud. I take so much pride in my culture and even in my own schoolwork and projects. […] Therefore, if you asked me how being Italian has affected my life, I would respond to you, “How has it not?”

— Nadia Santo

School of Visual Arts

BFA | Film

Donated by Judith Grimaldi

Melissa is a young girl with long brown hair, wearing a sleeveless light blue blouse

“Learning Italian felt like reclaiming a part of myself and opening a door to new ways of communicating and thinking; it expanded my understanding of cultural identity, and connected me to a global community of Italian and Italian-American artists, scholars, and storytellers.”

— Melissa Marino

Columbia University

MFA | Theatre Management and Producing

Donated by The National Organization of Italian American Women in memory of former Board member Donna de Matteo

Juliette is a young lady with long brown hair, smiling at the camera

“As an Italian American, I value family traditions and opportunities for strengthening familial bonds… This theme of taking pride in one’s hard work echoes throughout my family’s history.”

— Juliette Guarino Berg

Teachers College, Columbia University

PhD in Science Education

Donated by The National Organization of Italian American Women in memory of former President Barbara Gerard