If young people are the future, then the National Italian American Foundation’s multiple scholarship programs are setting the stage for a brighter tomorrow.
Established in 1975, the NIAF has served the Italian American community—a community of over 20 million people—for nearly half a century. It would be difficult to name an area of the NIAF that does not sponsor initiatives.
It plays a role in governmental affairs through its Annual Anniversary Gala held at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, its congressional fellowship for students, its public policy forum at Capitol Hill, and its collaboration with the Italian American Congressional Delegation. It also celebrated the 160th anniversary of Italian American relations last year.
It supports the arts through a film forum partnership with the Russo brothers of Marvel fame and its architectural restoration projects. The sciences are represented through a grant for infectious disease researchers in honor of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci.
But its greatest commitment is too young Italian Americans. The NIAF has been awarding up to 100 merit-based and need-based scholarships ranging in value between $2,500 to $12,000 to students each year since 1981. The scholarships encompass a variety of fields of study, including international relations, music, STEM, and liberal arts, and are intended to be used towards tuition or housing.
The scholarships are competitive and there are multiple requirements to apply. Applicants must be enrolled in higher education, have a grade point average of at least 3.5—either overall or in their major—be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien, and have access to an active NIAF membership—either their own or a relative’s. They must also receive a letter of recommendation.
“We really like to see that they have gone above and beyond,” said Julia Streisfield Kennedy, NIAF’s Director of Scholarships, Grants, and Youth Engagement.
Kennedy estimates that the organization has administered nearly $10 million dollars in scholarships since it began. To Kennedy, supporting Italian American students is personal—she was once one herself.
“I was very fortunate to take Italian starting in high school,” said Kennedy, who went on to earn a master’s degree in Italian Language and Literature. “Lots of people don’t have that opportunity.”
She added that many colleges struggle to obtain funding for language programs as well. When Kennedy was part of the Italian Student Society at Penn State, “a lot of initiatives were funded from our own pockets.”
For that reason, the NIAF also offers scholarships valued at $1,500 to student leaders in Italian American clubs through its NIAF On Campus Program.
“It makes it possible for them to grow,” said Kennedy. “It’s really amazing to see what clubs are able to do with funding. Some have doubled their membership!”
Scholarship applicants are also asked if they have participated in the NIAF’s other youth initiatives, which include its Voyage to Italy. The Voyage to Italy is an all-expenses paid trip to Italy for 20 Italian American college students who have never visited their country of origin. It can feature sightseeing at famous world heritage sites, but its greatest appeal may be remarkably intimate.
“So many times, they go to these small towns in Italy and have this epiphany—this is where their nonna or nonni is from,” Kennedy said.
Interested students should be aware that the two scholarship programs operate on different timelines. NIAF On Campus began accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic year on April 15, 2022. The applications will close on September 9, with decision notifications arriving on September 16.
Individual scholarship applications for the current academic year have already closed. However, applications for next year open on December 1, 2022. They will close on March 1, 2023, with decision notifications arriving on May 1, 2023.
Kennedy encourages everyone to learn more about the NIAF and its programs and to share that knowledge. “We want Italian Americans to know we’re a resource for them,” she said. “We want them to be engaged with their heritage.”
“We’re very fortunate to have the jobs that we do,” she added. “Young Italian Americans are the future leaders of the community.”
Adelina Nita
Alexandra Adelina Nita is a former America Domani editorial intern currently pursuing a journalism degree at Baruch College. At Baruch, Adelina is a graphics editor for its newspaper The Ticker (whose writing and photography have been republished in Dollars & Cents and Dateline: CUNY) and a marketing director for its arts publication Encounters Magazine. Adelina has also worked as a journalist for the Queens Post and a vote entry operator for the Associated Press.