San Martin resident awarded scholarship

ALISSA WILSON of San Martin has received the National Italian American Foundation Jim Cantalupo Scholarship. Wilson attends Santa Clara University and is pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in Italian.
Since its inception 40 years ago, the scholarship program has grown from four scholarships of $250 each to dozens of annual scholarships ranging in value from $2,000 to $12,000, each in the Italian language and culture, medicine, engineering, business, law, music, and other specialized fields.  Last year, the average scholarship to students
in the United States was worth more than $6,000.
“Since 1975, NIAF has awarded millions of dollars in merit-based scholarships and cultural grants to undergraduate, graduate, post graduate, medical and law students from across the country. NIAF values the importance of education and the role it plays in helping deserving Italian American students build promising futures,” said Anita Bevacqua McBride, co-chair of the Foundation’s Education and Grants Committee. Scholarship applicants must be a NIAF member or have a parent or guardian who is a member of the Foundation. Applicants must be enrolled in or entering an accredited college or university in the United States in the fall of 2016. Students must be of Italian descent, with at least one ancestor who has emigrated from Italy. Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.  IAF scholarship recipients are selected based on academic merit and have an average GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 to apply.
Contributors to the NIAF scholarship program include individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the United States and Italy.
Apply online for a 2016-2017 NIAF scholarship at www.niaf.org/scholarships.  Application deadline is March 1, 2016. NIAF scholarship winners will be notified May 2, 2016.
For more information on establishing a NIAF scholarship, contact NIAF Director of Programs Gabriella Mileti at

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. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.