Attention: High School Seniors in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, and Nassau Counties, Florida

Announcement

The Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791 Jacksonville, Florida of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) is pleased to congratulate you on your rapidly approaching high school graduation and your interest in furthering your education through college or university. OSDIA is soliciting applications for several one-thousand-dollar scholarships for deserving students with verified Italian familial lineage to promote bachelor's level education.

Historically, the Sons of Italy have awarded over fifty thousand dollars in scholarship funds to deserving students of Italian descent throughout Florida. In addition to our local and state scholarship programs, our national organization also awards numerous grants each year. Specifically, our National Leadership Grant Competition offers ten to thirteen merit-based general scholarships and one prestigious Henry Salvatori Scholarship ranging from four to twenty-five thousand dollars. For more details about the National Leadership Grant Competition, please visit the national Sons of Italy website at www.osia.org.

Scholarship Application Information

The following information is provided to assist you in developing and submitting your application for the academic scholarship. Documents required for consideration include:

• Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
• Scholarship Checklist
• Certification with Signature

Questions regarding the requested items should be directed to the OSDIA Scholarship Committee Chair:

Ms. Lucy Giardino Cortese, Med
1701 The Greens Way Unit #1611
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Email: lgcortese@att.net
Phone: 904.208.0032

The OSDIA Scholarship Committee looks forward to receiving and confirming receipt of your application. Award decisions are expected to be announced on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

It is the goal of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America to promote, enhance, and encourage the study of Italian Heritage and Culture. This scholarship program is designed to benefit worthy students of Italian descent attending high school in the North Florida area who exhibit admirable qualities befitting these awards. Emphasis is placed on the “whole student concept” – including scholarship, leadership, and participation in local, community, church, and athletic activities. Unlike many scholarship awards, OSDIA awards recognize balanced overall excellence.

Basic Criteria:

• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen and able to provide documentation of Italian family lineage.
• Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (not weighted).
• Scholarship recipients must be accepted as full-time, degree-seeking students at an accredited community college, college, or university and enroll immediately following high school graduation (excluding summer sessions).

Finances

Scholarship funds will be released by the OSDIA Lodge Chairperson to the bursar or financial aid office of the receiving institution upon receipt of both an acceptance letter from the institution and correspondence indicating the awardee’s intent to register for classes. If there is a change of plans by the awardee, the recipient must immediately notify the Lodge Scholarship Chairperson so the funds may be transferred to the appropriate institution. Similarly, any unused funds must be returned to the Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791 Jacksonville, Florida if the student terminates studies and does not transfer to a different institution. Exceptional circumstances may be considered in writing on a case-by-case basis by the OSDIA Scholarship Committee.