photo of student walking on campus in the fall

Scholarships

The Italian Program offers a wide range of financial support opportunities thanks to the generosity of organizations and private individuals whose donations sustain the study of Italian language and culture. The program grants scholarships and awards, as well as internships and assistantships. A whole array of other opportunities are offered through the Department of World Languages and Cultures at large as well as other offices on campus; additionally, students can apply for scholarship programs outside the university.

Below you will find information regarding the different types of scholarships offered as well as their eligibility requirements and amounts awarded. Specific information regarding deadlines and applications will be emailed to all currently enrolled students during the semester. For questions or assistance concerning these scholarships please contact Dr. Gina Miele.

Note that additional scholarships may be announced during the Spring semester.

I. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED ON CAMPUS THROUGH THE ITALIAN PROGRAM

The spring 2023 scholarship deadline for the submission is Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced mid-March.
Application: Italian Scholarships & Internships 2022-23

* Award priority will be given to students who have declared or intend to declare the Italian major, double major, minor or Language, Business & Culture majors. Students who intend to declare an Italian major or minor should complete the Change of Major form on Nest before submitting an application.

Unless otherwise noted, scholarships will be deposited directly to the recipient’s university account.

1. The Cav. Joseph Coccia, Jr. Memorial Intermediate Italian Scholarships (2 for $500)

For two students enrolled in an Italian class who demonstrate high academic achievement. Priority will be given to students at the intermediate level.

2. Coccia Foundation Award for Italian Major of High Achievement (1 for $1,000 or 2 for $500)

Awarded to students enrolled in the Italian Major who demonstrate high achievement in the Italian Program.

3.The Columbian Foundation Italian Award (1 for $1,000 or 2 for $500)

Awarded to one or two students who major in Italian.

4. Italian American Club of Four Seasons of Great Notch Student Achievement Award (2 for $500)

Awarded to two students who demonstrate high achievement in Italian.

5. The Italian Program, in conjunction with the Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America, and the Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies is pleased to announce two Italian Internships for the academic year.
  • Coccia-Inserra Italian Student Internship for Fall semester: 1 Internship, $1,000)
  • Inserra-Coccia International Italian Student Internship for Spring semester: 1 Internship, $1,000)

For each internship, we seek a motivated Italian Major who will be enrolled in an Italian class during the semester of the internship to assist the Director of the Coccia Institute and the Italian faculty for seven hours per week. Duties include assisting with planning Coccia Institute events (Teaching Italian Symposium in Fall and Italian Language and Culture Day and Italian Scholarship Award Ceremony in Spring), assisting Italian Faculty with grading and other informal assessments, preparing materials for the Italian language program, and tutoring and engaging with students during and outside of class time using technological tools.

Intern Responsibilities:

  • Report directly to the Coccia Associate (and Director when necessary);
  • Assist in the planning and execution of events (including the annual Teaching Italian Symposium for Fall interns and Italian Scholarship & Awards Ceremony for Spring interns, as well as new programming initiatives);
  • Design and create social media posts that align with specific campaigns;
  • Contribute research to the production of Sprague Library’s Coccia Italian American Collection and the Coccia Menu Collection;
  • Perform general administrative duties including creating spreadsheets, corresponding to emails, and reviewing memos/reports;
  • Conduct research/data for topics of interest regarding Italian and Italian American culture to be used in short blog posts;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Payment for each internship will be awarded to the recipient at the end of the semester upon completion of duties. For payment information, contact Dr. Mark Rotella at the Coccia Institute.

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED ON CAMPUS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES & THE DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH AND LATINO STUDIES

1. Barbara Carbon Scholarship for Study Abroad (1 for $1,000)

This award will be made to a Spanish & Latino Studies student in 2023 and to a student in the Italian Program in 2024. The Department of Spanish and Latino Studies and Department of World Languages and Cultures award is offered on an alternating basis to Spanish and Italian students. Awarded this year to a student enrolled in a Spanish class who will attend a Study Abroad Program.

2. Conrad Schmitt Scholarship

2 Undergraduate awards for $5,000; application TBA in Spring.

This scholarship is available to full-time prospective juniors and seniors majoring in Arabic, French, German, or Italian. Preference will be given to a non-native speaker studying the foreign language as their second language. This scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement and financial need.

Minimum cumulative GPA required: 3.0

Applications should be left in hard copy only in Conrad Schmitt Hall 222 for the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

Conrad Schmitt Scholarship Guidelines

3. The Jean McVean Undergraduate Scholarship

2 Undergraduate awards for $2500; application and deadline TBA in Spring

This scholarship is available to full-time Arabic, French, German and Italian majors in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Preference will be given to students who are entering their junior or senior year in the eligible major, and will take into account both the academic merit and financial need of applicants.

Minimum cumulative GPA required: 3.0

Please note: A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form must be on file with the MSU Financial Aid Office for students to be eligible for this award.

Applications should be sent to the Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

III. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED OFF CAMPUS (local or national competitions)

1. Italian Teachers Association of New Jersey (itaNJ) Borsa di Studio per studenti universitari

Scholarship for College Students
$1,000 scholarship awarded to a college student who is pursuing a major or minor in Italian. Awarded to students with an academic standing of 3.7 in Italian and an overall GPA of 3.7.

Deadline: March 28, 2023. Please submit the following requirements to: Anna Ranieri, aranieri@comcast.net

Requirements:
*The student should be involved in extracurricular activities and academic clubs such as the Italian Club and the Italian Honor Society or other activities that may demonstrate leadership roles.
*A student essay, written in English, should include the following information:
– why he/she is the ideal candidate for the award;
– how the study of Italian has impacted him/her;
– his/her commitment to the study of Italian and future plans;
*The application form submitted by a current or past professor of the Italian Department of their college;
*Student transcript

2. Passaic Valley Chapter of UNICO Award for Study Abroad 2022-2023

Deadline: March 6, 2023
The Passaic Valley Chapter of UNICO Inc. will award a Grant valued at $1,000 to a student attending accredited study abroad programs, in Italy, associated with Montclair State University. The purpose of the Passaic Valley’s Study Abroad Grant is to assist young students by helping defray the cost of studies in Italy.

ELIGIBILITY:
1. Citizenship – the candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage/lineage, having at least one grandparent or great grandparent of Italian ancestry.
2. Educational Requirements – a candidate must be currently enrolled, full time, at Montclair State University pursuing a degree. Proof of enrollment must be provided prior to issuing the scholarship award check. The candidate must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The study abroad program must be eligible for credit by Montclair State University.
3. Timeframe – the candidate must initiate studies abroad within the year of the scholarship grant; any deviation will result in forfeiture.

For an application and more information, contact Prof. Miele (mieleg@montclair.edu).

3. UNICO National Scholarship Awards

Deadline: April 18, 2023
The Italian American organization UNICO offers an array of scholarships every year through its own program. The selection process for these scholarships is run by the UNICO Foundation and is separate from that of the scholarships offered on campus. Applicants are encouraged to visit UNICO for a list of the scholarships available and individual applications and deadlines.

4. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF ITALIAN AMERICAN WOMEN

The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) offers targeted scholarships through its yearly program. The selection process for the scholarships is run by the NOIAW, and is separate from that of the scholarships offered on our campus.

For more information on the funding opportunities, applications and deadlines (read specific requirements about citizenship and heritage), visit NOIAW.

5. NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) Scholarships)

Deadline: March 1, 2023
The program offers a wide array of scholarships to students who are NIAF members or whose parents or guardians are members.

See description and application form

IV. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED ON CAMPUS THROUGH THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

1. The Margaret B. Holz Scholarship Program (approximately $500)

For undergraduate language majors studying abroad. See guidelines, deadline and application here.

2. Peter Balsamo Scholarship for Language and Heritage Study Abroad ($500-1,000)

Awarded to MSU student with financial need to study language and culture or heritage abroad. (for Summer, Fall or Spring study abroad). Deadline and Application available at: Balsamo Scholarship Guidelines

3. Anita Magistro Udell Scholarship for Language Majors ($1,000)

Awarded annually to a student majoring in a foreign language who is in financial need or identifies as an underrepresented minority, for Summer, Fall or Spring study abroad. Deadline and Application available at: Udell Scholarship Guidelines

4. Scholarships for study abroad programs offered through the Office of International Engagement

See full list of funding opportunities here

For information, contact the Office of International Engagement.