The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere Scholarship Program

Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere Fourth Annual Scholarship Program

Creating Opportunities for Students of Italian American Heritage
The Italian Cultural Foundation College-Bound Scholars Program includes three named scholarships, all awarded through a single application process and unified selection standards.
- The Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Award reflects Casa Belvedere’s core mission to preserve Italian American heritage while fostering academic achievement, leadership, and civic engagement.
- The Vito and Rosalia Biancardi Memorial Scholarship honors the enduring belief that education is the great equalizer.
- The Connie Profaci Scholarship honors her extraordinary life, entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, resilience, and lasting impact on the Staten Island community.
STUDENTS CAN SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ALL THREE 2026 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, ONLY ONE STUDENT WILL BE AWARDED FOR EACH SCHOLARSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF THREE RECIPIENTS OF $2,500 PER YEAR FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS, CONTINGENT ON MAINTAINING A GPA OF 3.5 OR HIGHER ANNUALLY.
PART 1: Background Information
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Name

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Email
example@example.com
Phone (mobile)

Area CodePhone Number
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
High School Attending
Attending Since (year)
Graduation Year
Current GPA
Other High Schools attended and dates (if applicable)
Casa Belvedere Sponsorship
Name the Italian Cultural Foundation member in good standing who is sponsoring your application. This sponsor may be a relative, friend, family member, or a business associate of your parent.
Honors & Achievements
List any awards, scholarships or other types of recognition of achievement you have received
Work Experience
List any full-time or part-time work experience and briefly describe your responsibilities
Extracurricular & Community Involvement
Briefly summarize your participation in extracurricular or community activities
Italian Language & Cultural Engagement
List any Italian courses taken in high school or involvement in Italian-American clubs
Have you visited Italy with your school or with your family?
PART 2: Essay
Essays must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with standard margins, and should not exceed two pages.

Essay A (Required): What does being an Italian American mean to you? Who has been your biggest influence or inspiration in embracing your Italian American heritage? How important is it to you to maintain your cultural roots throughout your life, and how do you plan to do so?

Essay B (Optional - Financial Hardship): The Scholarship Committee recognizes the financial challenges many families face in funding a college education. Please describe any financial hardship your family is experiencing that impacts your ability to afford tuition and expenses
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PART 3: Letters of Recommendation
All applicants must submit TWO letters of recommendation.

Submission: The individuals writing the recommendations must submit their letters directly to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org .

Applicant Restriction: Applicants may not submit letters on behalf of the references.

Letter Content: Each recommendation should address:
1. How long and under what circumstances has the referee known the applicant.
2. The applicant’s principal strengths and areas for growth.
3. Special qualities that make the applicant a strong candidate for the scholarship.
4. The applicant’s involvement in extracurricular or community activities.
PART 4: Official High School Transcript
All applicants must request an official high school transcript from their high school to be emailed directly to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org. The high school official must submit the transcript to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org with name of student and document in the subject line. For example: Leonardo DaVinci Transcript.
PART 5: Tax Forms
Applicants must submit the first two pages of their parent(s) most recently filed Federal and State income tax returns. Social Security numbers must be redacted before submission.

Confidentiality: All financial information will be kept confidential.
Submission: Email documents to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org
PART 6: Academic Index & Merit
Applicants must request that their attending high school or college official submit their Academic Index (SAI) Number directly to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org
PART 7: Financial Need (FAFSA)
Applicants must submit a copy of their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form as an attachment via email to scholarships@casa-belvedere.org
Upon submission, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to applicant confirming that the online application has been received.
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PART 1: Background Information

PART 2: Essay

PART 3: Letters of Recommendation

PART 4: Official High School Transcript

PART 5: Tax Forms

PART 6: Academic Index & Merit

PART 7: Financial Need (FAFSA)