UNICO Scholarship Program

Scholarship Report

 

Candidates applying for the highly valued UNICO Foundation Scholarships continue, as expected, to demonstrate exceptional qualifications. The academic achievements, extracurricular activities and extraordinary community service projects of these young students are remarkable. Of special note is their understanding of and appreciation for Italian contributions to American history. All candidates are worthy of recognition in their own right. Selecting the awardees was, as usual, an extremely difficult undertaking. Congratulations to our participants. Their amazing accomplishments are truly impressive.

 

Scholarship recipients are featured in this issue of ComUNICO and on the UNICO website.

 

To ensure the integrity of our awards, judging is conducted as objectively as possible. Chaired by a Scholarship Committee member, but composed of non-UNICAN professionals, Judging Committees in separate locations evaluate entries using prescribed criteria. Mille grazie to those members who guided the judging process.

 

Joan N. Tidona, National Scholarship Director    

 

UNICO Foundation Scholarship Awardees 2025

 

Major Don S. Gentile Memorial Scholarship

Leonardo Valli  -  Alexandria, Virginia

Sponsor: McLean UNICO

Judged in New Jersey

 

William C. Davini Memorial Scholarship                                                                                                              

Joseph J. LoManto  -  Blairstown, New Jersey                                          

Judged in Wisconsin

 

Alphonse A. Miele Memorial Scholarship                                

Jenna Marie Rutnik  -  Nutley, New Jersey                                                    

Sponsor: Nutley UNICO

Judged in New Jersey

 

Theodore Mazza Memorial Scholarship

Hayden Brian Hradek  -  Republic, Missouri                                                         

Judged in New Jersey

 

Founders Scholarship in Memory of Joseph L. Manganaro

Joseph Fallon  -  Nesconset, New York

Sponsor: Islip/Smithtown UNICO                                                                 

Judged in Connecticut

 

John Alati Scholarship for Musical Arts

Daniel Angel Martinez  -  Bakersfield, California

Judged in Pennsylvania

 

Sgt. John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship

Michaela Rose Alfano  -  Haledon, New Jersey                                 

Sponsor: North Haledon UNICO                                                                                    

Kylie Faith Sciarra  -  Hawthorne New Jersey                        

Sponsor: Cedar Grove UNICO

Judged in Pennsylvania 

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Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship

Benito Elcuri  -  Middletown, Connecticut

Judged in Pennsylvania

 

Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships

Isabella Cina Benasillo  -  Harrington Park, New Jersey

Alexis Lynn Buckner  -  Blue Springs, Missouri

Cara Davies  -  Sussex, New Jersey

Sponsor: Orange/West Orange UNICO

Charlotte Christine Eriksen  -  Morristown, New Jersey

Sponsor: Rutherford UNICO

Olivia Fritz  -  Wallingford, Connecticut

Alyssa Rose Izzo  -  Montvale, New Jersey

Sponsor: Westwood UNICO

Samuel Jon Maver  -  Torrington, Connecticut

Christopher Morgan  -  Malvern, Pennsylvania

Catelyn Anne Nadziejko  -  Aurora, Illinois

Destinee Silva  -  Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Judged in New Jersey

 

DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship

Antonio Arcaroli   -  Maywood, New Jersey

Sarah Elizabeth Borruso  -  Rockville Centre, New York

Honorable Mention

Olivia Rose Aliotta  - Kinnelon, New Jersey

Richard James Padula  -  South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

Judged in Illinois

 

Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship

Julia A. Thompson  -  Point Pleasant Boro, New Jersey                                                            

Sponsor: Point Pleasant Beach UNICO

Ava Tsapatsaris  -  Eastchester, New York

Judged in New Jersey

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Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship

Michele Giuseppe D’Aquino  -  Davie, Florida

Judged in New Jersey

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Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies

Isabella Hrga  -  Sacramento, California

Judged in Delaware

 

Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship

Ethan Gregory-Joseph Vitale  -  Gibsonia, Pennsylvania  

Sponsor: Scranton UNICO

Nicholas Mirabilio Mulhall  -  Prospect, Connecticut

Sponsor: Bristol UNICO            

Judged in New Jersey

 

Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science

James Mitchell Nemitoff  -  Hawthorne, New Jersey

Sponsor: North Haledon UNICO   

Moorea Grace Santulli  -  Woodbridge, Connecticut

Sponsor: Bridgeport UNICO 

Judged in Pennsylvania

 

Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship

Talia Elizabeth Fabrizzio  -  Barnegat, New Jersey

Tilden Robert Wilder  -  Simsbury, Connecticut

Judged in Pennsylvania

 

Maria and Paolo Alessio Southern Italy Scholarship

Cosmo Salicone   -  Stafford, Virginia

Judged in Delaware

 

Inserra Scholarships

Marisa Michi  -  Chicago, Illinois

Stella Cristina Sciortino  -  Victor, New York  

Judged in Florida

 

Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education

Caitlyn Yvonne McGhee  -  Methuen, Massachusetts

Angela Sabetta  -  West New York, New Jersey

Sponsor: Greater Westfield UNICO

Judged in California

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences

Giada Bella Cucchiara  -   Kansas City, Missouri

Sponsor: Kansas City UNICO

Rachael Romaglia  -  Paramus, New Jersey

Judged in New York

 

Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies

Cabre Anella Capalongo  -  Scranton, Pennsylvania

Sponsor: Scranton UNICO

Paris Creed King  -  Tallahassee, Florida

Sponsor: Greater Orlando UNICO

Judged in Pennsylvania

 

Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Seminarian Studies

David Fernando Andrade  -  Kearny, New Jersey

Jorge Humberto Diaz, Jr.  -  Kearny, New Jersey

Joseph Daniel Grabowski  -  South Orange, New Jersey

Antonio Louis Ingargiola  -  Dunmore, Pennsylvania

Konrad Kosiek  -  South Orange, New Jersey

Michael Anthony Oasheim  -  Kearny, New Jersey

Patrick James Rasimowicz  -  Lebanon, New Jersey

Xavier James Vitus Schmidt  -  Parkville, Missouri

Evaluated in New Jersey

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Welcome to the UNICO Foundation Scholarship Program page.

 

The UNICO National mission is to promote the image of Italian Americans along with Italian heritage and culture by supporting charitable, scientific, cultural, educational, and literary projects.

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The online application process is now CLOSED for 

academic year 2025-2026.

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​Important Information When Applying 

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• The deadline to apply is April 15, 2025, unless otherwise stated.

• Applicants must reside in or have a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from one of the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, or Wisconsin. Exception: The Maria and Paolo Alessio Southern Italy Scholarship is open to applicants from all 50 states.

• These scholarships are for applicants that will continue studies within the academic year 2025-2026.

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

• Each scholarship offer is a stand-alone application with its individual specific requirements. You can apply to more than one if you meet eligibility.

• Online degree programs are not eligible for UNICO scholarships.

• Applicants do not need to be members of UNICO to apply. However, UNICANS and their family members may be sponsored through their respective Chapters.

• Only recipients are notified after the judging process is completed in late June 2025.

• If you were a recipient in 2024-2025, you may not apply for any other UNICO Foundation Scholarships while your award is still active.

• A candidate MUST initiate only one application for each appropriate scholarship. Duplicate entries will be excluded from consideration. An application may be edited, as often as necessary, prior to submission.

• Questions? Email uniconational@unico.org

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The scholarships on this page are part of the UNICO Foundation national scholarship program. Candidates residing in a community with a UNICO Chapter may also qualify to apply for local scholarships. To find out if there are any local scholarships in your area,

contact the specific chapter by going to "Find a Chapter" on this website.

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Scholarship Offerings

 

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For High School Seniors Only:

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Undergraduate Awards – With this application you will be applying for all the following scholarships:

 

Major Don S. Gentile Scholarship
Alphonse A. Miele Scholarship
William C. Davini Scholarship
Theodore Mazza Scholarship

The UNICO Foundation will grant four scholarships, each valued at $6,000, to high school seniors who will be attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States; paid out at $1,500 per school year up to a maximum of 4 years.

A candidate must:

1. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.5

2. Be pursuing college study within the academic year of 2025-2026

3. Be a high school senior at any public or private secondary school

4. Be a United States citizen of Italian descent

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Founders Scholarship in Memory of Joseph L. Manganaro

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UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant one scholarship valued at $10,000 to a 2025 High School Graduate who will be attending, full time, an accredited campus-based college/university/technical school in the United States. 

This scholarship is based on the candidate’s achievements in academic and non-academic activities. Leadership, Integrity, Work Ethic and Service to Others, will be given priority in the assessment of merit.

 A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen, at least eighteen years of age. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a 2025 High School Graduate who will be attending an accredited college, university, or technical school.  

3. Students must have an association with the local Chapter whose sponsorship is required.

 

The John Alati Scholarship for Musical Arts*NEW

 

The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant one scholarship, valued at $2,000, to a graduating High School Senior who will be attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university in the United States, pursuing a degree in the Musical Arts, including: performing voice, dance or instrumental performance.

A candidate must:

1. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.5

2. Be pursuing college study within the academic year of 2025-2026

3. Be a high school senior at any public or private secondary school

4. Be a United States citizen

 

 

​For Students "Initiating" Graduate Studies: (Students Already Attending Grad School Do Not Qualify)  

Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant two awards valued up to a maximum of $3,000 each, paid out at $1,500 per year, for graduate scholarships.

The candidate must:

1.  A senior at any public or private college/university or a graduate thereof who is initiating graduate studies

2.  Attend full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Be pursuing graduate study within the academic year of 2025-2026

4. Be a United States citizen of Italian descent

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For Students Pursuing a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy Degree:

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Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant a $5,000 scholarship, paid on award, to a senior at a campus based public or private college/university or hold a degree thereof who will be pursuing a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy degree, or is currently enrolled in an accredited medical school within the United States

The candidate must:

1.  Be a United States citizen of Italian descent

2.  Pursue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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For Students Currently Attending a Nursing Program: (High School Seniors Do Not Qualify)

 

Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships

 

The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant $2,500 scholarships to students attending accredited prelicensure or graduate nursing programs in the United States.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen.

2. A candidate must be currently attending an accredited campus-based nursing degree program in the United States, completing core nursing courses.

3. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026.

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For Students Currently in College and/or Graduate School (Please check individual scholarships for academic status requirement):   

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Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship

 

The UNICO Foundation will provide two literary scholarships, valued at $1,000 each to matriculated college students submitting an original short story or essay celebrating their Italian heritage.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen of Italian descent.

2. Be currently attending, full time, an accredited campus-based college or university in the United States

3. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship Deadline March 1*  CLOSED*

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $1,250 each, for study in Italy. Candidates must be currently attending, full-time, an accredited college or university in the United States, pursuing a degree. The study abroad program must be eligible for credit by the student’s college/university. An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian descent.

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Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant a scholarship valued at $1,250 paid on award to a student pursuing an Engineering Degree in one of the following areas: electrical, mechanical, industrial, biomedical, chemical, manufacturing, aerospace, or computer.

The candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen of Italian descent

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based undergraduate college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies

 

The UNICO Foundation will provide a scholarship, valued at $1,000, to a student pursuing a major or minor in Italian Studies or Italian Language.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based undergraduate college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Maria and Paolo Alessio Southern Italy Scholarship*Open to all 50 states

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The UNICO Foundation will provide a scholarship, valued at $2,500 to a student currently pursuing a degree.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen of Southern Italian descent, having at least one parent originating from the region of: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Latium, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia, or Sicily.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.7

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

5. Open to only college Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors

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Inserra Scholarships

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The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to students pursuing a degree.

The candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen of Italian descent

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

5. Open to Freshman through Seniors and Graduate students.

6. If you are applying as a graduate student, you must be currently attending the graduate program.

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Eleanor and Anthony DeFrancis Scholarship Fund for Natural Sciences

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UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant scholarships valued in the range of $2,500 to $10,000 to a fully-matriculating student currently attending full time, one of the following:
California Institute of Technology
Columbia University
Duke University
Harvard University
Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
New York University
Northwestern University
Princeton University
Stanford University
University of Arizona, Tucson
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Francisco
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Washington

Majoring in Natural Sciences, i.e., physics, chemistry, biology, archeology, meteorology, mathematics, astronomy, or geology. Pre-medical studies do not qualify. An applicant may be an undergraduate, or a postgraduate candidate for a master’s or doctorate degree.

The candidate must:

1. Be at least eighteen years of age and a natural born United States citizen of Italian ancestry, having at least one parent of Italian descent.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

 

Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship

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The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students currently pursuing a degree.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

5. Open to Freshman through Seniors and Graduate students.

6. If you are applying as a graduate student, you must be currently attending the graduate program.

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education

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The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students currently pursuing a degree in the field of Special Education. This includes students with dyslexia, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, behavioral problems, or with disabilities as defined under the Rehabilitation Act.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students currently pursuing a degree in the field of Therapy Sciences including students in the sciences of physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), audiology, and speech-language pathology therapy.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science

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The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students currently pursuing a degree in Physical Sciences including but not limited to Agro-Sciences, Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Physics; or in the Life Sciences including but not limited to Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Microbiology and Zoology.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship

 

The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students currently pursuing a degree in Fine Arts including the Performing Arts, Visual Arts or Technical Arts.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Computer Science Studies

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Four scholarships, valued at $1,000 each will be granted, to students currently enrolled pursuing a degree in the field of Computer Science Studies, attending full time an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States.

1. Must be a United States citizen and at least eighteen years of age.

2. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

3. Preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need.

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies

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UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to students initiating studies at, or currently attending, full time, an accredited campus-based college/university in the United States pursuing a degree in the field of Veterinary Studies.

A candidate must:

1. Be a United States citizen. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

2. Be a student initiating studies at, or currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0

4. A candidate must be at least 18 years of age.

5. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Seminarian Studies

 

Four scholarships, valued at $1,000 each will be granted, to students currently enrolled as seminarians, attending full time an accredited Catholic Seminary in the United States.

1. Must be a United States citizen and at least eighteen years of age.

2. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

3. Preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need.

4. Continue their study within the academic year 2025-2026

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