UNICO Foundation Undergraduate Awards (Gentile, Miele, Davini, Mazza) Opening Soon
Offered by UNICO Foundation (UNICO National)
About This Scholarship
UNICO National, the largest Italian American service organization in the country, funds a group of four named undergraduate awards through its foundation: the Major Don S. Gentile, Alphonse A. Miele, William C. Davini and Theodore Mazza scholarships. A single application puts a high school senior in the running for all four, and each is worth $6,000 paid out at $1,500 per school year for up to four years.
The awards are aimed at strong students of Italian descent. Applicants need at least a 3.5 GPA and must be heading to college for the 2027-28 school year. You do not need to belong to UNICO to apply, although members' families can be sponsored through a local chapter.
There is a geographic catch. You must live in, or have a UNICO chapter or district sponsor from, one of 14 states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia or Wisconsin. Online degree programs do not qualify.
Eligibility
- High school senior graduating in 2027 and starting college in the 2027-28 academic year
- U.S. citizen of Italian descent
- Minimum 3.5 GPA
- Live in, or have a UNICO chapter/district sponsor from, CA, CT, DE, FL, IL, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA or WI
- Must attend a campus-based program; online degree programs are not eligible
- UNICO membership is not required
- Students holding an active UNICO Foundation award (including 2026 recipients) cannot apply
How To Apply
- Visit the UNICO scholarships page after the application opens on November 15, 2026
- Open the Undergraduate Awards application (one application covers all four named scholarships)
- Complete the online application and upload the requested academic records
- Submit by March 15, 2027; only recipients are notified, in late May 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a UNICO member?
No. UNICO says applicants do not need to be members, though members and their families can be sponsored through their chapters.
How is the $6,000 paid?
It is paid at $1,500 per school year for up to four years.
Can I apply if I live outside the 14 listed states?
Only if you have a UNICO chapter or district sponsor from one of those states.