Dante Scholarship Program
The Italian Women’s Civic Club is an organization that conducts philanthropic activities in the Greater Rochester Area. The IWCC administers the Dante Scholarship Program, a series of three endowed scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at the
The IWCC was established in 1919 to educate immigrant women on their newly acquired right to vote and assist them in assimilating into American life. The mission of the Club has evolved over the years and today focuses on supporting higher education opportunities for young adults of Italian ancestry.
2008 Dante Ball Scholarship Winners (left to right): Annette Moscato, Dante Scholarship Co-Chair; Rosa Biondo accepting for her daughter, Cristina Biondo; Deborah Drago-Leaf; Carolyn Fisher; Luke Lennox; David Borrelli and Rose Swiskey, Dante Scholarship Co-Chair.
Eligibility Criteria
Dante Scholarships are awarded to men and women every year to recognize academic achievement and promote pride in our Italian American heritage. Applicants must be full-time matriculated undergraduate or graduate students at one of three institutions: the
- Have academic standing as a sophomore or junior in an undergraduate degree program; or a senior accepted into a graduate degree program; or a full-time graduate student (12 hours or more) enrolled in a master’s level or doctoral program.
- Demonstrate and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent.
- Be a legal resident or native of the Greater Rochester Area, including
- Have some Italian heritage.
- Be available and willing to attend the Dante Scholarship Ball in September and participate in one IWCC event that celebrates Italian American culture.
On-Line Application Instructions
Applications will be accepted on-line only. Follow the instructions below:
- Click on the link below to complete the application form. Follow the instructions to submit your essay.
- Ask your Financial Aid Office to forward an official transcript to the IWCC Scholarship Committee c/o Donna Leigh-Estes,
- Do not send any other materials to supplement the application. They will not be considered in the review process.
- The completed application, including the transcript, must be submitted by April1, 2010. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
- Candidates will be notified of the results by mail in May 2010.
Selection Process and Scholarship Requirements
The Dante Scholarship recipients are selected from all the eligible candidates by members of the Dante Scholarship Committee, a standing committee of the IWCC Board of Directors. Awards are based on criteria set by the committee and include academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, community service and personal identification with Italian American heritage. The scholarships will be valid for the following academic year. The scholarship may only be used for tuition or graduate studies funded through the college.
Click on the link to complete the Scholarship Application on-line.