Description of Scholarship: The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) is proud to offer – from the Nicholas and Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship Fund-- scholarships that are awarded to persons of Italian parentage for assistance in music or education for college students who are orphans or who were raised in foster homes. Preference for scholarship awards may be given to students studying music in college beyond the freshman level. However, scholarships can be awarded for other fields of study. Preference for scholarship awards may also be given to those individuals who have been orphaned and wish to pursue their personal and professional goals of attending college. The scholarship is merit-based for students, taking into consideration the combination of academic achievement and talent.

• Primary consideration is given to music majors, but other applicants are considered and encouraged to apply.
• Competitive students should have a strong academic background, musical talent (if applied towards music major), demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to serving their Italian American community, and a resident of the State of Illinois.
• Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic merit, talent, quality of their Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) Application, commitment to their education, intended degree area, and/or other relevant factors.