NYSOSIA Grand Lodge Scholarships

Always aware of the need for personal scholarship and the support of scholarship study, the NYSOSIA Grand Lodge has maintained a consistent financial support system for many decades. In any given year, the NYSOSIA, through the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. and the local lodges, expends some $250,000 in such support. While many local lodges sponsor their own programs, the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. has an overall state competitive scholarship process in place since 1982. The funds for the Foundation scholarship endowment, which now hovers near $1 million, has grown substantially due to the generosity of individual lodges, members of OSIA, as well as benefactors and friends. Promoting, encouraging and supporting scholarship and grant assistance has been the core piece of OSIA’s efforts to honor young collegians in their academic pursuits.

The statewide and district scholarships, and grants, established by lodges, districts or individuals are distributed on a yearly basis by the NYSOSIA Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. at the State Convention.

Eligibility

Applicant must be of Italian descent and a resident of New York State. Undergraduate and graduate awards are presented to high school or college students who will begin full-time study for the fall academic term of the year their application is eligible to apply for competition. The scholarship awards are based on academic excellence and service. Students must have an average of 85% or above to apply.

Requirements

An official application form must be completed and accompanied by the following documentation:

• Official high school or college transcript, including official results from all standardized tests. SAT/ACT scores should be included.
• Class rank and size of graduating class.
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, professors or educational administrators.
• Student essay summarizing educational and career goals, school and community service and a discussion of the significance of the student’s Italian heritage.

GRANTS

The NYSOSIA Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. also awards several grants for students with special needs. The requirements for grants are the same as noted above with the exception of the need for a minimum of an 85% average. Also, all grant applicants are required to submit a written document of special need.

Obtaining/Mailing Applications

Official applications for scholarships and grants may be downloaded online. Contact the New York Grand Lodge office for information regarding submission of your application.