Italian Catholic Federation Scholarships

Since 1964, the Italian Catholic Federation has awarded over $2,000,000.00 in scholarships to more than 6,000 high school students, of the Catholic faith, attending college.

Each Spring, the Italian Catholic Federation receives nearly 200 applications for its yearly scholarship awards. Applications are received from students in public as well as Catholic high schools in California, Nevada and Illinois. To apply, students must achieve a total cumulative GPA (3½ years) of at least 3.2 and meet one of the following:

1. Are Roman Catholic and of Italian Descent and live within the Roman Catholic Dioceses of California, Illinois and Nevada, only where Branches of the Federation are established; or,

2. Are Roman Catholic but need not be of Italian Descent or live where Branches of the Federation are established if either Roman Catholic parent, guardian, or grandparent is a member of the “Italian Catholic Federation.

*Please note the requirement of a parent or grandparent needing to be a member for Roman Catholic students who are not of Italian ancestry. A student cannot just meet the requirement of being a baptized Roman Catholic.

Individual Members and Families who join our National Branch, from States where we are not established, are welcome members in the mission of our organization. However, for families, their children are not eligible to participate in our Scholarship Program at this time. In the States where we are not established, we do not have sources of funding for scholarships for any potential applicants and our National Branch is not set up to provide scholarships as they continue to build on the foundation and vision for this Branch.

First-year scholarships in the amount of $500 will be awarded to approximately 130 applicants. First-year scholarship winners are eligible for second, third, and fourth-year awards of $600, $700, and $1,000, respectively.

Applications will be judged and evaluated on:

• Scholastic Achievement TOTAL CUMULATIVE GPA (3½ years) and CLASS RANK
• Financial Need
• Leadership Role
• Extracurricular Activities and Charitable Efforts
• Family Membership/Activities in the I.C.F. (if applicable)

2026 First Year Scholarship ($500) Submit by April 10, 2026

Instructions for high school seniors:

1. Download the 2026 I.C.F. Scholarship Application.

2. Complete and save the application.

3. Complete the letter of personal assessment (instructions for the letter are included on the scholarship application).

4. Obtain your high school transcript (Gr. 9 to first quarter or semester of Gr. 12).

5. Send an email with your completed application, letter of personal assessment and high school transcript to info@icf.org OR you may print and mail these items to:

Attn: Scholarship Committee

Italian Catholic Federation

8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110

Oakland, CA 94621

Note: All 3 items (Application, Transcript and Personal Letter) must be submitted together. Applications without all 3 items will not be accepted. Transcript must contain grades from Grade 9 through first quarter or first semester of Grade 12).