Joseph U. Bottalla Memorial Scholarship
Offered by Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans
About this scholarship
The Joseph U. Bottalla Memorial Scholarship is a 2026 Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans award for Illinois students who have maintained a meaningful connection to the Italian language and their Italian heritage. The award is worth up to $1,500, and both unsuccessful applicants and past recipients may apply in a later year. Eligible students must be Illinois residents, be at least 50% of Italian extraction, and either have completed two or more years of Italian-language study or be currently enrolled in an Italian course in high school or college. They must also be admitted to or enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education. Required materials include the signed application, a current transcript, proof of Italian-language coursework, proof of college admission or enrollment, a current photograph, and an essay of no more than 500 words answering how Italian heritage has influenced the applicant. Two recommendation letters are encouraged. Applicants must merge all materials into a single PDF and email it to jcc@jccia.com between June 1 and November 1, 2026. JCCIA expects to notify recipients by December 1, and selected students must attend its December meeting or Christmas party. The current JCCIA webpage clearly identifies the 2026 cycle; applicants who notice a stray 2025 reference inside the form should confirm instructions with JCCIA before submitting.
Eligibility
- Be a resident of Illinois
- Be at least 50% of Italian extraction
- Have studied Italian for at least 2 years or be currently enrolled in an Italian-language course in high school or college
- Be admitted to or enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education
- Submit a current transcript and proof of qualifying Italian-language study or enrollment
- Write an essay of no more than 500 words explaining how Italian heritage has influenced you
- Combine the signed application, essay, photograph, proof, and other materials into one PDF
- Email the complete PDF to JCCIA between June 1 and November 1, 2026
- If selected, attend the JCCIA December meeting or Christmas party