About the Scholarship
The Giovina Coscia Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Giovina Coscia, a passionate educator, community leader, and advocate for highereducation access. Since its inception in 2005, the scholarship has supported undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to community service.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Enrolled fulltime in an accredited college or university.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.
- Demonstrated financial need as shown on the FAFSA or equivalent.
- Evidence of community involvement, leadership, or volunteer work.
- Applicants may be pursuing any major, but preference is given to fields related to education, social work, and public service.
Application Process
Applications are accepted once a year, typically between January 1 and March 31. The process consists of the following steps:
- Online Application Form Fill out personal and academic details.
- Official Transcript Upload a recent transcript from your institution.
- Financial Documentation Submit a copy of your FAFSA report or a letter from the financial aid office.
- Personal Essay Write a 500word essay describing how you embody Giovinas values and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.
- Letters of Recommendation Two references are required: one academic and one from a community or workplace supervisor.
- Interview Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual interview with the selection committee.
All materials must be uploaded through the secure portal at scholarships.example.edu/giovina-coscia. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
The selection committee is comprised of former scholarship recipients, faculty members, and community leaders. Applications are evaluated based on three pillars:
- Academic Merit GPA, challenging coursework, and academic awards.
- Financial Need Demonstrated need through FAFSA data.
- Community Impact Quality and depth of volunteer work, leadership positions, and personal statements.
Each pillar is weighted equally. After the initial review, the committee convenes to discuss the top candidates and selects up to 15 scholars each year.
Benefits & Responsibilities
Recipients receive a renewable award of $3,000 per academic year, payable directly to the students tuition account. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided the scholar maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continues to demonstrate community involvement.
In return, scholars are expected to:
- Attend an annual scholarship banquet.
- Participate in a mentorship program that pairs them with a current professional in their field of interest.
- Submit a brief progress report at the end of each semester.
- Volunteer at least 30 hours per year with a local nonprofit organization.
Success Stories
Since its launch, the Giovina Coscia Memorial Scholarship has helped more than 250 students graduate and enter careers dedicated to service. A few highlights include:
- Maria Torres 2018 recipient who earned a Masters in Early Childhood Education and now directs a community preschool program in Detroit.
- Jamal Ahmed 2020 scholar who completed a degree in Public Health and is currently working with a nonprofit that provides health education in rural Alabama.
- Sofia Nguyen 2022 awardee who launched a studentrun tutoring center that serves over 300 elementary students annually.
How to Get Involved
Donors, alumni, and community members can support the scholarship in several ways:
- Financial Contributions Onetime gifts or recurring donations are taxdeductible.
- Mentorship Volunteers can sign up to mentor current scholars through the programs online portal.
- Corporate Partnerships Companies may sponsor specific scholarship cohorts or provide internship opportunities.
- Event Sponsorship Help fund the annual banquet, award ceremony, and community service projects.
Interested parties can contact the scholarship office at scholarships@university.edu or call (555) 1234567 for more information.
Contact Information
Giovina Coscia Memorial Scholarship Office
Office of Student Financial Aid
123 Academic Way, Building A, Room 210
Cityville, State 12345
Phone: (555) 1234567
Email: scholarships@university.edu
