📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Club Paesano Italian American Scholarship

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1955, Club Paesano is one of the largest Italian American organizations in the Pacific Northwest. For more than 70 years, the club has promoted the Italian American experience through shared traditions, cultural events, and community engagement. Its mission is to foster a strong social network for Italian Americans in the Portland metropolitan area through participation, service, and volunteerism.

Club Paesano is proud to offer its Italian American Scholarship Program, established to recognize high school students who demonstrate a commitment to education and embody Italian American values such as hard work, diligence, and determination.

Scholarship Awards

The Club Paesano Italian American Scholarship is awarded on a one-time basis. The number of scholarships awarded each year is determined by the Club Paesano Scholarship Committee.

  • Award Amount: $1,000 per scholarship
  • Selection Process: Applications are evaluated based on transcripts, community involvement, resume, letters of recommendation, and essay submission
  • Scoring Criteria: Applicants are rated on a 1–5 scale in the following areas:
    • Leadership
    • Academic performance
    • Extracurricular activities
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Essay

Eligibility:

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be an incoming college freshman residing in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area or Southwest Washington
  • Be accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning, including universities, colleges, community colleges, or trade schools
  • Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (official transcript required)
  • Be of Italian American descent, with at least one ancestor who emigrated from Italy
  • Submit all required materials by the stated deadline

How to Apply

  1. Download the scholarship application from the Club Paesano website
  2. Complete the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader (do not fill out the form in your browser)
  3. Save the completed application and all required documents as PDFs
  4. Email your application packet to:
    📧 rchabs23@hotmail.com
    Subject Line: [Applicant Name] – Club Paesano Italian American Scholarship Application

Application Checklist:

📝 Required Documents (Save and submit as PDF)
☑️ Completed and Signed Application
☑️ Essay
☑️ Resume

📌 Follow-up to ensure the following have been submitted:
📜 Official transcripts from high school or college
💌 Two recommendations from teachers, employers, or service coordinators (provide the submission address to the recommenders)

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Process & Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
  • Recipient Notification: April 30, 2026
  • Scholarship Award Ceremony: June 4, 2026
    • Location: Club Paesano / Cedarville Park
    • Event: Polenta Dinner
  • Scholarship Term: Fall 2026 semester only
  • Decisions of the Club Paesano Scholarship Committee are final

⬇️DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PACKET

Important Instructions for Completing and Submitting the PDF Form

📌 Step 1: Open the Form
Click the link to open the fillable PDF. The form may open in your web browser or prompt you to download it directly.

📌 Step 2: Save the PDF to Your Computer First

  • Google Chrome & Edge: Click the download icon (📥) in the top-right corner and save it to your computer.
  • Firefox: Click the download arrow (⬇️) in the top-right, then choose “Save File” when prompted.
  • Safari: The form may open as a preview. Click File > Export as PDF to save it.

📌 Step 3: Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader

📌 Step 4: Fill Out the Form & Save Changes

  • Do not complete the form directly in your browser—it may not save your entries!
  • After filling out all fields, click File > Save As, then save it again with your name (e.g., JohnDoe_Application.pdf).

📌 Step 5: Email the Completed Form AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to Rick

  • Attach the saved PDF to an email.
  • Send it to: 📧 rchabs23@hotmail.com
  • Subject Line: [Your Name] – Completed CPIAS Application

🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Filling out the form in a browser without saving it separately—your answers may be lost!
❌ Forgetting to check if your changes were saved before sending.

📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026.