Athena Study Abroad - Scholarships

The Iavagnilio Charitable Service Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a commitment to and active participation in charitable service in his or her community. Because we at Athena place a very high value on giving back to the world, this scholarship is aimed at rewarding students that have a history of taking initiative to make the world a better place through charitable service.

Michele Iavagnilio was a young man who, through his work at the Cireneo Onlus Foundation, selflessly dedicated his efforts to helping and teaching autistic children everything from the simplest everyday task of tying their shoelaces, to more difficult concepts of expressing emotions or needs. He would even go above and beyond his basic job duties by recycling his old toys to present as gifts to the children to make their lives happier and brighter. Tragically, Michele died at the age of 25 in the devastating earthquake in the Italian city of L'Aquila in April 2009.

In order to apply for this scholarship, each student should submit a reference letter from someone who can attest to the student's roles and contributions to charity work in the community. In addition to the reference letter, the student should submit a resume or essay outlining his/her experience in charitable service.

Read more about Michele

Michele Iavagnilio was born in Isernia on September 20, 1983.

As a child, Michele fostered a love for judo and soccer. He was a huge Juventus fan as well as a fan of his hometown team, Isernia.

He attended high school in Isernia and later, at the University of L’Aquila, he graduated at the top of his class in Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

After graduation, he worked as an intern for the Cireneo Onlus Foundation, which deals with helping autistic children.

His role at the Cireneo Onlus Foundation consisted of implementing individual rehabilitative programs. His job involved teaching autistic children everything from the simplest of everyday tasks (for us) such as tying shoelaces, eating or hand-washing, to the more challenging, such as expressing one’s needs or being in the company of others.

Affectionate, selfless and generous, Michele loved his job and “his kids” as he called them, often recycling his old toys as gifts to them or even buying new ones. He would print out pictures from fairytales, and he was never without candies; he was always ready to listen as his patience was boundless.

Everyone remembers him as smiling and sociable, sometimes lazy but always peace-loving and respectful to the maximum degree; he listened to heavy metal music and was a big fan of fantasy soccer.

Michele lived in Aquila for 7 years and had many friends, not the least of whom was Vittorio, his best friend, with whom he shared everything, even death. Vittorio and Michele both lived in the building that was completely destroyed by the tragic April 2009 earthquake.

The McKay Global Citizen Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate an interest in and intention to promote the concept of social justice at a city, state, national, and/or global level. Because students that study abroad become many of our world's future leaders, it is extremely important that these students consider ways to become globally competent citizens. The recipient of this award must demonstrate an initiative to give back to society, an awareness of global community, and an intent to apply the skills and lessons learned abroad to his/her future endeavors.

In order to apply, each student should construct a 500 word essay that outlines his/her interest in social justice and service programs, any previous experience with similar initiatives, as well as a description of how the skills and lessons learned abroad will be applied to future endeavors that will contribute to the betterment of society.

The Benander Academic Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a true "love of learning" in his/her major area of study, and superior academic abilities. The recipient of this scholarship can be from any academic discipline, but must be able to show a strong, demonstrated passion and success in his/her field of interest.

In order to apply, each student should construct a 500 word essay that demonstrates a love of learning, academic strengths that extend beyond (but including) the major area of study, a detailed description of the student's future professional endeavors, and a list of extracurricular activities (honor societies, leadership positions, awards, etc.).

The Penny Scholarships are available to students studying abroad at specific Athena campuses overseas. For the 2009-2010 academic year, students studying at the Rome, Italy, Tuscania, Italy and/or the Sydney, Australia campuses are eligible to apply for the Penny Scholarships.

In order to apply, each student should construct a 500 word essay that outlines why he/she has selected the specific program location that they have (Tuscania, Rome or Sydney), what unique offerings the student feels the program will offer them, and details about what the student expects to gain from studying at this specific campus and location.

Students interested in this scholarship must, in the opinion of the selection committee, have demonstrated the personal qualities that would identify them as prospective leaders of quality.

For complete Scholarship information, click here »