The Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship will be awarded to college students submitting an original short story or essay celebrating their Italian heritage. The candidate must submit an original, titled, unpublished essay or short story. Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality, literary merit and suitability for publication. Applicants must be of Italian descent. They must have at least one parent of Italian heritage. Documented and notarized proof may be requested by the selection committee, if necessary. Applicants must also reside in or have a UNICO Chapter or District sponsor from one of the eligible states. Submission of letters of recommendation is optional. If the applicant is being sponsored by a local chapter, a chapter of a family member or a local district, the applicant will be asked to provide the name and email address for the chapter or district contact for the option of attaching a letter of endorsement. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the UNICO Foundation Inc. for more information.