Applicants must be graduating from public or private high schools in California, Nevada, and Klamath Falls, Oregon and must be of at least partial Italian ancestry. They must also be enrolled at a college or trade school for the upcoming fall semester. Applicants must also have finished a foreign language course in high school and be attending college in Italy. Selection is based upon academic performance, leadership activities, financial need, essay detailing Italian ancestry, a personal statement and letters of recommendation.