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Jovia Financial Credit Union awards $50k scholarship to Oyster Bay student
Michael Biggiani II Is first to receive premier scholarship under new Jovia name; Now attends UVA to study biophysics
Oyster Bay High School’s Michael Biggiani II graduated this past semester as the class salutatorian with one of the most impressive portfolios of accomplishments, accolades and awards ever garnered by a student at the school. He can now add winning a $50,000 scholarship from the Jovia Financial Credit Union to his long list of achievements.
Biggiani, who is now enrolled at the University of Virginia studying biophysics, was chosen by the Westbury-based Jovia as its 2019 Premier Scholarship recipient, which awards $50,000 over four years to help defray the cost of the winner’s education.
For years, the credit union has made a number of scholarship programs available to Long Island students, awarding more than $1.5 million in total grants to help area families with the cost of a college education. Scholarship recipients are members (or have a parent or guardian who is a member) of the credit union. Previously known as NEFCU, Jovia is the new name of the credit union, which announced its re-branding this past week.
To apply for the annual scholarship, students need to have completed at least 50 hours of community service and a four-year overall high school grade of 90 or above.
Biggiani excelled academically, as well as athletically and musically at Oyster Bay. A seven-time All-County musician (trombone), he has performed at Carnegie Hall with his high school band, and was a three-time All-Conference tennis player. Recently, he interned at the Partners for the Future program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He also won the Xerox Award for Innovation and Technology, which recognizes students who share in the pursuit of innovative approaches and appreciation for the possibilities of technology.
“For many decades, we’ve helped our credit union members achieve their dream of higher education, and we’re thrilled to continue to do so under our new Jovia name,” said John Deieso, president and CEO of Jovia Financial Credit Union. “Our Premier Scholarship speaks directly to our commitment to education, which is at the root of our founding more than 80 years ago. We’ll continue to support many facets of local education under the Jovia name.”