For many, scholarships are a deciding factor for attending college. This is certainly the case for first-generation students, who often don’t have the resources to keep up with the rising cost of higher education.
Scholarships and grants have been essential for Anthony Vitiello, a College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) student currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English. Now in his final year of college, Vitiello has been named the 2024-2025 Butler Waugh Scholar, competing against numerous applicants for the spot. He is set to graduate in May with a 4.0 GPA, immediately setting his sights on a PhD. In the long run, he aspires to dive into the world of academia and eventually become a professor himself.
In the face of all these major achievements, Vitiello takes pride in the fact that he has been able to attend college at all, something that was never a given.
The Road to FIU
Vitiello grew up in a low-income household in Davie, Florida. Not only was he the youngest of five siblings, but he was also diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy and single-sided deafness at a young age. His academic performance suffered in a public school system that could not adapt to his needs as a disabled student.
“I still have a lot of medical problems, but when I was a kid, they really interfered with my ability to be successful,” Vitiello said, “I had a very difficult time having success at the K-12 level, because accessibility for disabled students is limited.”
At 15 years old, Vitiello decided it would be best to drop out of high school and get his GED. Years later, he earned an associate’s degree in English, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. He was also a finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship, a prestigious award for top students from community colleges around the nation.
While he was sought after by Ivy Leagues like Cornell and Princeton, Vitiello knew he’d have to stay local as he pursued a bachelor’s degree.
“Ultimately, because of my financial circumstances—coming from a poor family—the financial utility doesn’t really exist for me to move,” Vitiello said, “Cost is a real roadblock for students like me, so what I sought to do was to find the best education available to me in my immediate area.”
Granting Opportunities
As he considered his options in South Florida, it became clear that FIU was his best bet. Not only does FIU provide high-quality education, but the university also granted him various scholarships. These awards gave him the financial support needed to help him complete school while also exposing him to unique experiential learning opportunities.
“What's cool about scholarships is that there are several extracurricular opportunities that are presented,” Vitiello explained, “The English department hosts the Butler Waugh Lecture in Literature every year. And so, what the Waugh Scholar does is pick an academic who specializes in their field of study, and they invite them to FIU to give a specialized lecture.”
Mentorship and Looking Forward
This experience has also helped shape Vitiello’s aspirations, especially as the time nears to apply to PhD programs. He has been able to connect with various faculty and staff at FIU’s Department of English, who have supported and encouraged him throughout his time at the university.
He credits Dr. Heather Blatt, associate professor, for campaigning for him within the English department as he applied for his Scholarship, as well as inspiring him as a future professor. He also credits Dr. Mark Kelley, assistant professor, for exposing him to disability studies, now one of Vitiello’s many scholarly interests.
“As a first-generation student who's never had any guidance whatsoever, it's really been eye-opening for me to get to collaborate with these faculty who have been in academia for decades and who know how the field works,” Vitiello said, “If I had to say one thing about FIU, it’s that the support that they have given me has opened these doors for me in a way that I would not have been able to open them myself.”
As his time as an undergrad comes to an end, Vitiello is beginning the process of completing PhD applications, with hopes he can make it into the next PhD cycle. Knowing how competitive PhD programs can be, he is also considering law school. FIU Department of English faculty and staff have continued to support him through this application process, helping him set course for the next chapter of his life.
“I want to extend my sincerest love, gratitude, and thanks to FIU, the FIU Foundation, and all the various committees that have extended to me the gracious scholarships I have received.” Vitiello shared, “I have no regrets about where I chose to do my undergraduate, and I could not be prouder to represent this institution.”